Agras cultural landscapes in Galicia and their dynamics

Abstract

The aim of this research is the analysis of the dynamics of traditional agrarian landscapes with agras field system in Galicia, so as to provide new insights on their historical-cultural value and on their spatio-temporal distribution. On the one hand, the agras field system was very dynamic, as in the past agras occupied larger areas in the region. On the other hand, we observed that despite agricultural evolution, agras showed strong inertia, as they have preserved their functionality for several centuries until the second half of the twentieth century. From this period onwards, the destructuring and loss of functionality of agras has been observed. Decline was favoured by demographic retreat and changes in the agricultural productive system. Nevertheless, we have observed a significant persistence of the agras structure, of its traditional knowledge and toponymy.