
Pablo Vidal-GonzálezValencia Catholic University Saint Vincent Martyr · Hiking and Mountain Sports Research Group
Pablo Vidal-González
Ph.D
Research group on Mountain Sports: Health, Inclusion and Society
About
69
Publications
10,884
Reads
How we measure 'reads'
A 'read' is counted each time someone views a publication summary (such as the title, abstract, and list of authors), clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the full-text. Learn more
194
Citations
Introduction
My research interests are in the relation between People and Nature, mainly in Rural Areas. Immaterial Heritage, Pastoralism and Environmental Anthropology are also related to my work
Additional affiliations
Publications
Publications (69)
Introduction and objectives. This study aimed to understand and analyse the main determinants affecting the (no) spend in protected natural areas. Method. Using a total of 1.119 on-site survey data from Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, we analysed the visitor spending and identify influential sociodemographic, visit behavior, and motivational descriptors...
The main objective of this study is to compare the perceptions of the socioeconomic profile that tourism operators have about their hikers/visitors with the socioeconomic profile of hiking users in the mountains of Valencia region (Spain). A mixed meth-odology has been used. First, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs in...
Transhumance practices are a clear diachronic example of sustainable use of pastureland, taking advantage of climatic and environmental differences between summer and winter. Past uses of pastureland incorporated a more balanced use of natural resources, making it possible for local communities to exploit areas that would not otherwise have been us...
In Spain, it is possible to hike all year round, thanks to accessible natural spaces, the comfortable climatic conditions, and a national infrastructure that maintains thousands of trails. Of the entire Spanish territory, the National Geographic Institute (Instituto Geográfico Nacional, 2019) reports that 24,954,269 hectares are protected. Of this...
La sociología es una ciencia que tiene como propósito hacer pensar sobre la realidad social, analizarla críticamente, visualizar ésta desde una mirada holística, global y, a la vez, singular, que cambia a lo largo del tiempo y que es heterogénea. Pero esta mirada no es un fin en sí mismo. Los datos sociológicos son de vital importancia, porque nos...
Introducción: Existen pocos cuestionarios y/o escalas que evalúen la relación que tenemos los humanos con el medio natural y ninguno de ellos se encuentra en idioma español. El objetivo del estudio es traducir y validar la escala Nature Exposure Scale-II, la cual mide la exposición directa con el medio natural. Materiales y métodos: Estudio realiza...
Climate change is an indisputable reality, but it seems that we still consider that it does not concern us directly, as if it only affected the melting ice in the Arctic, the polar bears or the glaciers of the Himalayas.
We intend to show, through interviews with elderly people who live in rural areas and who have worked in activities in close con...
This chapter investigates the phenomenon of medieval pilgrimages to mountain shrines and their contemporary revival as postmodern physical practices in rural settings. This growth encompasses both religious and secular pilgrimages, unveiling evolving social, economic, and cultural contexts. The research focuses specifically on the unique case of we...
Resumen: Introducción: Existen pocos cuestionarios y/o escalas que evalúen la relación que tenemos los humanos con el medio natural y ninguno de ellos se encuentra en idioma español. El objetivo del estudio es traducir y validar la escala Nature Exposure Scale-II, la cual mide la exposición directa con el medio natural. Materiales y métodos: Estudi...
Transhumant practices are a clear and diachronic example of sustainable use of the available pasture land, taking advantage of climatic and environmental differences between summer and winter pastures. This more balanced use of natural resources has an ancient history and made it possible for local communities in rural societies to exploit areas th...
The plant Plantago sempervirens Crantz is very present in the East of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in the Mediterranean regions of France (Languedoc, Provence and North Corsica). It is a plant that is hardly mentioned in the classical botanical literature and we hardly have any references to its ethno-veterinary uses. However, popular traditio...
The relationship between tourism and heritage has increased exponentially in recent years. According to the scientific literature, linking heritage to tourism promotes and improves the quality of the visitor experience. The main objective of this research is to identify the main heritage elements linked to tourism and the problems that may arise du...
One of the most important systems of sheep transhumance since the Middle Ages in Spain occurred between the mountains of northern Leon and the Extremadura Meadow lands – a 500-kilometre journey on foot. We analyse here an interesting collection of thirty letters, written at the turn of the nineteenth to the twentieth century, and sent by the shephe...
Climate change is an indisputable reality, but it seems that we still consider that it does not concern us directly, as if it only affected the melting ice in the Arctic, the polar bears or the glaciers of the Himalayas.
We intend to show, through interviews with elderly people who live in rural areas and who have worked in activities in close cont...
