Environmental Problems Doñana National Park

1 environmental problems

1.1 impact of infrastructure
1.2 overexploitation of water resources
1.3 impact of agriculture
1.4 aznalcóllar disaster
1.5 pipeline
1.6 pilgrimage of el rocío , ecological issues

environmental problems

after aznalcóllar dam disaster of 1998, public awareness of environmental risks countryside exposed has increased. various impact studies , environmental groups have warned repeatedly of problems threaten region s flora, fauna, water , soil. while pressure of urbanization , various demands on local ecosystems has been concern throughout years, not associated risk factor. unesco has reviewed nomination of park inclusion in list of world heritage in danger several times, has yet add it.

impact of infrastructure

there have been number of problems related infrastructure near park. project build oil pipeline between extremadura , port of huelva has been criticized environmental groups, allege increase tanker traffic in area associated risk of oil spills. frequent dredging of guadalquivir allow passage of ships port of seville has been observed cause serious disturbances in biodynamics of estuary. adena, associación de defensa de la naturaleza (association defence of nature), spanish branch of wff, has linked passage of these boats introduction of new animals local ecosystems, occurs when discharge ballast water containing exotic species.

the port of huelva

the port of huelva, few kilometers natural park, 1 of major environmental threats. francisco bella, psoe senator , former mayor of town of almonte huelva, considers absurd pipeline project has been approved while national government , regional government of andalusia invest in renewable energy. mayor of almonte, noted difficulties of implementing policies promote employment near park: (translation) ...we know ant , lynx, need know how employment evolves in doñana. in line bella s position regarding aqueduct, ginés morata, biologist , former president of consejo de participación de doñana (participation council of doñana), says project, involves passage of hundreds of oil tankers per year unload cargoes near doñana, lead increased possibility of oil spills.

overexploitation of water resources

another environmental problem water withdrawals irrigation, many of them illegal, have doubled since late 1980s maintain water-intensive crops such cotton, rice , more strawberries. latter grown in greenhouses, estimated area under plastic of between 4,500 , 6,000 hectares in doñana area, producing on 60% of spanish strawberry crop. boring of illegal wells draw irrigation water underground aquifers has apparently proliferated, while water demands of nearby residential complexes , inappropriate usage of water resources of nearby rivers may affect hydrology of park. other potential risks include salinization resulting climate change; intrusion of salt water atlantic endanger several animal species. on other hand, desertification occur; transfer chanza-stones water system approved diputación de huelva (provincial council of huelva) alleviate eventuality.

impact of agriculture

in 2007, world wildlife fund warned strawberry farms surrounding park, 95% of spanish strawberries produced, threatened cause catastrophic damage park depleting surrounding groundwater, notably illegal boreholes involved, creating considerable pesticide pollution , plastic waste accumulating in local creeks; afp further reported wwf calling boycott of spanish strawberries, contradicted remarks of wwf-spain spokesperson, , uncharacteristic of wwf call blanket boycotts.

aznalcóllar disaster

on 25 april 1998, holding dam burst @ los frailes mine operated mining company, boliden-apirsa, near aznalcóllar, seville province, releasing 4–5 million cubic metres of mine tailings. acidic tailings, contained dangerous levels of several heavy metals, reached nearby river agrio, , tributary river guadiamar, travelling 40 kilometres along these waterways before stopped , advancing far prepark. cleanup operation took 3 years, @ estimated cost of €240 million. although spill slowed levees , diverted way of guadalquivir sea, vulnerability of doñana s ecosystems such environmental catastrophes evident.

to ensure sustainable development both in countryside , in surrounding provinces, counteract future environmental threats, international commission of experts met in 1992 propose solutions, , produced plan de desarrollo sostenible de doñana y su entorno (plan sustainable development of doñana , surroundings), briefly described as:

a plan of action, implemented through doñana operational programme , funded regional government of andalusia , spanish state, feder funds, esf , eaggf, revitalise both regional infrastructure , social fabric through new economic model of development compatible preserving biodiversity of such extraordinarily important natural heritage doñana.

rice field in las marismas, near isla mayor

this became mission statement of doñana 21 foundation, created in 1997 partnership between governing council of andalusian regional government , el monte, san fernando , unicaja savings banks. plan established among objectives promotion of actions beneficial natural environment, seeking cooperation of national , european governmental bodies, , various organizations interest in park, economic or otherwise, sustainable development of area (e. g., encouraging organic farming of rice). since then, representatives council agencies, businesses, trade unions , conservation organizations such wwf have joined foundation , collaborated in meeting goals.

pipeline

in 2013 construction of pipeline in vicinity of park authorized spanish ministry of agriculture, food , environment.

pilgrimage of el rocío , ecological issues


wagon bearing simpecado (banner insignia proceeds images of holy virgin mary) crosses coto doñana on return pilgrimage of el rocío, in may 2009.

the municipality of almonte, , therefore park, situated in area in public manifestations of religious fervor have been frequent throughout centuries. deities of nature , water worshiped ancient iberians, in goddess cult of cybele. cult rituals, similar in many ways current rocieras celebrations, adapted christians of these lands assimilated in liturgy. built small basilica here, defunct, after reconquest of area in 1262 marian devotions institutionalized. 1270–1284, alfonso x reconstructed chapel of st. mary of rocinas, , in 1337 alfonso xi made first recorded mention of marian cult in area:

...e señaladamente son los mejores sotos de correr cabo de una iglesia que dicen de santa maría de las rocinas.(... , in particular said best groves proceed church of st. mary of rocinas.) ~alfonso xi, 1337

the image of virgin @ hermitage of el rocío dates 13th century, although current iconography representing virgin lady of royal court adopted in late 16th century, according fashion of time. popularity of cult of virgen del rocío in modern times has raised concerns annual pilgrimage s effect on natural environment of park.

the park used pilgrims on way romería de el rocío. event attracts million pilgrims annually, has significant negative impact on park s eco-system. overcrowding of pilgrims around dates evident not in village of el rocío shrine located, in places within , outside park such piara del acebuchal, ajolí bridge, boca del lobo , moguer road. has been publicity windfall park, requires stepped-up park resources fire prevention , general monitoring, , has had significant negative environmental impact (e.g., increased danger of wildfires, off-road suvs damaging sensitive ground, etc.) denounced environmentalists.