This paper analyses the interdependence between environment and society in terms of socio-ecological webs, in which human and biophysical systems are linked. A quantitative model, based on canonical correlation analysis applied in Fuerteventura Island (Canary Archipelago), detected indicators of human–landscape relationships and predicted potential shifts based on simulated environmental changes. In the last few decades, the landscape of Fuerteventura Island has changed: natural components and cultural agrarian uses have decreased, while the population has increased due to immigration, mainly from mainland Spain and other European countries. The island shows a transition from a coupled local socio-ecosystem to one based on the interaction between environment and coastal tourism that decouples native inhabitants from the landscape and traditional land-use practices. As vulnerability and adaptation to climate change represent critical sets of potential interactions in Canary Islands, a model and a map of the socio-ecological system under four Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenarios show rural decoupling through ‘deagrarianization’ and ‘deruralization’, as well as stronger links to the tourism system.

With some exceptions, local populations’ opinions are not considered sufficiently important in developing policies related to protected areas (PAs), despite their recognized effect on conservation and management. This paper surveys the views and the activities performed by residents living inside or near the 10 PAs of the densely-populated, industrialized Autonomous Region of Madrid, with a view toward better informing their management. The degree of knowledge, perception of conservation state, activities performed inside them and stated importance were assessed, and the hypothesis that the economic valuation of PAs had decreased between 2006/2007 and 2009 as a result of Spain's economic crisis was tested using the contingency valuation method. Local populations valued PAs highly, despite their limited use of them and their moderate perception of the conservation state of these areas. The objective valuation of PAs (measured by three economic variables) remained high among the local populations at the peak of the economic crisis (assessed by the gross domestic product growth), although declared economic support for PAs had significantly shifted towards a ‘pay per use’ scheme.