Purpose
In this article, the authors analyse a complex social process affecting historic public paths in rural areas in southern Spain. Despite the fact that urban populations are demanding the enhancement of this type of natural heritage for tourism, sports and recreational use, some parts of the network have been abandoned or usurped.
Design/met...
Rural areas in Spain are currently suffering from a serious problem known as depopulation. One of the strategies to reverse the depopulation process is the rise of sports tourism.
The main objective of this research is to analyse the offer of hiking accommodation in order to be able to propose sports products and services adapted to the clients....
Small ruminants are suited to a wide variety of habitats and thus represent promising study models for identifying genes underlying adaptations. Here, we considered local Mediterranean breeds of goats (n = 17) and sheep (n = 25) from Italy, France and Spain. Based on historical archives, we selected the breeds potentially most linked to a territory...
Paella Valencia is a world-famous dish, originally from the Spanish region of Valencia. This is a classic ‘Mediterranean cuisine’ recipe, in which rice is the basic ingredient. It has gone from being a humble dish for farmers to being an exemplar of social gastronomy, partying and celebration. Originally local, after the strong boost from Tourism i...
Human contact with nature is more important than ever before considering the global confinement brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the increased urbanization of society, and increased rates of mental disorders and threats to human well-being. This article conveys the importance of contact with nature from three perspectives: historical, socioc...
Human contact with nature is more important than ever before considering the global confinement brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic , the increased urbanization of society, and increased rates of mental disorders and threats to human well-being. This article conveys the importance of contact with nature from three perspectives: historical, socio...
In a context of climate change, identifying the genes underlying adaptations to extreme environments is essential. Small ruminants are adapted to a wide variety of habitats and thus, are promising study models. Here, we considered 17 goat and 25 sheep local Mediterranean breeds, in Italy, France and Spain. We proposed, and empirically tested a new...
From time immemorial, transhumant livestock farmers have continued to work in the countryside, living an intense and symbolic form of social distancing. Their work consists of moving around with their herd or flock, mainly sheep, so they can provide their animals with the best pastures. This research study, using ethnographic techniques, located an...
Nature sports in general and hiking in particular have become, in our urban and post-industrial societies, a growing phenomenon practiced by millions of citizens.
The motivations and interests of this large group are varied, but they have a common element: to disconnect from stressful modern life and reconnect with nature.
National parks and other...
The Mosquera valley, in the heart of the Sierra de Espadán Natural Park, is known for being a true natural treasure, one of the best preserved and most renowned spaces in the Park. However, since the mid-19th century, this space has been profoundly altered by people making commercial use of the forest. Paradoxically, it is precisely this anthropic...
The West’s battle against meat consumption poses environmental and social consequences for communities that rely on sustainable livestock production
From year 1400 the people of Culla village perform a pilgrimage throught the mountains arriving to a mountain shrine and back to the village the second day. Rituals, history and meaning of the pilgrimage are analyse in this book, that counts with the impresive work of David Cantillo photographer
La Teoría de la Práctica es una rama de la teoría sociológica que considera que el mundo en el que vivimos está formado por las di-versas prácticas sociales llevadas a cabo, por ejemplo trabajar, comer, hacer la compra, ir al cine o hacer deporte. Por ello el objeto de estu-dio fundamental del investigador social deben ser dichas prácticas, las cuá...
Hiking is one of the most practiced sports activities in the world. Spain is a country with a great natural, cultural, artistic and intangible attraction that is experiencing a growing tourist demand associated with sport in the natural environment. Having said this, a great opportunity arises for both public and private organizations to establish...
Didactic guide for high school students on the landscapes of the natural park of the Sierra de Espadán, in Castellón, Spain
Extensive Spanish cattle ranching boasts a strong, deeply rooted tradition: the use of completely black sheep, the offspring of white mothers, as magical elements to protect flocks from bad luck. Conditions are very specific, so they are unique, exceptional animals. These characteristics make them special, sacred sheep that are kept in the herd wit...
Extensive Spanish cattle ranching boasts a strong, deeply rooted tradition: the use of completely black sheep, the offspring of white mothers, as magical elements to protect flocks from bad luck.
Conditions are very specific, so they are unique, exceptional animals. These characteristics make them special, sacred sheep that are kept in the herd wi...
Special Issue on Young People and Inequalities in Studi di Sociologia
En los últimos años se está experimentando un cambio en las tendencias del consumo turístico. Si bien en la segunda mitad del siglo XX España experimentó un boom turístico con el modelo de sol y playa, en el siglo XXI están surgiendo nuevas tendencias turísticas que tienen por objetivo el disfrutar de entornos naturales a través de la práctica de d...
