In 2023, the Doñana natural area recorded its worst figures in terms of the number of wintering birds and the increase in average temperature, almost one degree compared to 1990, while the disappearance of permanent wetlands has been confirmed.
The Doñana Biological Station (EBD) presented this Thursday a report on the state of the biodiversity of this space, marked by climate change and the continuous overexploitation of its underground aquifer, some “very intense changes”, according to its director, Eloy. Revilla, who has warned of the economic impact that the social environment will suffer.
Last month’s census of wintering birds showed, according to preliminary data, 120,000 specimens of 97 species, 42% less than last year and 18% less than the historical maximum.
The permanent lagoons of Doñana are considered to have disappeared as such, after drying out for two consecutive years, while the temporary ones have gone from 4,000 in rainy years to around 2,400, the majority already invaded by scrub vegetation. Several emblematic species have not appeared for years, such as the ocellated lizard, the eel or the common toad.
79% of aquatic bird species suffer a reduction in their populations compared to ten years ago, and rabbit populations – key for predators such as the lynx or the imperial eagle – show a density of only one specimen every two square kilometers.
Waterfowl are the ones that suffer the most from the situation. The 2023 census reveals that there were 206,000 specimens in January, “the tenth worst figure for this date in the historical series,” according to Javier Bustamente, vice director of the Singular Scientific Technical Infrastructure (ICTS) of the Biological Station.
Data that has far surpassed the same census last month. Provisionally, it is estimated at 120,000 wintering species, of 97 species, a negative record since they represent 42% of last year and 18% compared to the historical maximum.
The goose, an emblematic bird that was used to raise funds in Europe for Doñana in the 60s, is suffering a continuous decline. If in 2023 there were 9,588 specimens, a very low figure, this January they were reduced to 4,216.
Two very abundant birds have fallen sharply, the wigeon and the common teal, while there are more specimens of shoveler and pintail.
The reduction of humid areas is the key. The permanent lagoons of Doñana are considered to have disappeared as such, after their drying out for two consecutive years, while the temporary ones have gone from 4,000 in rainy years to around 2,400, since the majority are already invaded by scrub vegetation.
Rocío Fernández Zamudio, from the EBD Monitoring team, has indicated that a high mortality rate has been detected in ancient pine and cork oak trees, where the iconic Doñana aviary was located.
The temperatures were allied with the drought. Doñana registered an average of 19.3 degrees in 2023, a historical record, above the 18.5 in 1990. And the rainfall was the second scarcest in the last decade, a period that was already dry.
“Previous droughts followed the pattern of lasting about 4 or 5 years, while now they are very prolonged,” said Eloy Revilla.
The director of the EBD has referred to the exclusion of Doñana from the Green List prepared by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as an incentive to “learn from mistakes, both the Administration and us.”
The scientist has insisted on the serious situation of the aquifer that nourishes the humid areas of the natural space, overexploited by agriculture, and has pointed out that this impact and that of climate change is already being suffered by “the socioeconomic environment; We must know how to adapt and that means reducing water consumption.
Revilla has indicated that he trusts that the situation will be reversed and has valued the good relationship with the managers of the Doñana Natural Space, of the Junta de Andalucía.
