WWF Spain works to ensure that rivers and wetlands remain sources of life, not just blue lines on a map. Every success, every hectare restored, is made possible by people who choose to get involved and support this work through their donations.
Why rivers and wetlands matter
Healthy rivers and wetlands purify water, recharge the aquifers we rely on for drinking water, and help protect us from droughts and floods. They are also home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife and support the livelihoods and well-being of millions of people around the world.
Spain is home to the greatest diversity of wetlands in Europe, including iconic places such as Doñana and Las Tablas de Daimiel, as well as hundreds of lesser-known lagoons, marshes and estuaries that are just as vital. Today, many of these ecosystems are under threat from water overexploitation, pollution and poor planning, putting them at risk of disappearing silently.
Rivers and wetlands in the Living Planet Index
The Living Planet Index shows, year after year, that nature is declining at an alarming rate, with freshwater species among the hardest hit. Rivers and wetlands are highlighted as key ecosystems in the Index because they harbour an extraordinary share of the planet's biodiversity while also experiencing some of the fastest rates of biodiversity loss. Protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems is not only about preserving beautiful landscapes—it is about taking action on one of the most critical fronts in halting the global decline of life on Earth.
