Spain’s wetlands are among the ecosystems most threatened by climate change. In recent years, more than 40% of their surface has disappeared, and the extinction rate continues to climb by over 1.5% annually. Drought remains a dominant driver, but excessive groundwater use and high water extraction compound the problem. Today, about 80% of Spain’s wetlands are considered to be in an unfavorable state of protection.
In its report Current status and perspectives for the conservation and restoration of Spanish wetlands until 2030, the Ministry of Ecological Transition states that Spain preserves at least 2,000 wetland heritage sites. Of these, 75 are listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. The convention aims to conserve and use wetlands wisely through national action and international cooperation to support sustainable development worldwide. This places Spain among the nations with the most Ramsar wetlands, behind the United Kingdom and Mexico, highlighting the country’s rich yet vulnerable wetland tapestry [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
40% disappeared
Vanessa Sánchez, coordinator of the Global Nature Foundation’s Wetlands4Climate project, notes that about 40% of Spain’s wetlands have vanished over the years, marking these ecosystems as among the most affected by drought and low rainfall [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
Valencia Albufera — photographed by Pixabay — is one of the many wetlands facing pressure that threatens its ecological balance.
But drought is not the sole cause. Overuse of groundwater, which sustains water supplies for wetlands, combined with agricultural and livestock pollution, fertilizer overuse, and improper industrial waste discharge, accelerates the loss and degradation of these habitats [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
Doñana National Park and Daimiel Tablas National Park are currently on the Montreux List of Threatened Wetlands, part of Ramsar’s protection. The list aims to shield wetlands that face serious threats from human activity. In these sites, irrigation and overextraction of water amid drought are among the primary hazards [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
In Spain, more than 45% of aquifers are at risk, Sánchez explains, caused not only by excessive extraction but also by pollution and intensive livestock farming [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
Ebro Delta, Doñana, Daimiel, Mar Menor…
Along the coast, the Doñana complex and the Daimiel Tablas face pressures from agricultural runoff and urban demand. The MITECO report links the Ebro Delta issues to reduced sediment supply, rising sea levels, and more frequent major storms. These dynamics affect habitat stability and sediment balance, amplifying coastal and wetland vulnerability [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
Evolution of the Moral Lagoon in Doñana is documented by CSIC, illustrating how changing conditions threaten long-term viability of these ecosystems.
The Global Nature Foundation is among several private bodies actively working to protect and restore wetlands. Antonio Guillem, the foundation’s wetlands manager, emphasizes that these environments are among the planet’s most productive for biodiversity due to the diversity of species they support [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
Wetlands are among the most productive areas for biodiversity because they host many species.
Guillem notes that wetlands are evolving as the water cycle shifts with rising temperatures and climate change. He stresses that the problem is not limited to drought; the cycle itself is lengthening and temperatures are climbing, which compounds ecosystem stress and reduces water reserves. This affects not only the wetlands but the many plant and animal species that rely on them as habitat [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
Some wetlands in Spain naturally dry in summer due to the Mediterranean climate, as Sánchez observes. The real concern arises when this dry period extends systematically over time and becomes the new norm [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
The water cycle is changing
The aim is to preserve the water cycle of these ecosystems to mitigate the growing drought impact. Sánchez explains that water transfers, pipelines, and any actions altering this cycle can have negative consequences: aquifers may fail to recharge, rivers lose ecological flow, and wetlands dry up. Without nearby water sources, these ecosystems cannot recover and may disappear [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
The cycle enables rainfall to recharge aquifers. When contamination or overuse disrupts this cycle, wetlands lose their resilience and function [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
Irrigation in Doñana is cited as an example of how agricultural demand drives water overuse, impacting wetland health. Sánchez notes that illegal water extraction in some cases also requires monitoring and enforcement [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
Overexploitation of aquifers occurs when irrigation is allocated without considering climate change projections. This oversight can accelerate the decline of wetlands and the aquifers that feed them [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
“You can’t grow liters of water anywhere”
Sánchez describes the situation as a new paradigm, marked by longer droughts and higher temperatures. She advocates changing hydrological planning and adaptation approaches within the agricultural sector. Guillem agrees, stressing the need for prudent water management and long-term planning that inventories available resources. The idea is to avoid creating a situation where water becomes scarce for wetlands or irrigation [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
Persistent drought and heat require adaptive measures that prevent further ecosystem overuse and water cycle alteration. The goal is to maintain rivers with adequate flow and wetlands in good conservation to ensure aquifer recharge. Without that balance, the system can become overexploited or polluted, leaving wetlands and irrigation without sufficient water [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
These ecosystems are life-givers for the planet, capable of stabilizing environments and supporting biodiversity. They store carbon in sediments and soils, acting as important buffers in a warming world. If conservation declines, wetlands can emit potent greenhouse gases like methane, accelerating climate change. Yet when healthy, they function as natural sponges during floods, helping ecosystems adapt to climate shifts [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].
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Note: The information reflects ongoing assessments by environmental bodies and research groups dedicated to safeguarding Spain’s wetlands and highlighting their essential role in climate resilience [Citation: Global Nature Foundation].