In Catalonia’s wetlands, farmers and environmentalists are working together to adapt to the region’s longest drought.
advertisementNear the banks of the Ebro River, mosquitoes fly around researchers as they spill into the fields and take measurements.
The smell of sweat and insect repellent mix together. humidity As a team tests water-saving strategies on flooded fields at the Institute of Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (IRTA) near Amposta.
The Ebro River is Spain’s second longest river, winding its way through the north of the country and emptying into the Mediterranean Sea along the Catalan coast 200 km south of Barcelona.
The Ebro Delta, one of the largest wetlands in Western Europe, is formed here. It is not only a habitat for thousands of species, but also serves as a source of biological life. hydroelectric powerecotourism, and most economically important, rice cultivation.
drought In Spain, especially Catalonia, the Ebro delta is in trouble. Water shortages have reduced the area available for irrigating crops by 50 percent.
As a result, all factions of wetland communities, including farmers, hunters and environmentalists, and the Catalan government need to work together and adapt.
“We need to maintain a balance,” Maria del Mar Catalla, an IRTA researcher who has worked in the delta for 35 years, told Euronews Green.
“Farmers’ mindsets are changing and they are adapting. Fifteen years ago no one wanted to talk about water reduction, but now it’s becoming a reality.”
Why rice is important to Spain
Spain is the top producer after Italy rice In Europe, it accounts for 30% of the EU’s total production. The largest rice producing area used to be in southern Andalusia, but it is now shifting to the south. climate We changed that.
in Andalusia seville In this region, rice planted area decreased by 53 percent in 2021, 69 percent in 2022, and 96 percent in 2023 compared to the average production of the previous year, making the once top rice producing region Now it means producing almost nothing. This puts even more pressure on other rice-growing regions, such as the Ebro Delta, to continue production and increases threats to wetland ecosystems.
“Rice is the most economical commodity in the delta. Therefore, increased stress on rice production in Catalonia means increased pressure on the environment,” said IRTA researcher Nestor Pérez Méndez. says. He speaks not only as an environmental activist but also as someone who knows that the economic viability of the Delta is valuable to governments and businesses.
The delta is in a situation that would have been unthinkable 10 years ago, as drought has reduced water flow and reduced the amount of sediment needed to keep the delta above its elevation. sea level. But Spain’s wetlands are a case study for other parts of Europe, showing how commercial and environmental interests can work together in the face of increasingly extreme weather.
wetland intermediary
Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, IRTA conducts research to prepare for this future, uniting the various factions of the Delta.
“All farmers know that I defend their interests, and I strive to create synergies between farmers and environmental interests,” says Maria. “I’ve been working with them all this time, and they need me and I need them. Farmers will and must adapt.”
drought Catalonia is connected to water restriction Agricultural water use has been reduced by 50% in urban and rural areas. This makes it increasingly difficult to achieve the flooding conditions necessary for rice growth.
IRTA researchers conduct experiments at wetland facilities while providing technical advice to governments and farmers. These tests include not submerging the rice field for a period of time, or submerging and draining the rice field for an entire growing season.All they want is to reduce their dependence on mass flood Save water during future droughts.
Progress will take time, but research conducted today will help the region better adapt to future climate change. “If people don’t study this, there won’t be any alternatives when the time comes,” said Chilean researcher Seba Leonardo.
delicate delta region, extreme climate
Increasing droughts are not the only thing local residents are concerned about with climate change.
advertisement“This year, drought Regulated water and sea level rise. Maybe it’s not 10 or 20 years, but it’s very close. “If that happens, it will be difficult to grow rice here,” said rice farmer Luis Jornet.
The storms of the past few years have been as alarming as the drought. When the Ebro River meets the Mediterranean Sea, sea water It can flood flooded fields and cause soil salinization.This makes life difficult freshwater Rice seeds and producers.
“Climate is becoming increasingly unpredictable,” Nestor explains. “We can adapt to water decline and provide alternatives to deal with water scarcity. The question is, this year may be dry, next year may be wet and wet. No. The Ebro Delta is vulnerable to both.
“For me, the worst problem is that we cannot plan reliable strategies for the long term because the climate is unpredictable.”
Framework for the future
Technology can help us in a world affected by extreme weather, but it doesn’t always help us right away. The IRTA Institute is an example of proper long-term research and is laying the foundations for important research. adaptation.
advertisementSpain is at the forefront of climate change in Europe, with 75 percent of the country suffering from climate change that could lead to catastrophe. Desertificationaccording to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Other European countries will take note of how Spain’s environmental and agricultural communities work together to help each other at a local level.
As climate change puts increasing pressure on the continent’s northern regions, we should heed the lessons of the delta before we are hit by a climate we are not prepared for.