Possible solutions to avoid conflicts between water resources development and wetland conservation in the "La Mancha Humeda" Biosphere Reserve (Spain)

The Upper Guadiana Basin is located in the Central "Meseta" of Spain and ha s a semiarid climate. About half of the catchment surface is formed by impo rtant calcareous aquifers. The hydraulic connection between surface and gro undwater is high. In this catchment are located a good number of wetlands o f different types that are considered relevant from the ecological point of view. They form the main part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve called "La M ancha Humeda". In the early seventies began a significant change in land use. The irrigate d surface grew from some 200-300 km(2) to 1,300-1,400 km(2) in the early ni neties. Pumping of groundwater from the main aquifer of the catchment has d one most of this development. This new irrigated agriculture has been a dri ving force for the region economic development. Nevertheless, it has induce d dramatic changes in the catchment hydrology and has caused serious impact s on some wetlands. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.