We have explored how water use has changed in and around Doñana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Spain, over more than a decade. By combining satellite data with advanced models, we tracked how much water evaporates from soil and vegetation (a process known as evapotranspiration) in both natural ecosystems and nearby agricultural areas.
The results reveal a striking contrast: while evapotranspiration has increased in agricultural zones, it has declined in natural habitats, especially in wetlands. This suggests that water resources are progressively shifting from natural ecosystems toward irrigated crops. The problem becomes even more pronounced during drought periods, when rainfall is scarce and wetlands suffer the most, while irrigated areas remain less affected thanks to artificial water inputs.
These findings highlight the growing tension between agricultural productivity and ecosystem conservation in Mediterranean regions where water is limited. Understanding how water use changes over time can help design fairer and more sustainable water management strategies—protecting both local communities and the unique wildlife and landscapes that makes Doñana such an exceptional natural site. The results were published in Moyano et al., 2025.
