Jose Javier Matamala is a naturalist, scientist communicator at Almediam, and pioneer in conservation of wetlands in Almeria. He spoke to this newspaper about the drying out that is affecting the Cabo De Gata salt flats.
“What I see is that there was an accident, it’s not normal that torrential rainfalls fell this spring, which favored the collapse the entrance channel,” he says, without explaining that “the confrontation between political groups and parties is an accident.” He explains that it is natural that we must work together to resolve it.
The sediments have been pushing into the tunnel from the locks caused by various storms, mostly debris and landslides. Matamala says that to fix the tunnel, mining companies must take responsibility. “It is not a job for anyone, but there are companies who have offered to help.”
Matamala stresses that it is devastating for neighbors and naturalists to see the state Las Salinas. “It is not the first instance it has happened but it is the most severe, I have no doubt the Environment Department works to restore the water.”
It has been conducting censuses within this enclave since 1981. This enclave was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997. The protected area is 49,624 hectares. For thirty years, it has seen that “very positive results have been achieved” (coherence of industrial cycle, which is the use salt with biological cycles, the reproduction animals>>). Jose Javier Matamala points out that “the ponds may not be completely dry” and that there are endangered species like the Kentish plover or the snowy plover. However, my experience would suggest that they would remain dry for at least ten to fifteen days because they are fed on the “mud at the bottom”, ditch.
The naturalist believes that once the water supply system is in good shape, then the species will be able to return to the area. He believes that the wetlands could be filled as soon as August 15th to keep the chicks from being disturbed by the remaining individuals.