mapping units in degradation/conservation-oriented studies

the term degradation is used to specify the status of the environment. it is often associated with ‘improper use’. ‘use’ also implies environmental aspects other than physical ones and implies that the more intensive the use, the more susceptible the environment is to degradation, particularly if proper care for the environment is lacking. the question is, and has always been, how to map something which, apart from the physical aspects of landscape, is also influenced by socio-cultural and economic issues? the common approach in mapping degradation is based on indicators and the intention of this paper is to present three case studies: the tabernas-sorbas area in spain; iran (at the country level) and the pico de tancitaro area in mexico. the geopedological map is combined with the land use-based map to produce the basis for the extraction of a considerable number of indicators.