More than 500 scientists ask the Government for water from the Tagus to save Las Tablas de Daimiel

The situation of Las Tablas de Daimiel is "unsustainable", defend 511 scientists in a manifesto addressed to the highest levels of the State.

The evidence that "there are no signs that the aquifer will recover its levels of long-term sustainability" has led them to send the document to the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez;

the Minister for the Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera;

and the president of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page.

It places politicians as responsible for not stopping the deterioration of the ecosystem.

The document, to which EL PAÍS has had access, urges them to decide which path to take: "Restore or abandon forever the main wetland in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula."

For decades, the lack of water has plagued these floodplains, practically unique in Europe, to the point that currently only 250 hectares of the 1,750 of the wetland are flooded.

Behind the inexorable degradation appear the extractions of water to supply agricultural exploitations ―the aquifer on which Las Tablas depends was declared overexploited in 1994― and a drought that has lasted eight years.

To ensure the sustainability of Las Tablas, it is necessary to maintain a regular water flow of 17 cubic hectometres per year, the scientists point out.

And if necessary, that volume must be completed with the shipment of water from the Tajo-Segura transfer, as legally provided.

The manifesto points out that this reinforcement from the Tagus would be carried out while looking for other water alternatives, "both for the ecosystem and for irrigation."

As solutions, the scientists list the "recycling and reuse of wastewater generated in the environment, the collection of rainwater on a large scale or the harvesting of water vapor."

If the natural system worked, the interactions between the groundwater from the aquifer and the surface water from the Guadiana, Azuer and Gigüela rivers would fill the lagoons by flooding.

But currently the only regular contribution comes from the emergency wells that extract water from the already overexploited aquifer and with this only 20% of the lagoons are filled and more are emptied.

Pumping from the wells only serves to "moisten [increase humidity] dry soils and reduce the risks of peat combustion [in the subsoil of the aquifer], but by itself it does not maintain ecosystem flooding," the document explains. sent to the government.

Salvador Sánchez Carrillo, a CSIC scientist and promoter of the manifesto, hopes that politicians "make a decision once and for all and assume their responsibilities."

Because "the current state of the wetland is not the cause, but the effect of the unsuccessful decisions" of politicians and society that turns its back on it.

Saving the wetland is possible

Taking the right path, it is still possible to save the wetland, because it is still "alive" and "never before have we had so much scientific knowledge of Las Tablas de Daimiel and its surroundings," the manuscript adds.

Its ability to adapt is very high, they explain, and all the animals and plants that inhabit it regenerate “almost immediately when there is water”, although it is becoming more and more complex.

Despite this, "the degree of disturbance that it can withstand is close to the limit," they warn, "and it is likely that, if no action is taken, it will suffer very profound changes in its structure and function that make it difficult to recover in the long term."

They also consider that the "incalculable" information bank that "reflects the natural history of La Mancha and the interior of the peninsula" and its biodiversity cannot be missed.

"Would we want to lose the Prado Museum?", they wonder.

Because "Las Tablas, Doñana, the Ebro Delta and many others are our main natural museums".

Even in its worst moments, Las Tablas serves as a refuge for more than 2,000 species (plants, birds, insects, fish, reptiles...), in addition to being represented in 11 habitats of community interest.

All these characteristics imply that its disappearance would mean "irreparable damage" to the natural wealth of Spain and the planet.

An "unrepeatable genetic and ecological heritage" would be lost that "can never be recovered."

Sánchez Carrillo recalls that sending water from the Tajo-Segura transfer is contemplated by law.

"It is not fair that the ecosystem is always the one that suffers and that it is pushed to the limit," he says.

He knows that talking about transferring water from another basin generates controversy, but points out that there are no big problems when that water goes to agriculture.

And he warns: "If this exploitation continues, Las Tablas de Daimiel will not recover, let's not fool ourselves."

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