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Date Published: 05/11/2025

Doñana's future at risk as environmentalists clash with government over wetland boundaries

New boundary plan sparks fears of “irreversible” harm to Spain’s treasured marshes

Doñana National Park is one of Spain’s most treasured natural spots, located in the southwestern region of Andalucía. It spans the provinces of Huelva, Seville, and Cádiz, sitting at the delta where the Guadalquivir River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

While it deals with natural stressors like drought and rising temperatures, the human impact remains a big concern, especially when it comes to protecting its rich biodiversity. In fact, 2023 brought some hope when the national and Andalusian regional governments agreed on measures to end conflict over irrigation in the area, soaring hopes for better protection and support for local farmers.

Now, a new controversy has flared up. The Spanish government has drawn new boundaries for the park’s marshes in the Official State Gazette - boundaries that environmental groups and the Andalusian government say fly in the face of scientific evidence. WWF has sent urgent letters to UNESCO and the European Commission warning about what it calls the “extremely serious and irreversible” damage this could cause.

The heart of the dispute lies in how the marshes are classified. The government’s plan would suddenly label much of Doñana’s freshwater marshes as tidal marshes. That sounds like a small change but it could lead to dramatic shifts in how the land is managed, potentially forcing a flooding regime that threatens the protected habitats and species depending on freshwater conditions.

Experts across the board, from the Doñana Biological Station to regional authorities, have voiced concerns. In fact, almost everyone on the Doñana Natural Area Participation Council opposed the demarcation when it was voted on in mid-October.

The Ministry argues that this is just an administrative action to recognise the land as public maritime domain. But others see it as a fundamental shift that could undo years of careful conservation efforts in a park recognised globally for its ecological value since 1969.

Regional Minister Catalina García warned, “This demarcation destroys scientific studies and years of monitoring that confirm the marshes are freshwater, not saltwater.”

With so much at stake, the fight over Doñana’s boundaries is far from settled. The marshes and their wildlife hang in the balance, and many hope that science and reason will ultimately prevail to protect this unique ecosystem.

Image: wikicommons

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