Analyzing the Patterns, Trends and Dynamics of the Land-Use Changes in Azores Region: From 1990 to 2018

Rui Alexandre Castanho, José Manuel Naranjo Gómez, Gualter Couto, Pedro Pimentel, Áurea Sousa and Maria da Graça Batista
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Rui Alexandre Castanho: School of Business and Economics and CEEAplA, University of Azores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
José Manuel Naranjo Gómez: CITUR-Madeira-Centre for Tourism Research, Development and Innovation, 9000-082 Funchal-Madeira, Portugal
Gualter Couto: School of Business and Economics and CEEAplA, University of Azores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Pedro Pimentel: School of Business and Economics and CEEAplA, University of Azores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Áurea Sousa: Faculty of Sciences and Technologies and CEEAplA, University of Azores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Maria da Graça Batista: School of Business and Economics and CEEAplA, University of Azores, 9500-321 Ponta Delgada, Portugal

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: The remarkable richness and singularity of the Azorean Region (located 38° North) and its landscapes require a sharp, well-defined, and comprehensive planning policy. Bearing in mind the significance of this issue in the enlightenment of sustainability, planning strategies should be based and supported by different studies and thematic domains to understand the problem thoroughly. Using GIS (Geographic Information Systems), the present article enables us to identify the dynamics and patterns of the evolution of the Land-Use Changes in the Azores Region from 1990 to 2018. In aggregate, the Azores islands showed growth in artificial surfaces and forest and seminatural land-uses by essentially decreasing agricultural areas—most resulting from the economic and social development strategy pursued by several Azorean governments. Moreover, this study permits us to reinforce that the Azores Archipelago’s land-uses has undergone multiple changes—marked by increasing and decreasing periods. In fact, some of these reducing dynamics are disturbing. They require closer monitorization by regional government actors to give protection, preservation, and conservation to these incomparable ultra-peripheral landscapes, environments, ecosystems, and the region as a whole.

Keywords: Azores islands; Land-Use Changes; regional studies; sustainable planning; territorial planning and management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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