Spain is in the phase of ‘sharpening’. 75% of national territory desertificationaccording to various studies and arid climates galloping every yearAs just reported by AEMET. Meanwhile, the level of the reservoirs continues to drop despite the first rains, which does not prevent them from being currently only 33.5% full.
The arid climate in Spain has progressed at a rate of about 1,500 km² per year since the middle of the 20th century; this is equivalent to the expansion of the province of Malaga in five years.To the detriment of temperate climates, according to a study by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) on arid lands.
Aemet’s spokesperson, Rubén del Campo, explained at a press conference to present seasonal forecasts for autumn and climate analysis for summer, that “a rise in temperatures and a slight decrease in precipitation” in Spain in recent years has led to an extension. Arid climates in our country
It is estimated that since the mid-20th century, this type of climate has doubled its extension in Spain and is more concentrated in Castilla-La, south of the Community of Madrid, at more than 1,500 km² per year. Europa Press reported Mancha, a province of Badajoz in eastern Andalusia, southwest of Castilla y León and around the Ebro depression.
Precipitation has decreased by 12% since the 1950s
While it has been confirmed for Del Campo that greenhouse gas emissions cause a rise in global temperatures, and in Spain this warming has been around 1.4 degrees Celsius since the 1950s. During the same period, the amount of precipitation decreased by about 12%.
Finally, the spokesperson observed that arid climates are also associated with less water availability for plants, as a result of less contribution from higher evaporation and less precipitation due to higher temperatures.
According to the last few reports and75% of Spain is already at risk of desertification. According to research by Greenpeace and WWF, three-quarters of our land is already arid or semi-arid lands that are at risk of desertification. Among the main causes are drought, field abandonment, human overuse of aquifers or fires. Last year, the fire devastated 51,000 hectares. By August 2022 alone, the flames had destroyed about 223,000.
Reservoirs continued to drop last week
Meanwhile, the latest data on water availability remains alarming. Despite the rains in the last days, the water reserve has decreased for another week and stands at 18,810 cubic hectometers, or 33.5% of its capacity with 399 cubic hectometers less water than the previous week.
Rains last week “significantly” affected the entire peninsula, with the greatest accumulation occurring in Navacerrada (Madrid), where 72.8 liters per square meter accumulated, according to data from the Ministry of Ecological Transition. Ef.
According to the hydrographic basins, the worst data for reservoir water are reflected in Guadalquivir at 20.6% and in Guadiana and Guadalete-Barbate, both at 23.8%; On the other hand, the basins least affected by water scarcity are Basque Country with 71.4%, East Cantabrian Sea with 67.1% and Tinto, Odiel and Piedras basins with 65.5%.
For example, other basins such as the Ebro have 38.5%, Tagus 36.4% and Duero 33.5% of their total capacity.
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