The “acequias de careo” of Sierra Nevada (Bérchules and Mecina rivers watersheds), Granada. Spain
Food: Ecosystems provide the conditions for growing food. Food comes principally from managed agro-ecosystems but marine and freshwater systems or forests also provide food for human consumption. Wild foods from forests are often underestimated.
Moderation of extreme events: Extreme weather events or natural hazards include floods, storms, tsunamis, avalanches and landslides. Ecosystems and living organisms create buffers against natural disasters, thereby preventing possible damage. For example, wetlands can soak up flood water whilst trees can stabilize slopes. Coral reefs and mangroves help protect coastlines from storm damage.
Habitats for species: Habitats provide everything that an individual plant or animal needs to survive: food; water; and shelter. Each ecosystem provides different habitats that can be essential for a species’ lifecycle. Migratory species including birds, fish, mammals and insects all depend upon different ecosystems during their movements.
PPT(mm/yr): 677.0
T(ºc): 13.0
Elevation of demosite: | 2000.0 meters above sea level |
Humidity: | Semi-Arid |
PETr (by year): | 0.65 |
The irrigation ditches generate pastures and maintain forest mass, supplies, agriculture and livestock
This water management system retains water in basins through the infiltration of water through the soil and aquifers, increasing the base flow of rivers in dry periods.
The soil-vegetation system retains water and regulates the temperature, nutrients input and the river flow.
Social ecohydrological system
EH Objectives
EH Methodology
Catchment Ecohydrological sub-system
Objectives
Stakeholders
Catchment Sociological sub-system
Activities