TRADITIONAL PASTURE BASED LIVESTOCK FARMING SYSTEMS SUPPORT IMPORTANT BIODIVERSITY VALUES AND ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES. THESE SOCIECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS ALLOW FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF TOP SCAVENGERS AND THE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (ECONOMIC AND ENERGETIC) THAT THEY PROVIDE TO STAKEHOLDERS AND THE SOCIETY.

"SPANISH VITICULTURE CONSTITUTES A VERY RELEVANT ECONOMIC SECTOR, WHICH HAS ENHANCED THE CONSTITUTION OF MANY RESEARCH TEAMS ON THAT SUBJECT. HOWEVER, THE DEGREE OF COORDINATION AMONG THEM IS FREQUENTLY SMALL, MAKING THAT EVERY GROUP DOES NOT BENEFIT FROM THE ACTIVITY AND RESULTS OF THE OTHERS DUE TO LACK OF COMMUNICATION, STANDARDIZATION AND SHARED DATABASES.

THE NECESSITY OF A PRODUCTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IS ONE OF THE EIGHT CHALLENGES OF THE SPANISH SOCIETY ACCORDING TO THE SPANISH R+D+I PLAN DUE TO THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPORTANCE OF THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. THE CONCEPTS OF SUSTAINABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ARE NEEDED WHEN SOCIETY LOOKS TO THE FUTURE. NEVERTHELESS, THERE IS A LACK OF DEFINITION WHEN MEASURING SUSTAINABILITY WHICH SHOULD BE REDUCED. IN THIS CONTEXT, THE DESIGNING OF A SUSTAINABILITY INDICATOR CONSIDERING A LIFE CYCLE APPROACH OF THE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS IS PROPOSED.