Doñana National Park

Doñana National Park is a protected wetland, dune, and coastal landscape in Andalusia, southwestern Spain. Its habitats support exceptional biodiversity and large numbers of migratory birds.

Marismas del Guadalquivir: A broad estuarine marshland in southwestern Spain, shaped by the Guadalquivir River and Atlantic tides. These marshes form Doñana’s largest seasonal wetland habitat.
Seasonal wetlands: Wetlands that expand or contract as rainfall and water levels change through the year. Doñana’s temporary floods create feeding and breeding grounds that vary by season.
Ramsar Convention: An international treaty that promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Doñana’s wetlands are recognized under this international conservation framework.
Iberian lynx: A wild cat native to the Iberian Peninsula and one of the world’s most endangered felids. Doñana has been a central site for the lynx’s protection and recovery.
Climate change in Spain: Observed and projected changes in Spain’s climate, including rising temperatures and shifts in rainfall. Hotter, drier conditions may make Doñana’s seasonal wetlands less reliable.
Mediterranean climate: A climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Winter rainfall and summer drought drive the park’s annual flood cycle.
Atlantic Flyway: A major bird migration route linking breeding grounds in Europe with wintering areas in Africa. Migratory birds use Doñana as a staging and wintering site along this route.
Natura 2000: The European Union network of protected areas for habitats and species. Doñana is protected through European habitat and species conservation designations.
Spanish imperial eagle: A large eagle endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, threatened by habitat loss and other pressures. The park’s protected landscape provides habitat for this threatened raptor.
Water transfer: The movement of water between river basins or from one water source to another. Proposals to bring water to the region raise questions about sustainable supply.

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