Coto Doñana - wetlands

Question 1

what is a wetland

Answer 1

• areas where water covers the soil, or is near the surface for varying periods of time
  Eg. rivers, marshes, bogs, mangroves, mudflats, ponds, swamps, lagoons, lakes, and floodplains

Question 2

benefits of wetlands

Answer 2

• flood protection
• water quality improvement
• shoreline erosion control
  natural products - fish, shellfish, fruits, timber and rice
• recreation and aesthetics - hiking, boating, hunting, fishing and birdwatching
• Carbon sinks

Question 3

Coto doñana facts

Answer 3

• Doñana National Park
• southern Spain
• area of marsh, shallow streams, and sand dunes in Las Marismas
• Guadalquivir River Delta region
• flows into Atlantic

Question 4

threats

Answer 4

• lost over 80 per cent of its natural marshes since beginning of 20th century
• estimated 1,000 illegal wells and 3,000 hectares of illegal farms
• Drying out from climate change
• harmful industrial activities such as mining and intensive agricultural techniques.
• Tourism

Question 5

solutions

Answer 5

• Protection from international agreements
• Reintroduce native species
• Shut down illegal wells and farms
• Raising money
• Partnership with WWF