El senderismo es una actividad que consiste en la realización de desplazamientos, por vías de comunicación señalizadas que no suelen estar abiertas para vehículos a motor (Gallegos y Extremera, 2010). Este tipo de actividad suele realizarse en el medio natural, aunque también exista el senderismo urbano.
Según Colorado (2001) el senderismo supone l...
The hiking is an activity that consists of the accomplishment of displacements, by signalized communication routes that are not usually open for motor vehicles (Gallegos & Extremera, 2010).
According to Colorado (2001) hiking is the quietest and least demanding option offered by the mountain. Even so the practice of hiking is not free of risks beca...
The inland areas of the province of Castellón harbour a significant number of pilgrimage routes and mountain sanctuaries dating back to medieval times. Each year, these manifestations of intangible heritage and popular religiosity welcome a growing number of participants, drawn by nature, their heritage elements, and sport. These routes have given...
Nomadic populations are undergoing a critical transformation, induced by globalization, new forms of urban life, and climatic changes, which are accelerating desertification. One of the most successful technologies introduced into their extensive cattle-raising regions is the mobile phone. This paper focus on the use of this technology in Oriental...
The Aït Arfa Guigou tribe, part of the Berber confederation of the Beni M'guild, is based in Morocco's Middle Atlas mountain range, around the town of Timahdite. The tribe is profoundly tied to sheepherding, and is nomadic, having settled in one of the mountain areas in Morocco most conducive to nomadic, livestock-related activity. In this article,...
Las vías pecuarias han sido camino de intercambios culturales y han dejado un importante patrimonio cultural, que debe ser puesto en valor y preservado.
The declaration of a new Protected Area is a decision made by political authorities which does not
always gain the consensus of the people who live in the area concerned. In this article, we will
look at the barriers in establishing a fruitful dialogue between both parties, taking as an example
the Natural Park of Puebla de San Miguel in the provin...
Rue is a plant of Mediterranean origin which is widely used by shepherds to protect the sheep. Ruta chalepensis L. and Ruta angustifolia Pers. are the species studied in this context. This article documents the popular veterinary uses of rue as well as the importance this plant has in the shepherd world as a protector against witches, evil eye, and...
Seasonal migration of livestock, ascending and descending movements of livestock to escape from the rigours of winter, meant that shepherds from the region of Teruel in Spain used to spend more than six months away from their homes. This article analyses the profound popular cultures which have been passed down from generation to generation amongst...
The author presents the process of change undertaken in the territory of a National Park, from the population's lack of understanding and fear to be stripped of their land rights to co-management involving the villages and their small councils and cultural associations in the promotion of the area, thus re-discovering an identity that was thought t...
Rural Settlement Ethnography in a Mountain Area, where life conditions were until abandoning, hard and fare away from modernity commodities, In this article, life conditions in this hamlet, where dry stone is very important. Former settlers interview offer ethnographic information.
This article analysis, through the carrying out of field work, the social structures and organisation of the extraction of cork in Extremadura and Andalucia, comparing it with the same activity carried out in Girona and Castellón. Special attention is paid to the división of labour, to the basic characteristics of this work and its transformation o...
Spanish transhumance routes are very rich, thanks to “La Mesta” in Castille and to the
transhumance phenomenon in the whole of Spain. They left a very marked trace as an important farming
activity model of past times and have also modelled the landscape. Many heritage features of great artistic
value and with impressive overall richness are also a...
The ethnographic study of shepherds and their transhumant activity has long been an área of interest for scientists and researchers, who have worked on it from different perspectives. this paper aims to illustrate the current state of the art on this topic, mainly in Spain, but also focusing on all the Mediterranean región. Other topics such as the...
El inicio de una intensa actividad corchera en la Sierra de Espadán a partir de 1862 propició la aparición de una fiesta popular al término de la recogida del corcho en la masía Mosquera, corazón del parque y la propiedad privada más grande dedicada a la explotación suberícola de toda la zona.
Shepherds from the Teruel mountains descend every year to the Mediterranean coast for the six cold months of Winter, interacting with the plain population. Year after year the shepherds came to the same places, building interesting relations with down people.
Although material evidence is scarce. it seems that the Phoenician presence at Malta. which belongs to the initial phase of Phoenician colonization. distinguishes itself from any other colony in the Mediterranean area. The Phoenician interest in this archipelago. as well as its role within the Mediterranean and its contacts with other colonies. sti...
A detailed history of Malta from Phoencian period to the end of Punic culture in the island, throught the archaeological evidences, mainly from tombs.
Questions
Question (1)
We note that more and more hikers are using Apps, social networks or other technologies to support their hiking activities. Are there differences between technological hikers and classic hikers? What do they use these technologies for? Are they useful?