While the sand of Maspalomas was baking under the late June sun, far from the usual hustle and bustle, science was at work. Not in a cold laboratory, but in the very heart of the Special Nature Reserve of the Dunes: the Charca de Maspalomas. This coastal wetland, a biodiversity sanctuary and part of the Natura 2000 Network, became, during the week of June 24-27, the testing ground for crucial research to understand and combat the effects of climate change.
Researchers from the University of La Laguna (ULL) and the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME-CSIC), pillars of the European project NATALIE (Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Adaptation Integrated into Policies at Regional and Local Level), have deployed a technological and analytical arsenal to transform the Charca into a true "natural laboratory." The objective is far from trivial: to strengthen climate resilience through nature-based solutions (NbS), with a direct focus on an ecosystem already showing signs of stress.
The campaign, which had the fundamental support of Canaragua and the Environmental Service of the Gran Canaria Island Council, focused on measuring and understanding groundwater dynamics, environmental quality, and the complex interaction between hydrological and ecological processes in this delicate enclave.
The Maspalomas Pond is no ordinary wetland. It is a meeting point for groundwater and surface water, flanked by a unique dune system and home to a remarkable wealth of plants and birds. Its status as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) under the Natura 2000 Network underscores its value, but also its extreme vulnerability to tourist pressure and environmental changes.
It is precisely this vulnerability that makes it an ideal pilot case for the NATALIE project, funded by the Horizon Europe program. In the Canary Islands, the project focuses on sensitive island areas such as Maspalomas to assess the impact of climate change on water, biodiversity, and land management. Professor Juan Carlos Santamarta (ULL) and Aquatec are coordinating the project on the islands, with the prominent participation of hydrogeologist Alejandro García Gil of the IGME-CSIC.
One of the pillars of this campaign has been the maintenance and calibration of a network of multiparameter sensors. Strategically installed in aquifer boreholes and in the pond itself, these devices record hourly data on the piezometric level, temperature, and water conductivity. This capability allows for real-time detection of critical phenomena such as saline intrusion, recharge, and variations in water quality linked to external pressures.
But the observation extended beyond automatic measurements. The scientific team conducted integrated sampling of the aquifer and lagoon. The analyses included microbiological studies, the detection of emerging contaminants (such as unregulated pharmaceuticals and chemicals), the assessment of microplastics, and the collection of environmental isotopes. These samples are crucial for understanding diffuse pollution, the interconnections between groundwater and surface water, and the cumulative impact of human activity on an already fragile ecosystem.
One of the technical milestones of the campaign was the high-resolution bathymetry of the pond and its margins. Using multibeam echosounders mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (USVs) and LIDAR sensors on drones, the three-dimensional mapping of the wetland has been updated with unprecedented precision, even in areas of difficult access or dense vegetation. This information is vital for developing physical models of the pond and predicting its behavior in the face of climatic variations, water table fluctuations, or changes in land use within its basin.
The data collected during this intensive week will allow researchers to develop continuous hydrogeological models, estimate the lagoon's water balance, and analyze its geomorphological evolution over time. Factors such as rainfall, wind, evapotranspiration, and the ubiquitous tourist activity will be integrated to propose more adaptive management of the space.
"This campaign represents an unprecedented effort to gain a detailed understanding of the functioning of the Maspalomas coastal aquifer system," explains Juan Carlos Santamarta of the University of La Laguna. "We have managed to integrate advanced technologies, hydrochemical analysis, and key environmental parameters into a single, continuous observation framework."
For his part, Alejandro García Gil, from IGME-CSIC, emphasizes the interdependence of the ecosystem: "The dynamics of the Maspalomas Pond cannot be understood without a detailed study of the coastal aquifer that feeds it. Tourist pressure, overexploitation, and climate change require a conservation strategy that takes into account the behavior of groundwater, supported by high-resolution data and rigorous scientific models."
With this ambitious campaign, the Maspalomas Pond is not only protecting itself, but also establishing itself as an internationally recognized benchmark for climate change adaptation in island wetlands. It provides a solid scientific basis for future conservation strategies, confirming that rigorous science is the only possible roadmap to ensuring the future of our natural heritage.
