Droughts in Spain have gone from being a one-off phenomenon to becoming a structural condition. affecting the economy, society, and ecosystems. The advance of climate change, coupled with intensive water consumption patterns, is transforming the country's water landscape and creating the need to rethink how this strategic resource is managed.
The latest scientific studies show that the atmosphere is increasingly acting like a 'thirsty' sponge, absorbing more moisture than the Earth's surface can replenish.This characteristic, known as atmospheric evaporative demand, has intensified the severity of droughts in recent decades, even in regions where average annual precipitation has remained relatively stable.
The role of the atmosphere in worsening droughts
Global warming increases the air's ability to capture water vapor, which causes traditionally humid regions to also experience more severe droughts. This phenomenon has been identified as one of the main factors explaining why each year, more land area—around 74% more in the last five years—is subjected to acute water stress. The research highlights that It's no longer just about the amount of rain that falls, but rather the intensity with which the atmosphere demands water from the environment.
This results in a drastic reduction in soil moisture, loss of agricultural productivity and low reservoirs.Water scarcity also affects sectors such as hydroelectric power generation, the food industry, rural tourism, and public health, increasing the risk of fires and intense heat waves.
Responses of Mediterranean vegetation to drought
In the Mediterranean region, The variety of strategies of tree and shrub species plays a key role in the advance of aridity.Recent studies show differences in root depth and water use efficiency. For example, Small shrubs consume water quickly after light rains, while larger trees access deeper layers of the soil and use the resource more efficiently to survive prolonged dry periods.
These diverse strategies increase the resilience of ecosystems, although they do not prevent forest communities from becoming increasingly vulnerable. The Mediterranean region is among the areas most exposed to climate change on the planet., with predictions of decreased rainfall and increased temperatures in the coming decades.
Knowing these adaptations is essential for designing ecological restoration and conservation plans that prioritize the most resistant species and those most suited to future conditions, helping to maintain available water resources.
Spain faces increasing aridity: desertification and overexploitation
Currently, about 20% of the national territory is already desertified and up to 74% is at risk., according to sources from the CSIC and the Ministry for Ecological Transition. The overexploitation of aquifers and rivers—mainly due to the expansion of irrigated agriculture, which consumes around 80% of available water—exacerbates this situation. Between 2010 and 2019, the irrigated area increased considerably, increasing pressure on resources with limited regenerative capacity.
- The reduction in flow rates in rivers such as the Segura, the Júcar, and the Guadalquivir has been a reality that has been observed for decades.
- It is estimated that there are more than one million illegal wells, which intensify water stress in many basins.
- The decline in soil moisture and the decrease in snow cover in mountainous areas are compromising water resources linked to melting snow. For a more in-depth look at the impact of climate change on water availability in Spain, see This analysis on climate change in Spain.
Climate trends suggest that aridity and the severity of droughts will continue to increase, especially in the southern part of the peninsula and the Mediterranean region. The particular warming in this region increases the frequency of heat waves and torrential rains, interspersed with long dry periods.
Drought management: challenges and need for adaptation
The latest OECD report and national projections warn that The economic impact of drought in 2025 has already doubled compared to the beginning of the century. and could increase by 35% over the next ten years. Current policies are insufficient to address a threat that has become established as a structural condition in the Spanish economy.
Among the main challenges are:
- Adapt hydraulic infrastructure, restore ecosystems and modify water distribution to reflect scarcity and promote its efficient use.
- Transforming watershed planning and management to include drought as a systemic risk, not just as a one-off emergency.
- Promote research, international cooperation and citizen participation to innovate in energy-saving technologies and nature-based ecological solutions.
- Strengthen governance and enforcement of laws regarding the use of illegal wells and overexploitation of aquifers and surface resources.
In regions such as the Segura basin, a reduction of up to 30% in water resources will make current restrictions, reserved for emergencies, permanent, requiring new management formulas and territorial cooperation. To better understand the effects of drought on water management, see How other countries are coping with drought.
This scenario requires action on several fronts: designing social and economic adaptation strategies, protecting and restoring ecosystems, and promoting responsible water use. Only through these efforts can we avoid irreversible land degradation and guarantee water security for the population and productive sectors.
