The Central Huerva Valley (Zaragoza, Spain):A Part of Sahara in Europe

Summary

The combination of mediterranean climate with limestone and gypsum rocks creates a very arid environment in the study area. Vegetation consists of dwarfscrubs where dominate Genista scorpius, Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis (Romero) and the grass Brachypodium ramosum of a very low nutritive value. On the “gypsum rock” grow the above mentioned plants as well as specialized dwarfscrubs such as Salvia lavanduli-folia and Linum suffruticosum. Main land uses are: cultivation of wheat on the flat areas, vines and almonds on the smooth slopes and grazing on the steeper slopes. Erosion is accelerated. Productive potential is very low and it cannot be increased significantly with the usual improvements (anti-erosion action, irrigation). The possible effects of alternative land uses in a context of carefull environmental management are discussed.