A wide range of global biodiversity is concentrated in rural landscapes. Indeed, many wild species and natural habitats are directly or indirectly associated with agricultural systems. In turn, some genomes of wild species can contribute, on one hand, to agricultural productivity and quality and, on the other, to ongoing biological control of crop-specific pests. Thus, management of these landscapes should consider applying agricultural practices adapted to biodiversity conservation, which will also result in enhanced production levels. One way to infer the state of conservation of biodiversity in rural landscapes is through knowledge of their spatial structure, i.e., the configuration and composition of different land uses and remnant natural vegetation. This knowledge can serve to evaluate the behavior of the ecological processes associated with the above mentioned structure and to assess the integrity of the landscape and its potential biodiversity. The current spatial pattern of the landscape is the result of changes in land uses and management practices therein throughout time, essentially as a result of socioeconomic changes. Study of these changes enables us to propose future scenarios based upon the design and implementation of management policies that consider the history of the aforementioned changes. Moreover, it is interesting to note the growing interest of agricultural policies, at different levels (for example, the Common Agriculture Policy at European level), in ecological compensation measures for agricultural areas (specific subsidies) involving conservation and improvement of biodiversity. The receiving of certain subsidies depends on the correct application of feasible agro-environmental models. In this sense, spatial analysis of the landscape and changes therein can be useful for more effective conservation of biodiversity while maintaining an optimum level of productivity, which can be seen in the diverse models applied in different regions. The present study, conducted in Andalusia in southern Spain,consisted of analysing the structure of a rural landscape of olive groves, as well as the dynamics of change in land uses and land cover over a period of 50 years. The study results show a trend towards intensification of olive cultivation (mainly irrigation and increased energy inputs), a greater area occupied by these crops and maintenance of the area covered by natural vegetation and even an increase therein. As a result of these processes, the landscape has maintained an acceptable level of connectivity,diversity of land uses and spatial heterogeneity.This situation enabled us to infer a good situation for biodiversity conservation and for the potential restoration of the rural landscape studied. Our results highlight the need for an agro-environmental model at landscape-scale for the conservation of biodiversity and maintenance of a reasonable level of profitable productivity. We therefore recommend the abandonment of less productive farmland and a spatial landscape configuration based upon the ‘land sparing’ alternative. This alternative involves the persistence of remnants of useful native vegetation such as:natural or semi-natural habitats (essential for species specialised in agricultural systems); discontinuous corridors (stepping stones) and the potential restoration of native vegetation. ; This study was supported by the research project of the National Plan (R + D + i) of the Government of Spain (CSO2009-08154 2010/2013, PI Sanz-Cañada, J): Territorial Externalities in local agro-food systems: rural development, landscapes and public goods in olive oil designations of origin (EXTERSIAL). ; Peer reviewed