The dynamics of landscape in the Aramo Range (Asturian Central Massif): Natural and anthropic processes

Abstract

The natural and anthropic processes that intervene in the landscape dynamics of the Sierra del Aramo are analyzed. Particularly, we focus on the analysis of slope dynamics and climate warming, as well as the depopulation and changes of land uses in mountain environments. The methodology has combined field work, imagery and climate data analyses, as well as demographic and agrarian sources. The depopulation and abandonment of traditional activities explain the decline of pastures. However, the intensity of the current snow avalanches prevents the reforestation in some slopes. In the Sierra del Aramo 3.7 km2 are deforested by the recurrence of such avalanches. The relevance of snow avalanches in the dynamics of the landscape of the middle mountains in temperate latitudes are revealed.