Landscape Management and Wetland Protection in Agricultural Environments: Insights from the European Landscape Convention in the Baetic Countrysides

In European rural landscapes, particularly those intensively transformed by agricultural activities, the coexistence of high-value natural areas—mainly wetlands—represents a critical challenge for sustainable land planning. Following the principles of the European Landscape Convention (ELC), which promotes the protection, management, and planning of landscapes in all their forms, this study examines the role of planning and management strategies in the conservation and transformation of agricultural landscapes in wetland areas in the Guadalquivir Basin, Andalusia. This research examines how public policies and landscape integration in land planning have shaped ecosystems, promoting sustainability, preserving traditional agricultural landscapes, and naturalizing abandoned farmland. Using various sources and fieldwork, it highlights key changes, achievements, and challenges, stressing the need for holistic, community-driven approaches aligned with the ELC’s guidelines. This study offers an innovative perspective on the interaction between environmental conservation and agricultural dynamics, highlighting the importance of integrating wetlands into active landscape planning, not only to ensure their protection but also to optimize their ecological, social, and economic functionality within the European rural context. The study contributes to the operationalization of the European Landscape Convention, particularly through its emphasis on participatory governance (Articles 5 and 6) and the integration of landscape concerns into spatial planning.