Quality Analysis for Conservation and Integral Risk Assessment of the Arribes del Duero Natural Park (Spain)

The environment is being affected by the great development of human activities, which is why, in recent years, the need to protect the environment has increased, through the carrying out of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Within this assessment, environmental geology constitutes an instrument for territorial and urban planning based on the analysis of conservation and the integral analysis of risks, obtaining cartography that can be useful in territorial and regional planning strategies. The methodology carried out in this article consists of applying a multi-criteria analysis in territorial planning, combining vector and raster data. This novel, low-cost, and effective methodology assesses conservation areas and risks, using map algebra and network analysis to identify priority areas and facilitate decision-making in a precise and quantitative manner. This analysis has been carried out in the Arribes del Duero Natural Park, which stands out as a place where numerous environmental values coexist, i.e., geological, geomorphological, and edaphological, forming unique landscapes. With regard to the results obtained, the cartography of conservation quality classifies the territory into four categories according to its degree of conservation: very high, high, low, and very low quality. The integral risk cartography identifies the areas with the greatest geological risks, such as erosion and landslides, and establishes limitations for land use. Also, by integrating both cartographies, it is determined which activities are compatible with each zone, considering both conservation and risks. Finally, it can be concluded that the cartographies obtained are useful for efficient land management, protecting the environment, and allowing human development in a controlled manner.