Understanding the landscape of the Colares river hydrographic basin

Abstract

The landscape of the hydrographic basin of the Colares river has strong aesthetic and environmental potential, while at the same time being subject to a marked risk of flooding. Strong demographic pressures, and the impact of tourism, make matters worse for such vulnerable landscapes. This study seeks to establish a typology of environmental awareness, based on identifying representative attitude and behaviour patterns which reflect the degree to which local residents and users of the region are environmentally integrated. The methodology used is the questionnaire-based survey, to which the statistical technique of factorial correspondence analysis has been subsequently applied. The results obtained make it possible to outline action guidelines which may be useful for planning, for school activities, and for recreational leisure purposes.