Water scarcity impacts Spain and Europe as researchers study dry river ecosystems

Water scarcity has become a recurring issue across the Iberian Peninsula and Europe, driven by irregular rainfall, heatwaves, and dry summers. In Spain, reservoirs such as Mediano in the Aragonese Pyrenees have reached critical levels, with some basins moving from pre-alert to alert status. The Canary Islands have faced water emergencies since 2023 in Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Tenerife, prompting calls for a long-term water security program for 2027-2035.

In response to these environmental shifts, the DRY-Guadalmed research project, led by the Complutense University of Madrid, the University of Barcelona, and IRTA, is studying the ecological function of Mediterranean rivers that remain dry for long periods. Researchers emphasize that “a dry river is not a dead river,” noting that these watercourses transition into dynamic terrestrial ecosystems that continue to support significant biodiversity through specialized survival strategies.