**5. Discussion and conclusions**

In this section, we will address the results that come from the analysis of the landuse related to vegetation changes for the Galicia region in the years 1990, 2000, 2006, 2012 and 2018.

Therefore, the results presented through the tables and thematic cartography, in the previous section are related to the characterization of the evolution of land use based on the 44 uses of the soil determined by CLC. So, as we are analyzing the Land-Use Changes related to vegetation, we will give more importance to the CORINE Land Cover nomenclature associates, not neglecting the rest.

According to **Table 5**, it seems that the increase in certain kinds of land uses such as 3.1.1. broad-leaved forest and 3.1.2. coniferous forest is compensated by the decrease of other land uses like 2.4.2. complex cultivation, 2.4.3. the land occupied by agriculture and 3.1.3. mixed forest. Nonetheless, it is advisable to execute more exhaustive study research to know it.

The previously portrayed can be validated by the observation of the thematic cartography (**Figures 4–6**, **9** and **10**).

Corroborating what has already been portrayed concerning the Galicia Region, namely climatology, the rural depopulation, are factors that contribute to the increase of the Land-Use Changes related to vegetation, namely those related to the forest [31, 41, 42].

This temporal evolution – not only at the parish level but also at the municipality level – has been influenced by the land tenure regime and, as expected, by the land management carried out. Thus, forest ownership characterized by either solely private or solely public management showed a higher incidence of more productive forest types than mixed management [34].

In addition, the demographic aspects linked to these territorial units have contributed, directly or indirectly, to these forestry changes. So, densely populated areas have increased their forestland toward woodlands for timber production, although the environmental component of sustainable forest management requires a special weight given the strong urban and population pressure. On the other hand, the area of productive forestry did not increase in highly depopulated areas (unlike other forestry regions) because the economic incentives were insufficient to promote a future owner's interest [34].

The research of vegetation-related Land-Use Changes is critical for understanding regional trends and developments [50, 51]. It was feasible to discern changes in all CLC levels in the Galicia Region from 1990 to 2018 throughout this examination.

Thus, it was credible to establish that these Land-Use Changes related to vegetation suffered some changes, characterized by increasing and decreasing periods. Some of those decreasing values are disturbing and should have special attention by the government authorities to provide preservation and conservation of these unique Galician landscapes and environments.

The changes in the Land-Use related to vegetation could be understood as a direct manifestation of human activity over natural environments [52, 53]. Therefore, the natural factors and features—i.e., geomorphology, slope, relief, soil, and vegetation,

*Analyzing the Evolution of Land-Use Changes Related to Vegetation, in the Galicia Region… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106015*

among many others— are critical for the proper organization and distribution of the territory and their consequent land uses [52]. The lack of knowledge aligned with the existence of planning conducts to the destruction of the natural resources causing a relevant (negative) impact on the local communities [54].

Therefore, the study of the Land-Use Changes related to vegetation is seen as pivotal to understanding the dynamics and tendencies of these territories as well as to provide clues for the main actors to where the efforts toward sustainable development and growth should be placed.

In the final remarks, the Land-Use Changes related to vegetation could be understood as another tool for the knowledge of the territory—assessing the past and envisioning the future.

## **6. Limitations of the study and future research directions**

Although this chapter provides some insight into the dynamics, trends, and specificities of Land-Use Changes associated to vegetation in the Galicia Region, more research is needed to uncover new variables and significant findings.

In these territories, regional policies and societal behaviors change frequently, necessitating close monitoring and new analyses of the directions and dynamics of Land-Use Changes associated to vegetation, as well as the management of sustainable development methods.

Furthermore, due to the employed CLC's minimum cartographic unit (25 hectares), some Land-Use in the Galicia Region could not be reflected in this study if these aspects were not identified. This problem would most likely be solved if newer versions of the CLC program were used, specifically the most recent one with a better resolution.

Future research on these regions may also combine cartography with protected natural spaces, their various figures, and Land-Use Changes related to vegetation through time.

## **Acknowledgements**

This publication has been possible thanks to funding granted by the "Consejería de Economía, Ciencia y Agenda Digital" (Ministry of Economy, Science and Digital Agenda) of Extremadura govern, and by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union through the reference grants GR21135, Research Group on Environment and Spatial Planning.

## **Conflict of interest**

"The authors declare no conflict of interest."
