las tablas de daimiel national park by jesus casas grande

Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park

“LAS TABLAS DE DAIMIEL” NATIONAL PARK

JESUS CASAS GRANDE


CASE STUDY: LAS TABLAS DE DAIMIEL

The National Park 1

Designation of the Park 2

Degradation of the National Park 3

The great disaster 4

Solutions 5

Results 6

Conclusions 7


Introduction and background THE NATIONAL PARK 1

Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park represents a unique and the most singular of La Mancha wetlands, and shows a more typical wetland qualities of Asia to Western Europe.



It’s the most important masegar of Europa



It is located in a dry environment and is formed by the confluence of two rivers (Guadiana and Gigüela), on a flat area of limestone, which facilitates pooling of saline and fresh water. While Gigüela flooded the plain in winter, the Guadiana

provides permanent water through the Aquifer 23.



The confluence of the Guadiana river with the Gigüela river generated a foodplain bigger than 1.700 hectares which allowed the stablishment of the wetland known today as Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park.



It was declared as a National Park in 1973, when hydrological splendor had nothing to do with the next 30 years.



In the 80's, a technical team was created. At that moment, they didn’t know what would happen in the coming years.


Hydrogeology THE NATIONAL PARK 1

Aquifer 23 – Limestone area


-4,0

-3,5

-3,0

-2,5

-2,0

-1,5

-1,0

-0,5

0,0

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014

hm3

(Mile

s)

Años

EVOLUCIÓN DE LA VARIACIÓN DEL VOLUMEN DE AGUA SUBTERRÁNEA ALMACENADO EN LA UH MANCHA OCCIDENTAL

Evolution of the volume of groundwater stored in the Hydrogeological Unit “Western Mancha”

Year

hm3

(thou

sand

s)



-400.0

-200.0

0.0

200.0

400.0

600.0

800.0

1000.0

0.0

100.0

200.0

300.0

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0

800.0

900.0

1000.0

DES

VIAC

ION

ES A

CU

MU

LAD

AA

S (m

m)

PREC

IPIT

ACIÓ

N (m

m)

AÑO HIDROLÓGICO

SECUENCIAS CLIMÁTICAS ESTACIÓN LAS TABLAS DE DAIMIEL

420,2

Climatic pattern. Meteorological station “Las Tablas de Daimiel”

Rai

n (m

m)

Hidrological year

Cum

ulative deviation (mm

)

Climatology THE NATIONAL PARK 1


Evolution of the piezometric level THE NATIONAL PARK 1


Habitats and species

Habitats and species covered by 92/43/CEE and 79/409/CEE Directives: 1410. Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimae) 1430. Halo-nitrophilous scrubs (Pegamo-Salsoletea) 1510(*). Mediterranean salt steppes (Limonietalia) 7210(*). Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of the Caricion davallianae 92D0. Southern riparian galleries and thickets (Nerio-Tamaricetea y Secunegion tinctoriae) Anguilla anguilla (VU) Barbus microcephalus (VU) Mauremys leprosa (VU) Botaurus stellaris (CR) Netta rufina (VU) Aythya nyroca (CR) Anas querquedula (VU)

THE NATIONAL PARK 1


Habitats and species THE NATIONAL PARK 1


• 1973: site designated as National Park • 1980: site designated as Biosphere Reserve • 1982: site designated as Ramsar wetland • 1988: site designated as Special Protection Area (SPA)

DESIGNACION OF THE PARK Designation

2



2

Daimiel was intended to be an example of a conservation and sustainable use



2

Different infrastructures were built for park visitors



2

It did not take long to appear the problems... 1984 was the last year that the Aquifer 23 flood the Western Mancha, and it took almost 30 years to recover the

wetland again.


The degradation DEGRADATION 3

This situation was the result of two distinct processes:

CHANELLING: by changing the width of the channels that feeds the wetland. The channels are widened to get higher flow rates. OVER-EXPLOITATION: affecting the hydrological system that feeds irrigation. The exploitation of the aquifer causes the water table drops and the wetland dries. As a result, the soil cracks and begin to emerge peat fires.


Chronology DEGRADATION 3

CHANELLING (1960-1980) A major crisis began in the 1950s, as a result of an drainage and transformation of wetlands. This process was initiated with the modification and removal of the banks and riverbeds, followed by the exploitation of the water from the subterranean aquifer for agrarian uses.


Chronology DEGRADATION 3

OVER-EXPLOITATION (1980-1990) 50.000 hectares of wetland were dried. 350.000 hectares were transformed into cultivated land, using underground water for irrigation with a consumption of 850 hm3 a year. Thus, the natural contribution from the aquifer, the ‘ojos’, disappeared. The water level dropped dozens of meters.


Hydric Regeneration Plan in the Natural Park DEGRADATION 3

In just 10 years were cultivated over 200.000 ha irrigated with groundwater around the park


Act 13/1987: Diversion of a volumen of water (60 millions cubic metres maximum) from the upper basin of river Tajo, in order to maintain the natural balance in the ecosystem of “Las Tablas de Daimiel” National Park.

