Authors: RAFAEL SÁNCHEZ1, MANUEL OÑORBE2, Mª JOSÉ VIÑALS3
ENVIRONMENTAL WATER REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN SPANISH RAMSAR WETLANDS CENTRO ESPAÑOL DE HUMEDALES / SPANISH WETLANDS CENTER BACKGROUND
PILOT AREAS
Spain has a large wetland natural heritage, both for the richness of ecological types and the diversity of species they support. Some Spanish wetlands ecological types are unique in Europe: E.g. Marjales (fresh water coastal marshes) or ramblas (dry fluvial beds). Indeed, Spain hosts one of the world's biggest Ramsar’s list. Unfortunately, as well as being some of the most biodiverse and valuable ecosystems, wetlands are threatened by numerous pressures in the world arising from agricultural intensification, pollution, major engineering schemes or urban developments.
So far the Spanish Wetlands Center has established agreements with two of the main Spanish Water Basin Agencies: Jucar Water Basin Agency and Guadalquivir Water Basin Agency. The project is being conducted at Ramsar Sites included on this Water Basins.
The most significant threats to wetlands in dry regions originate by the reduction of water supplies. Over-abstraction for agricultural, domestic and industrial uses or changes in land use has frequently lowered groundwater levels and led to drying up wetlands. In 1995, the European Environment Agency (EEA) estimated that around 25% of the most important wetlands in Europe were threatened by groundwater overexploitation. The increasing demand for water to support growing human population creates significant challenges to drive and achieve sustainable water resources and protecting aquatic ecosystems. An essential first step is to know the amount of water needed to enable these ecosystems to maintain their ecological characteristics. Maintaining or partially restoring important characteristics of the natural flooding regime (ie. the quantity, frequency, timing and duration of flood events) in order to maintain specified, valued features of the wetlands is the concept known as environmental flows. The work of scientists and experts involved in the calculation of environmental flows has increased substantially in recent decades, offering an extraordinary evolution in concepts and analytical techniques. Despite this progress, still lack a strong consensus among scientists and managers to adopt a methodological approach fully satisfactory
LEGAL FRAMEWORK From a legal perspective, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) is the new scenario for the improvement and sustainable uses of European aquatic ecosystems, specifically establishing protection goals. Good ecological status is the general requirement to maintain or restore all bodies of water in the European Union. In terms of the WFD, the hydrological regime plays a supporting role in the achievement of environmental objectives. In the case of wetlands, the quantity and dynamics of flow, residence time and the connection to groundwater, should be consistent with the achievement of the values specified for the “Biological Quality Elements” for the Good Ecological Status. In addition, Habitats Directive requires consideration of particular aspects in the determination of environmental flows (or wetlands water requirements). This Directive relates Favorable Conservation Status of habitats and species included in its annexes to the fact of providing suitable conditions for them. Thus, on habitats and species linked to the aquatic environment, the hydrological regime will brands in a large way the conditions for achieving a favorable conservation status. Wetlands water requirements are indispensable to achieve the Good Ecological Status that marks the Water Framework Directive and the conservation objectives pursued by the Habitats Directive. It can therefore be said that the determination of water requirements of wetlands (environmental flows) is an important issue with major implications for a successful EU's environmental policy and sustainable water policy.
Water Basin Agency JUCAR
GUADALQUIVIR
Ramsar Site Albufera de Valencia; Marjal de Pego-Oliva; Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca Lagunas del sur de Córdoba; Reserva Natural Laguna Honda; Reserva Natural Laguna de los Jarales; Reserva Natural Laguna de Tiscar; Reserva Natural Laguna del Conde o El Salobral
EXPECTED RESULTS - Determination of water requirements of Ramsar wetlands studied - Edition of a Manual on methodologies for the management of water requirements of wetlands
PROJECT OBJECTIVE The key aim of this project is to develop a methodology to address the Environmental Water Requirements of Spanish Ramsar Wetlands to fulfill conservation objectives stated by the Water Framework Directive and Habitats Directive. This project proposes to deepen the knowledge of the Spanish Ramsar wetlands. This work will serve as the basis for characterization studies of wetlands led to the determination of water requirements and definition of ecological status indicators of other Ramsar wetlands.
STUDY FRAMEWORK
PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS •Ministry of Environment of Spain •Jucar Water Basin Agency •Guadalquivir Water Basin Agency •Ebro Water Basin Agency (to be confirmed) •Catalan Water Agency (to be confirmed) •Andalusian Water Agency (to be confirmed)
LEGAL ANALYSIS
CONTACT
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL BALANCE
BATHYMETRY
The Spanish Wetlands Centre is an initiative promoted by “Fundacion Biodiversidad” (an institution supported by the Spanish Ministry of Environment), in collaboration with “Universidad Politecnica de Valencia”, “Universidad de Valencia” and Gandia’s City Council.
PHYSICAL ANALYSIS WATER BALANCE OF THE WETLAND
Calibration from: - Remote sensing -Satellite imagery -Hystorical water levels
This Centre came up with the aim of creating a leading observatory to develop actions for the sustainable conservation of the Spanish wetlands.
CALIBRATED WATER BALANCE
REFERENCE HYDROPERIODS
FLOOD REGIME OF THE WETLAND
HABITAT PREFERENCES FOR WILDLIFE
PREFERENCE FLOODING CURVES OF VEGETATION
POTENTIAL HABITAT FOR VEGETATION CRITICAL VOLUMES
BIO-ECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
POTENTIAL HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE
THRESHOLD ANALYSIS FOR WILDLIFE (Minimum breeding depth, etc.)
1rsancheznavarro@gmail.com; 2monorbe@fundacion-biodiversidad.es; 3mvinals@cgf.upv.es