Due to the high input of salt, the sea shore is occupied by sugar cane only. High evidence of erosion. From this channel all area up to 450 m is irrigated by using pumps. The medlars, oranges and mandarins become less important and have partly disappeared because the terrain has been transformed for commercial use. Non protected vegetable production is reduced to a minimum due to declining profitableness.
Drips irrigation becomes more important.
The irrigation water is partly delivered by the irrigation channel on the 200 m - isohypsis, which enabled the change of landuse pattern in this area. The direct shore line of the Mediterranean is still occupied by sugar cane only. Figure 2 and 3 demonstrate the dynamic of the development. The intensification of the landuse has proved to be doubtful for the water resources as well as for the natural vegetation and soil conservation in this area. Population decline threatens sound highland - lowland interactions, which especially affect the functioning of the irrigation system of the coastal area, highly dependent on the proper management of the upper parts.