The ephemeral streams of south-eastern Spain as a livelihood: an approach to the case of Almeria

Abstract

Dry riverbeds are river courses of spasmodic flow typical of arid and semi–arid environments. In the Spanish south–eastern basin, their influence on the internal configuration and articulation of the territory is determinant. The fact that water only runs through them sporadically and violently has historically placed them in a very unique position in the activities of the populations that inhabit this territory, as well as providing them with exclusive environmental and ecological characteristics. The aim of the present work is to recognize, from a holistic point of view, the social role that dry riverbeds have in the livelihood of the human communities that inhabit the Spanish Southeast, systematically categorizing and analysing the use and abuse of this part of the territory in the current times: as public space and a space of coexistence, means of communication, primary productive space, landfill, space of fear, heritage site and green infrastructure; in short, as mesological hybrid or medianza. This will allow to delimit and deepen the scientific knowledge of a concept that requires holistic approaches, offering tools for a better management of such delicate and vital spaces in the current context of global change.

Keywords

• rambla
• medianza
• cuenca mediterránea
• infraestructura verde
• sureste de españa.