‘It’s not rocket science’ says UK based ecologist on drying of Spanish rivers – CSN News

The solutions to Spain’s drying-out rivers are not ‘crazy rocket science’

Leading ecologist, Dr. David A. Smith, has taken on the challenge of saving Spain’s river systems from climate change and over-consumption.

Julia Martin Ortega, a professor of ecological economics at the University of Leeds, has warned that rising temperatures are causing ‘intense river dryness’ across parts of the country. 

But the academic says her solutions to this ‘intense dryness’ are not ‘crazy rocket science’.

These include increasing shade along rivers to cool them down, clearing forests to prevent fires and switching over to less water-intensive crops. 

Ortega, 45 told The Olive Press that “the natural system is disturbed and unbalanced so we need to work it.”

The Rio Genal, which runs through Ronda and flows into the Rio Guadiaro in Casares, has been particularly affected.

Ortega says that the Genal has seen longer dry periods in a growing number of areas. This has had a knock-on effect for local biodiversity and the community.

The Sevilla-born academic is part of an international study known as ‘DRYvER’, which has been studying rivers across Europe for the past five years, measuring the effects of global warming. 

She said that while it’s normal for rivers in the summer to dry out, the process now starts earlier, ends later, and spreads.

Due to climate change, and increased water use in Spain, patterns of river drying are increasing. It will only get worse. 

These effects can have a number of consequences, including the loss of habitats for species and an increase in forest fires. 

The lack of water also has a profound effect on local communities, Ortega warns – some residents even lamented the loss of their connection to the river during workshops. 

It affects them deeply, because they no longer have the opportunity to connect to nature and their family by spending time on the river. She said that they lose their sense of cultural identity and cohesion. 

“People are interested in the issue, but lack of knowledge is preventing them from taking action.”

It may also affect the economy, as tourist activities on waterways are limited, and there is a lack water for agriculture.