The council restore more than 300 Gaviotas (earth covered walls) on the ‘Agua de Bueyes’ basin

The Agricultural tractor and Machinery Works Department have been recovered a growing area of 328,722 m²

The Department of Works and Machinery Cabildo is completing at this time a campaign to restore traditional farming structures that, after nine months of work, has enabled us to recover more than 300 Gaviotas in the ‘Agua de Bueyes’ basin (Antigua), enabling to cultivate an area of 328,722 meters squared.

The work of agricultural tractors Corporation began last June 2009, running since a detailed work plan contained within the project "Beautification of the natural environment of Fuerteventura ', which drives the Cabildo Infrastructure area in this and other areas of the island and which protects the counselor Natalia Evora.

The town of Agua de Bueyes are in a privileged environment of plant biodiversity, which brings together the indigenous flora that grows so wild valleys and hillsides which develops associated with traditional crops, most people care the people.

Natalia Evora, Minister for the Environment, Agriculture, Livestock and Fish of the Chapter, discussed the comprehensive plan of improvement that the Department of Works and Machinery has been doing in recent months in areas such as Guisguey, The Times and The Matilla, having previously also worked in former farming areas of El Cardon, The Wall or Tiscamanita.

"The abandonment of traditional agricultural structures may pose an added risk of desertification for the island territory. The moat, as an element in the field, serving as a raft that helps keep rainwater while preventing run-off and favoring the enrichment of aquifers, "says Natalia Evora.

Jobs. Each agricultural tractor and Machinery Works Department may recover an average of three topsails every day. His work consists mainly of the trastones reset (the earthen walls of the Gaviotas) and fix the gates (opening left in the structure of the moat as a result of spillover). The other two basic elements of the moat are the drains or overflows (which can evacuate the moat when the water reaches a certain level, preventing the collapse of the trastones) and around (Opening to catch the water).

Steers Valleys Water. The Agua de Bueyes environment develops an interesting network of valleys and slopes, among them recognize the Valle de La Vega La Vieja, Garden Valley, known as the Valle de Pena Blanca, or the Valley of the Scribble, which the latter begins across the mountains of Betancuria system and following its course (with names), ends on the east coast in the town of Pozo Black.

Topsails

The system of 'Gaviotas' tradition dating back to grain farming in Fuerteventura, probably North African influence. In the more arid islands of the archipelago and in the arid leeward islands wetter, we developed a culture system 'Graviotas', which helped to optimize the utilization of rainfall for a better yield from agricultural land. This system is preserved today in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote in certain points.

No references are available for the start of cultivation in a 'Gaviotas' in the Canaries, because in the sixteenth century notarial and we talk about Gaviotas, are 'vegas', which suggests that the introduction is later and perhaps could be related to the arrival of the first slaves from the 'raids or rides' on the African coast next. Do not forget that for many years there was a large presence of Berber population in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

The Gaviotas can be seen as an important system that increases the biological productivity of the land through sustainable use of soil and water, contributing to biodiversity conservation.

The structure of the topsails to create enclosed by dry stone walls in case of uneven or trastones higher ground, building on the banks of the gullies and slopes. This will intercept runoff laden with sediment and are likely to cause serious erosion. This water will be retained in the topsail depositing the fertile land they carry. The enclosure will be increasing as the years pass and increase soil strength of the moat.

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