Ricerca ProgettiWADIProjectStudy sitesSpain

Spanish case study site: El Hondo Lagoon

This is a modified water body, used for irrigation by the local farmer consortium, and also protected as natural reserve for aquatic birds.

Water is mainly drained from the river Segura. Recently the water body has suffered for decreasing quantity of water and increasing salinity above the critical level for agricultural use. Also the quality has got worse for concentration of pollutants, mainly organic. The water conflict between agriculture and conservation uses is being exceeded by the increasing demand of water for coastal tourism.

Plans are being developed by the parts to share the scarce water supply. External independent expertise is needed to judge the plans for sustainability, and analyse the system from a broader perspective. The aridity of the area makes it a valid “laboratory” to analyse conflicts for water in contexts of water scarcity. Main impact compartments are the adverse effects on aquatic flora and fauna for increasing salinisation of water; the adverse effects to the tourism business for decreasing quality of water; and the negative impacts on food production (agriculture) for increasing salinisation.

Key stakeholders identified are:

• farmers, represented by the local Consortium of irrigators;
• the Provincial Tourism Agency;
• the Regional natural reserve;
• the Consortium of the Segura river basin.

 

Detailed presentation of the site by Partner 3.

Selected references on the site by Partner 3.

Report of the Meeting organised at the study site in February 2006.

Brochure "Les dones rurals i el manteniment dels valors ambientals del Camp d'Elx", May 2007.