In order to understand environmental issues of a particular space (Canary Islands) we decided to split up the topic in 4 branches of physical geography. The hierarchy plays an important role. On the first place we put the geology and tectonics, as the islands have a volcanic origin. As a result of volcanic rock on one hand and the climatic factors on the other, which are mainly dominated by NE-Trade-Winds, a unique landscape (geomorphology) evolved. The 3 main types of landforms are volcanic lava flows with recent basaltic eruptions, landslides and cliffs. As a consequence of geomorphology, geology and climate different sections of vegetation, that generally profits from fertile soils, can be found on the islands. Those are distributed according to altitude (vertically), orientation (horizontally). Also the human impact has to be mentioned, as agricultural landuse has altered the natural vegetation.
Universidad de Sevilla
jueves, 21 de abril de 2011
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, 21st of April 2011
SOCIAL GROUP, 21st of April, 2011
Anna Oberrauch, Nora-Csilla Vicsai, Aljaz Celarc, Carlos Alves, Jaime Jover Báez
Visit to Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava.
We started discussing about what social geography is. For our research the main question is how different groups or individuals shaped the landscape and how they interacted with each other or they work against each other. In social geography from a human ecological point of view social groups compete against each other for best space for their needs.
In the discussion we identified several interesting issues, regarding the area we have visited. Firstly we discussed the uneven distribution of population and consequently some landscape conflicts. Landscape conflicts as a result of quick society changes from agriculture society to tertiary tourism economy system, since the 60s. Secondly, and linked to that we were told about the second residence matter, from people who usually live in the capital. So we have a special landscape in La Orotava where we were able to identify the different land use distribution too: there are agriculture use, old farmers; also people moved from the coast due to the ground prices increased heavily and families from the capital coming on holidays. This is an example of how distinct social groups interact in a territory.
Our conclusion was that we will have an open-mind the upcoming days for all social issues we will cope.
RURAL GROUP, 21st of April, 2011
Today we have been to a small town called “La Orotava”. It’s a typical example of what used to be a traditional rural area in the Canary Islands. This settlement has experienced many changes through different periods which can be seen in the different type of building. The traditional houses were near the fields on the plot. The storage was located on the ground floor and the living room was on the first floor. People still live on the first floor but the function of the ground floor has changed, now these places are used for tertiary activities or as a garage, like shops and restaurants, and fields near the house are either built or they are no cultivated because there is a lot of speculation.
The terraces show how agriculture was an important activity in the past. By this system the local farmers managed to use more space for agricultural activities. Now the Island is losing his agricultural areas in favor of urbanization. This could cause massive problems in future because food supply will be insufficient. The landscape is transforming from a rural to an urban one.
ECONOMY GROUP, 21st of April, 2011
The economy of the islands was based on three fundaments:
1. number and quantity of resources available on the island;
2. comercial realtions with other continents;
3. number of inhabitants.
During the history there were regular crises in each century:
1. sugar cane: it was exported to Europe, the crisis emerge when the production of Cuba become cheaper (16th century);
2. vineyard: exportation to England, it's destroyed because of the sickness filoxera (19th century);
3. bananas and tomatoes: because of more competent, cheaper production of other countries (19th, 20th century);
4. tourism: it emerged in the 19th century with high quality tourism, later in 50s and 60s of the 20th century due to the Marshall plan started the massive tourism. The prices of the flights were going down, because the number of tourists was increasing. In the past few years there was a crisis, because the demand was lower than the offer (due to the mass construction of hotels) and the tourist focus is only on the south of the islands (better weather, because of that in the north the quality is going down). Recently it started to recover, mainly because of the conflicts in the countries of north Africa.
lunes, 11 de abril de 2011
jueves, 7 de abril de 2011
Photo album in facebook: sea of clouds
Weather forecasting
Cartographic links (wms servers)
Most commonly used websites:
http://www.grafcan.es/ : Government-owned corporation of Canary Islands in the field of Cartography
http://www.idecan.grafcan.es/idecan/es/inicio.html: Grafcan’s SDI (Spatial Data Infrastructure) Catalog
http://visor.grafcan.es/visorweb/: Web viewfinder for the whole Cartography that Grafcan offers. Español, Português, Français, English and Deutsch are the languages in which you can see the basic information
http://www.idee.es/show.do?to=pideep_pidee.ES Official spanish website for Spatial Data Infraestructure/SDI (Infraestructura de Datos Espaciales/IDE), Apart from the four official Spanish languages they offers Português, Français and English
http://atlastenerife.es/TeIDE2/Principal.do;jsessionid=0DDF256AD3683200BA0D0E7B23510E78 Official cartography website for the island of Tenerife. Cabildo of Tenerife
http://www.idegrancanaria.es/ Official cartography website for the island of Gran Canaria. Cabildo of Gran Canaria
Other interesting websites:
http://www.redmic.es/ : Government-owned corporation of Canary Islands in the field of marine Cartography, specially SDI
http://212.64.170.45:81/redmic/ Redmic’s viewfinder
Join us in Facebook
miércoles, 6 de abril de 2011
Schedule
20th April, Wednesday. Arrival at Tenerife Sur airport. Accommodation in Puerto de la Cruz and welcome dinner.
21st April, Thursday. Visit to Puerto de la Cruz: historic core and recent urban processes. Visit and meal in La Orotava. Guided visit to La Laguna.
22nd April, Friday. Visit to Teide National Park and Interpretation Centre. Route 4 (four hours).
23rd April, Saturday. Anaga Mountains: Interpretation Centre. Taganana – Benijo. Meal in San Andrés. Teresitas Beach.
24th April, Sunday. Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Agaete (overview of a bananas cultivation area and explanation of process of abandonment and urbanization experienced in the last fifteen years). Visit to Bandama’s volcanic caldera. Villa de Santa Brígida and San Mateo. Accommodation in Playa del Inglés.
25th April, Monday. Playa del Inglés (gradient tourist resort). Maspalomas sand dunes. Lunch. Melonera’s Coast.
26th April, Tuesday. Route along the southern midlands of the island: area of dams, including explanations about the geological nature, the hydropower project underway, the harshness life in the Island south side and on the tops as well as the formations of ‘Pinus canariensis’. Meal at Tamadaba’s pine forest.
27th April, Wednesday. Work in groups.
28th April, Thursday. Work in groups.
29th April, Friday. Work in groups.
30th April, Saturday. Work in groups. Two presentations in the afternoon.
1st May, Sunday. Presentations in the morning. Agaete – Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Accommodation in Puerto de la Cruz. Farewell dinner.
2nd May, Monday. Flight back home.
Detailed maps: La Laguna
Urban Planning 1:10.000 
