Economic, social and environmental impact ofland consolidation in Galicia

This paper reviews the process ofland consolidation in Galicia, Spain. Economic, social and environmental evaluation have been carried out, comparing consolidated and non-consolidated areas. It is easier to measure efficiency than impact at smaller scales, because ofthe lack ofappropriate indicators or larger data records. Land use is considered an operative indicator at a larger scale, showing that land consolidation contributes to retaining farmland in agricultural use, although we observe changes in use from cropland to pasture land. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.