Case study: Donana National Park

Remember you can choose to study EITHER Donana OR The Norfolk Broads.

LOCATION
Donana National Park is located in Andalusia, Southern Spain.

WHY IS IT A FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT?
It is Europe's largest nature reserve with 78,000 hectares of marches and canals. It is a beautiful wetland area with rich flora and fauna including some endangered species such as Spanish lynx and Egyptian Mongoose. The Park was declared a world heritage site in 1994 and is protected by law from hunting, forestry, drainage and excessive tourist exploitation.

PROBLEMS AND IMPACTS
Chemicals being used on nearby farms are running of in to steams which feed the national park. This is leading to eutrophication which is the growth of algae which used up oxygen making conditions unsuitable for fish and plant life. In 1986 the uncontrolled use of pesticides led to the poisoning of 30,000 birds.

Agricultural development to the north of the park has diverted some of the natural waterways for irrigation use. The rate that the water is being used at could lead the whole area to dry up.