The Socio-Environmental Survey: a tool for an integrated study of protected areas. The case of Sierra Sur de Sevilla and Sierra de Cadiz

The declaration of Protected Areas has frequently led to conflicts with local populations because of nature conservation management. In response to this reality new methods and strategies are emerging that are looking for a better integration of the social component in Protected Areas. This article shows the results of a Socio-Environmental Survey (SES) conducted during the elaboration of a Protected Area proposal for the Andalusian Protected Areas Network in the Subbetic agricultural "campina", between Seville and Cadiz provinces (Southern Spain). Based on the data obtained, the application of the Protected Landscape figure (type Category V of IUCN) associated to an open participatory management model is proposed and discussed.