Volcanic lagoons in Ciudad Real provide refuge for aquatic birds

Four volcanic lagoons in Ciudad Real—Nava Grande de Malagón, Caracuel, Almodóvar del Campo, and La Carrizosa de Cabezarados—have maintained water levels despite extreme summer temperatures. Located within the UNESCO Volcanes de Calatrava Global Geopark, these wetlands have become vital water oases and refuges for aquatic birds.

Researchers from the Geovol group at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) attribute this extraordinary resilience to the lagoons' unique geological nature and significant rainfall during the previous winter and spring. Precipitation recharged local aquifers through Variscan fracturing in the quartzite mountains, which feeds the aquifers associated with the maars' explosion craters. This natural fracture network acts as a conduit, supplying the lagoons from underground and protecting them from surface drought and intense evaporation.

The consistent water availability has supported local fauna, with researchers counting over 25 species of aquatic birds and 3,851 individuals. Nearly half of these are common flamingos. Other prominent species include the common coot, with 1,258 individuals, the little grebe, with 280, and the Eurasian teal, with 213.