Liquorice Cultivation Potential in Spain: A GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Assessment for Sustainable Rural Development
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In the framework of the European bioeconomy, liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) represents a promising crop for sustainable agriculture due to its ecological adaptability, nitrogen-fixing capacity, and wide industrial applications. This study aims to identify suitable areas for liquorice cultivation across Spanish municipalities by integrating Geographic Information System (GIS)-based spatial analysis with a multi-criteria evaluation approach. Agronomic factors, annual mean temperature, soil pH, and water availability were combined with socioeconomic indicators including population decline, rural classification, and unemployment rate. Each municipality received a composite suitability score from 0 to 12 based on six criteria, with agronomic variables scored from 0 to 3 and socioeconomic factors assessed through binary classification. Results reveal that southern and southwestern regions, particularly Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Extremadura, exhibit the most favourable conditions for liquorice cultivation, offering both optimal environmental parameters and potential socioeconomic benefits. The study concludes that liquorice could serve as a regenerative and climate-resilient crop contributing to rural revitalization in Spain. A pilot case in Aragón illustrates its potential to promote social inclusion, repurpose historical assets, and stimulate local economies in depopulated, flood-prone areas.
Source: Sustainability
DOI: 10.3390/su172411299
Institution: CIRCE - Centro Tecnológico
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
Funder: European Commission
OpenAlex ID: W4417420796