ENB:04:11
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SPAIN: Dr. Jos L. Rubio, Chief, Desertification
Research Unit (IATA-CSIC) in Valencia, gave a brief description
of desertification in Spain. Water erosion is a major cause of
desertification and reforestation is the major means of control.
He explained that 43.8% of Spanish territory is affected by
erosion and irregular levels of precipitation are insufficient
for rapid recovery of vegetation, once it has been eroded. One of
the major causes of environmental degradation in Spain is forest
fires. Other causes include logging, over-grazing and agriculture
in marginal areas. Reforestation has been extensively carried out
to combat desertification and more than 2.5 million hectares have
been reforested since 1940. Over the last few years there was a
sizable drop in reforestation, due to lack of cooperation by
private landowners due to a lack of incentives, criticism by the
environmental movement on the use of pine species, and the
absence of legal instruments that provide incentives. The new
national plan is attempting to remedy these problems.