Soil Sealing and Hydrological Changes during the Development of the University Campus of Elche (Spain).
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 18(18)2021 09 09.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34574434
ABSTRACT
The University Miguel Hernández of Elche was created in 1996 and its headquarters is located in the city of Elche. A new campus was developed where new buildings and infrastructures have been established for over 25 years in the north of the city. The university is growing, and the land cover/land use is changing, adapted to the new infrastructures. In fact, the landscape changed from a periurban agricultural area mixed with other activities into an urbanized area integrated into the city. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the progressive sealing of the soil and the consequences on the surface hydrology. The area is close to the Palmeral of Elche, a landscape of date palm groves with an ancient irrigation system, which is a World Heritage Cultural Landscape recognized by UNESCO. The evolution of the land occupation was analyzed based on the Aerial National Orthophotography Plan (PNOA). Soil sealing and the modifications of the hydrological ancient irrigation system were detected. Based on the results, proposals for improvement are made in order to implement green infrastructures and landscape recovery that can alleviate the possible negative effects of the soil sealing in the area occupied by the university.
Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Soil
/
Hydrology
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Environ Res Public Health
Year:
2021
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Spain