Wetland restoration is key if we want to stop the loss of biodiversity and the negative effects of climate change. There are many types of wetlands According to the Ramsar agreement: sailors, estuarine, lake, riverside, palustres and even artificial. Each type of wetland has its peculiarities, but, in general terms, we could say that a wetland is an ecosystem:
- Halfway between aquatic and terrestrial.
- where there is a more or less permanent water sheet.
- to which species are linked with specific adaptations to the aquatic environment and/or brackish.
- which is dynamic, in time and space.
Despite the reduced area they occupy (Only 3% of the earth’s surface), These unique ecosystems provide a wide variety of ecosystem services globally. Among them we can highlight provision services, such as fish production or water for consumption or irrigation.
Also They provide ecosystem services of key regulation such as carbon collection or the ability to reduce the effect of floods. And, of course, cultural ecosystem services, related to leisure or bird watching.
Restoring wetlands is vital
The Minister of Sustainability and Environment of the Junta de Andalucía, Catalina García, has emphasized the work carried out by the Andalusian administration for Restore the Marshs of Trebujenaa natural enclave of great ecological value located in the low Guadalquivir.
During his speech at the Plenary of the Parliament of Andalusia, he stressed that this project «is another example of the unwavering commitment of Andalusia with sustainability, biodiversity and socioeconomic development«.
The Andalusian government has invested about two million euros between 2022 and 2024 in the recovery of 260 hectares of these wetlandsan action that has returned ecological functionality to a degraded space and that also opens new possibilities for sustainable development for the region.
“The Marshs of Trebujena, a natural jewel of our Andalusia, have reborn thanks to a project that combines respect for the environment with the impulse to sustainable economic development,” he said. This Natural space had suffered important alterations due to old human interventions destined for desiccation for agricultural uses.
“These actions failed due to the high salinity and clay content of the soil, leaving a legacy of degradation,” he explained. Faced with this situation, the Junta de Andalucía has led an ambitious process of ecological restoration that has had the mobilization of 600,000 cubic meters of earthrecreating lagoons, islands and interconnected pipes.
“Thanks to effort and collaboration, we have restored its original structure,” said Garcia, highlighting that In the most intense moments of the works, up to 33 specialized vehicles simultaneously intervened. “A complex coordinated technical work of specialized machinery has been developed,” he added, highlighting the execution capacity of the Andalusian administration in large environmental projects.
The new water design guarantees a diversity of beneficial natural environments for many species, especially for threatened birds like the brownish closure (‘Marmaronetta Angustirostris’), the Moruna Focha (‘Fulica Cristata’) and the Malvasía Cabeciblanca (‘Oxyura Leucocephala’). «We have turned the marshes into a sanctuary for threatened birds. A shelter where these species can nest and prosper, ”he said.
In addition to ecological impact, the initiative has a strong economic component linked to nature tourism. “Ornithological tourism and ecotourism find here a new destination, with trails, observatories and viewpoints that will attract visitors and generate income for the region,” he said.
To this is added the respect and preservation of the traditional uses of the marsh, such as Extensive livestock and natural resources extraction“Contributing new income opportunities,” he explained.
Fighting climate change
The restoration of these wetlands also has an important effect on the fight against climate change. “The new wetlands connected with the Guadalquivir River act as an extension of the estuary, favoring the reproduction of marine species, fundamental to the fishing sector of the Gulf of Cádiz,” said Catalina García.
Likewise, he has remarked that the lagoons act as Natural rolling systems, reducing the risk of flooding, and function as carbon and nitrogen sinkscontributing to the reduction of pollution.
The counselor wanted to underline the collaboration of the former owners of the land, an alliance that has been key to the success of the initiative: “None of this would have been possible without the collaboration between the Junta de Andalucía and the former owners of the lands”he pointed out.
During his speech, Catalina García has recalled other important actions in the province, such as the Marshs of Barbate as a point of ornithological tourism, the conservation of the fog forest in the Los Alcornocales Natural Park or the creation of cycling routes. In this regard, he announced that «in the budget by 2025, We have allocated to the province of Cádiz a total of 42.2 million euros«.
The counselor has completed her intervention reaffirming the Andalusian government’s commitment to a model in which development and conservation advance hand. «Projects like these teach us that it is possible to harmonize development and conservation.
Y that respect for nature can also be a source of opportunities“He said, to close with a message of unity:” As I always say, let’s continue working together, with this same passion and commitment, for an Andalusia that is a model of sustainability, prosperity and pride for all. “