Hydric Regeneration Plan in the Natural Park DEGRADATION 3


• Dewatering • Peat fires • Abandonment • Conflict

The great disaster THE GREAT DISASTER 4


Dewatering THE GREAT DISASTER 4

Loss of cultural patterns Traditional agriculture and fishing disappears


Dewatering THE GREAT DISASTER 4

200 families of fishermen had to migrate


Peat fires and subsidences THE GREAT DISASTER 4

http://www.google.es/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=VvknoPxB4g5uFM&tbnid=D6e-XwEmoeUQOM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tablasdedaimiel.com%2FNoticia%2F6094%2Fhacia-unas-tablas-de-daimiel-m-s-limpias&ei=IN0cU6eeGcbStAaE3YCgDg&bvm=bv.62578216,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNG62pjt8CXd3u9khwkR3RH31weAhA&ust=1394486926269468



Oxygen is introduced into the cracks and combusts with the underground peat

generating subsidences and peat fires


SUBSIDENCE

PEAT FIRES


http://www.google.es/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=9cImzHw3PU2TdM&tbnid=x3DhbkDs0Wu2mM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rtve.es%2Fnoticias%2F20100202%2Ftablas-daimiel-cronica-espejismo%2F315836.shtml&ei=M9wcU_H7EIjNtAbS3YGoBw&bvm=bv.62578216,d.ZG4&psig=AFQjCNGem2tlDG6TZVP95uH9RybeWt2lqg&ust=1394486669332762



The first peat fire occurred in the National Park was in September-1986


THE GREAT DISASTER 4 Finally, help arrives


SOLUTIONS 5 • Fire extinction • Introduction of water • Site and hydric infraestructure

development • Land purchase • Social awareness • Changes in the production system


Fire extinction SOLUTIONS 5

Emergency actions for the extinction of underground fire


THERMIC FLIGHT

Thermic scale

Fire extinction SOLUTIONS 5


Introduction of water SOLUTIONS 5


October, 2009

Approval of emergency actions. Investment of 33 millions euros, being 19 millions euros for drillings and a water supply pipe for “Las Tablas de Daimiel”. Approval of a water transfer up to 20 hm3 using a direct pipeline.

Hydric Regeneration Plan in the Natural Park SOLUTIONS 5


Hydric infraestructure development SOLUTIONS 5

Connection to the pipeline of “La Mancha flat” with two branches


Site development

SOLUTIONS 5

Removing ruderal invasive plants along the National Park


Site development SOLUTIONS 5


Intervened surface 643 Ha

Masegar surface 115 Ha

Net intervened surface 530 Ha

Percentage of intervened surface 32%

Extracted biomass 18.000 Tn

Average in 530 Ha 34 Tn/Ha


Alien vegetation removal



Distribution of Charophyta


Land purchase SOLUTIONS 5

The National Parks Autonomous Agency (OAPN, in Spanish) purchases 1.500 has of land adjoining the National Park. From 2004, this fact represents 1.174 ha of cropland and 15 hm3 of water no longer existing, and 23,6 millions euros invested.


Social awareness SOLUTIONS 5


Social awareness SOLUTIONS 5

Environmental education programme


Changes in the production system SOLUTIONS 5

1983

2013

800 hm3/100.000 ha

250 hm3/150.000 ha

Corn fields

Vineyards and melons

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJ2rn2-iuhM/UODBbMkWkII/AAAAAAAAFWQ/2iz621yoZPg/s1600/Grapes+v01+1006.png

http://navigatrix.net/shop/newearthpanama/images/corn-4.jpg


Resurgence of the Guadiana’s “eyes” RESULTS 6

The decline of agricultural pressure and the development of a production system, have lead to a recharge of the aquifer to surface waters after 30

years of drought.


1984: last time water flows from the “eyes”

Over-exploitation for irrigated crops

Wet period

Wet period

2008: aquifer recovery plan for the High Guadiana River

Above 610 m water

flows from the “eyes”

AQUIFER LEVEL Metres above the sea level


The “Eyes” of the Guadiana River


Inundation of the Park 30 years later RESULTS 6

Inundation map (07/01/2011)


15-4-1985


Inundation of the Park along 30 years


11-3-2007




7-4-2011




14-4-2013




January 2012 September 2012


April 2013 May 2013


AFTER

BEFORE




Water flows again under this water mill, the oldest in Castilla-La Mancha, since it stopped working in the 70s. Today it works as an interpretation center.



Red-crested Pochard has come back home...



…and the boatman sails again across the water of Las Tablas de Daimiel


Conclusions CONCLUSIONS 7

1. Over these years, the first critical response from the local population has been overtaken by the illusion of easy money from irrigated agriculture. We have seen the end of that illusion in a process of depletion of the aquifer and general draining of the region, with the restructuring of the whole economic activity. 2. We have seen some degenerative process inside the National Park, such as underground peat fires, due to desiccation. 3. It has been necessary to restore a new hydraulic system, to rise control plans compatible with productive systems, to purchase land and 30 years of waiting.


4. The climatic period 2009-2013 has involved the greatest recovery ever registered in the Upper Basin of the Guadiana river. Undergroung water level has rised 15 m in the last 4 year, what means, aproximately 1.900 hm3. 5. WE ARE NOW IN THE BEST HIDROLOGICAL SITUATION OF THE LAST 30 YEARS, BUT THE AQUIFER IS NOT TOTALLY RECOVERED.

Conclusions CONCLUSIONS 7


THANK YOU

LAS TABLAS DE DAIMIEL NATIONAL PARK

las tablas de daimiel national park by jesus casas grande

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