Sustainability

Ecosystems

Mediterranean Scrubs

Over-pasturing

One of the main causes for the drying of the soil is excess pasturing. It occurs when the pressure of the pasturing activity on an area exceeds what that area can bear. The soil, deprived of its vegetal covering, is more sensitive to atmospheric agents. As a consequence, it dries up in the summer and is washed away by winter rains. Unfortunately, people often resort to fire as a quick way to obtain pasturelands. This involves the deterioration of the garrigue and steppe Mediterranean scrub areas.