As the planet warms, Spain's mountains are losing their snow . Regions with high altitudes and minimal human activity have become prime examples of the effects of global warming in our country. This phenomenon is having a devastating impact on the glaciers of the Pyrenees and other mountainous regions of Spain, leading to the disappearance of these critical ecosystems in the near future.
In the last century, almost 90% of the glacial extent in Spain has disappeared, and this retreat of the ice has been accelerating since 1980. Recent studies indicate that, if the situation continues as it is, in 40 years there could be no glaciers left, which would have dramatic repercussions not only for local biodiversity, but also for the communities that depend on meltwater for their water supply.
The Maladeta glacier, located in the Pyrenees, has lost one meter of thickness in the last century. During this period, its surface area has shrunk from 50 hectares to just 23,3. The thickness of the ice sheet has decreased by two and a half meters in some areas, and the glacier only remains above 3000 meters in altitude.
But why is this happening? The answer is related to the climate. In northern Spain, it snows less and less . According to a study by the Cantabria Meteorology Group (UC), snowfall has decreased by 60% during the winter and 50% in the spring since the beginning of the century. In the early 60s and 70s, between five and eight million liters of snow fell, but in the last decade this volume has been reduced to 2,65 million liters.
Furthermore, the average temperature has risen from 5 degrees Celsius to over 8. There has also been a decrease in precipitation of up to 25%, falling from 16 billion liters to 12 billion, resulting in a 50% decrease in accumulated snow, according to the assessment carried out by the Ebro River Basin Authority (CHE) between 1984 and 2014 using the Erhin program.
At this rate, it is predicted that by 2060 there may be no glaciers left in Spain. The 2024 CLIVAR-Spain report documents the accelerated retreat of glaciers over the last decade, with significant losses in extent and thickness. This report, which was presented at the Biodiversity Foundation, highlights that Spanish glaciers have seen a reduction in number and have begun to enter the final stages of their life cycle.
The Accelerated Decline of the Cryosphere
The report reveals that over 80% of the glaciers have disappeared and, if this trend continues, they could vanish completely within 26 years. This crisis threatens not only the country's biodiversity and water supply, but also the climate balance of the entire region. The loss of glaciers affects the rivers and lakes that sustain millions of people, as well as the ecological stability of the surrounding valleys.
Permafrost, the permanently frozen ground, is disappearing in the Sierra Nevada and shows clear signs of warming in the Pyrenees, accelerating instability phenomena such as rockfalls and avalanches. This situation poses a risk to mountaineers and hikers in the highest mountain ranges and highlights the need to develop specific guidelines to mitigate these hazards. Furthermore, long-term records show a decrease in the duration of snow cover and its maximum accumulation on the Iberian Peninsula, jeopardizing water resources that depend on melting snow in mountain areas.
The glaciers of the Pyrenees, the southernmost in Europe, are very sensitive to environmental conditions because they lie on the climatic frontier. These glaciers have been the subject of various studies, which have shown that since 1981, the thickness of the ice has lost 30 meters and their extent has shrunk by more than half, or 64%. At this rate, the Aneto glacier, the largest in Spain, could disappear in the next decade.
The Waters Surrounding Spain
Data collected by CLIVAR-Spain confirms that all ocean waters surrounding Spain are warming at a rate 67% faster than the global average , representing an increase of 0,25°C per decade, compared to 0,15°C in the rest of the world's oceans. The Mediterranean, in particular, is one of the regions most affected by climate change, with a warming rate two to three times higher than the global average since the 1980s. This phenomenon is causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves, as well as greater salinization of its surface waters.
This increase in temperature also intensifies convective events and extreme precipitation, especially in autumn, which could increase the risk of adverse weather events. All these changes are interrelated and fuel a spiral of drought and desertification in the most vulnerable areas, such as southern Europe, where projections indicate that aridity and drought severity will continue to worsen.
Climate Challenges and Emerging Risks
A sustained decline in relative humidity and an increase in oceanic evaporation are exacerbating episodes of drought and desertification in southern Europe. Projections suggest that more than 80% of mountainous areas could experience an increase in extreme droughts, between 150% and 200% more likely if global temperatures rise by two degrees. According to the Greenpeace report, in the next 20 years, Spain could experience droughts ten times worse than the current ones.
Forest clearing and intensive land use for commercial crops have led to soil degradation in mountainous areas. This loss of vegetation cover reduces the soil's ability to retain water, which in turn exacerbates drought and accelerates glacial melting. Furthermore, mass tourism in mountainous regions also contributes to pressure on these fragile ecosystems. Ski resorts and infrastructure construction increase the demand for natural resources, increasing the vulnerability of glaciers and their surroundings.
Mountain ecosystems are home to a rich variety of bird, mammal, and amphibian species, many of which are uniquely adapted to the cold conditions of high mountains. The disappearance of glaciers also puts biodiversity at risk, as these species are forced to migrate to higher altitudes, affecting the ecological balance of the region.
As glaciers melt rapidly, millions of people face water scarcity and increased risks of natural disasters, such as flooding. However, there are still opportunities to reverse some of this environmental damage through appropriate public policies, such as Spain's Nature Restoration Law, which seeks to protect key ecosystems and encourage reforestation.
The preservation of the Pyrenees glaciers is crucial not only for aesthetic or tourism reasons, but also because they represent a vital source of water for millions of people and for global biodiversity. Without urgent action , the future of these glaciers is uncertain and depends on collective action to mitigate climate change and its effects.
