LANDSCAPE CHANGES AS VISIBLE INDICATORS IN THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL-PROCESS OF SOIL-EROSION - A CASE-STUDY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OFPUEBLA-DE-VALLES (GUADALAJARA PROVINCE), SPAIN

This paper proposes a methodological approach to data gathering as a s ound basis for understanding land degradation processes, breaking down barriers of distrust between Government officials and land users, and promoting participation in planning for soil and water conservation. It examines how landscape changes, of value as indicators of erosion, are perceived by land users and can be used in planning. It is propose d that the participation of land users in the construction of question naires, data gathering, analysis and writing up of the findings are ex amples of the participatory initial stages in planning.