Expansion and Specialization of Agricultural Systems in Western Mediterranean Areas: A Global Analysis Based on the Two Last Census Data

The study aims to describe and interpret the agricultural system dynamics on Western Mediterranean areas in terms of occupied land crop specialization, by using available data from two last censuses. From spatial point view, we chose adopt most detailed level available, smallest administrative unit (LAU) for every involved country (Spain, Portugal, France Italy). resulting database was made about 16k records seven fields a total 112k single data. considered variables were: farm area (TFA), utilized (UAA), irrigated (IA), arable lands (AL), permanent crops (PC), grassland (PG) remaining surface (RS). LAU analysis carried out following four steps: (i) occupation systems; (ii) patterns groups UAA composition; (iii) attribution each an typology (AT), combination previous features iv) calculation synthetic indices evaluate expansion specialization LAU. Finally, distribution proposed. Results showed lowering over time TFA, PG increase IA RS. number identified ATs rising at expense their extension. This phenomenon led fragmentation within same geographical region. These changes prove that farmers’ responses driving forces acting systems have been more differentiated than past. prevailing strategy seems aim reduction whereas less marked expansion.