ASSESSING EROSION RISKS IN THE GYPSIFEROUS STEPPE OF LITIGIO (NE SPAIN) - AN APPROACH USING GIS

The gypsiferous steppe of Litigio in NE Spain constitutes an enclave o f great environmental interest. This characteristic badlands landscape represents a unique semi-arid steppe within Occidental Europe. The ec osystem is very fragile, soils are skeletal, poorly developed and pron e to erosion. The xerophytic vegetation is scarce and overgrazing make s its natural regeneration difficult. These physiographic conditions; along with the semi-arid climate and anthropogenic impact, may lead to desertification. Land evaluation is a first step for land use plannin g and landscape conservation. A raster-based geographical information system was used to integrate the database and to qualitatively assess erosion risks by combining soil types, land classes, land use and slop es. The land use proposed limits agriculture and forestry to specified areas on the thematic maps. Areas vulnerable to erosion are also iden tified for best landscape conservation. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limite d.