El impacto de la ganadería y la agricultura en los ecosistemas terrestres.-The availability of water in ranches of mediterranean type climate

Abstract

ABSTRACT A preliminary study on water resources for livestock rearing in SW Spain is presented. The objectives of this work were to assess the availability of water for domestic animals in farms and to explain whether water shortages are controlled by environmental factors or are also related with land management. The study was carried out in 54 private farms of wooded and treeless rangelands in Extremadura. Field work, digital topographic maps and aerial photographs were used to assess the potential hydrological resources of each farm. The water needs of livestock were estimated considering the number and species of animals per farm, as well as other factors influencing their water consumption. Furthermore, semistructured interviews were carried out in order to gather information about water management. Results indicate that almost 20% of the farms suffer problems of water availability in summer and almost 50% during droughts. Different solutions are adopted by the farmers, including construction of infrastructure, bringing water from outside or moving the animals to other areas. Data indicate a positive relationship between problems of water supply and the degree of aridity. Data also point to a relationship with water consumption by livestock and the availability of water by artificial ponds.