One third of the Balearic Islands' territory is undergoing desertification.

PalmA third of the territory of the Balearic Islands is undergoing desertification. Data fromAtlas of Desertification in Spain Newly published studies confirm that this phenomenon affects approximately 1,600 square kilometers of the archipelago's total surface area. But the first thing experts point out is that "desertification doesn't mean a desert is being created. It's a process of land degradation, resulting from a series of causes, and what is certain is that it occurs wherever there is aridity," explains Enrique Morán, a geographer at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). "Therefore," he insists, "when desertification percentages are presented, we should primarily reflect on the fact that these are territories where the soil has been impoverished and degraded. So, even if there isn't a very large change in terms of vegetation, which is the last to occur, a weakening has already begun, which is not at all positive." Experts consider desertification itself to be a degradation of the land, since as it progresses, ecosystems lose fertility, regenerative capacity, and environmental quality—a process influenced by both climate and human activity. According to recent Atlas of Desertification in SpainUp to 87% of the Balearic territory is considered arid, and therefore susceptible to desertification. Of these arid zones, 33.7% are already degraded, which is equivalent to approximately one-third of the total territory of the Balearic Islands (29.3%), placing the archipelago among the most vulnerable regions in Spain.

One of the Atlas's main authors, Jaime Martínez Valderrama, who is also a scientist at the Arid Zones Experimental Station (EEZA) and a member of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), told ARABalears that "it's important to understand that the process only takes place in certain areas; a very high percentage of the territory is arid, and therefore has many spaces where, if certain circumstances arise, desertification can occur," he stated. Arid zones are those where there is a disproportion between the water that arrives and the water lost through evaporation. Arid zones can include true deserts, but also semi-arid and dry sub-humid landscapes, where vegetation is limited and soils are vulnerable to degradation, as is the case in the Balearic Islands.

Climate change is not the main cause

Contrary to what some might think, climate change is not, at least not yet, the main cause of degradation and desertification. If we look at the accumulated rainfall curves of recent years, "we can see that there are cycles, but in reality, we can conclude that, for the moment, neither rainfall has decreased enough nor has the average temperature increased enough to consider that they are having a very significant effect that would increase soil degradation," says Enrique Morán. In fact, even Menorca and the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range show a trend toward increased humidity, while the most worrying scenario is observed in Formentera and southern Ibiza (see main graph), areas where there is a clear trend toward aridity.

So, while the current climate isn't the primary cause, scientists agree that "it's human activity that most affects the soil and contributes to its degradation," Morán asserts. Water consumption has skyrocketed in recent years in the Canary Islands, and considering that over 70% of the supply comes from aquifers, this causes significant harm, as progressive salinization "is a major problem, because it's very difficult for them to recover and because sea salt seeps in and rises until it reaches the subsoil," he warns. But the fact that the climate hasn't been as significant as it might seem is no cause for complacency among experts, as it's precisely the combination of factors that is worrying: "The rise in temperatures will cause more evaporation and transpiration from the soil, a scenario that compels us to take measures with some urgency," says Morán.

The authors ofAtlas of Desertification They believe that, therefore, it is more important than ever to "map these processes to understand where and how the degradation is occurring," since their work is a "snapshot," says Martínez Valderrama. The fact that there are few studies with this level of detail and that they use his method makes comparison difficult, but most specialists agree that, both in Spain as a whole and in the Balearic Islands, the situation is worsening. "In recent years, the population living in the most arid areas has grown by 25%. Because, as is the case in the Balearic Islands, we like arid areas, since that's where it's warmer and where life is better, where there are more terraces," says the author.

Of course, this population increase also has a lot to do with the rise in tourism, which "seeks the same thing: good temperatures, escaping the gray skies of northern Europe. And of course, at the time of year when water is most needed, more people and visitors flock to arid, water-scarce areas," explains Jaime Martínez Valderrama.

Specifically, "the data included in the Atlas are extensive and detailed, with maps on arid zones, land use, water resources, biodiversity, and human impact," with the intention—say the authors—"that these tools can be useful for scientists, managers, and policymakers alike." A proper understanding of desertification "is key to halting its progression and preserving natural resources," especially in vulnerable territories like the Balearic Islands, states Martínez Valderrama. In Spain, 67.1% of the territory is considered arid, with 40.9% already desertified and 60.9% at risk of desertification, according to official Atlas data. Comparatively, the Balearic Islands have a much higher percentage of arid zones, but a similar proportion of degradation within their susceptible territory. Other regions, such as Catalonia, have 53.5% arid territory, with 30.4% already desertified.

Island territories, at greatest risk

The increase in drought, combined with the natural vulnerability of island ecosystems, significantly increases the risk of desertification and could extend the affected area beyond the current third of the territory. The most paradigmatic case is Formentera, where the balance between naturally available water resources and human pressure is "completely unsustainable," confirms Enrique Morán. Regarding the good news about the state of the soil in the Islands, the increase in forest cover, resulting from the abandonment of rural areas, is noteworthy. However, this is not entirely positive in terms of water availability, since "this situation also entails greater water consumption, an already limited resource," Morán reminds us.

Experts also warn that far from diminishing, urban and tourist pressure continues to grow, leading to even greater overexploitation of aquifers and increased soil erosion, "processes that accelerate environmental degradation and make territories more vulnerable to aridity," according to the UIB geographer. This combination of climatic, ecological, and human factors makes the Balearic Islands a particularly fragile territory, where desertification can advance rapidly if preventive measures are not taken.

The current situation shows that desertification is not just a future risk, but a present problem already affecting a significant part of the Balearic Islands. The consequences of this phenomenon can be profound, affecting soil productivity, water availability, biodiversity, and the sustainability of economic activities, especially tourism, which depends directly on natural resources and the landscape. "It's an issue that many people don't understand, because when you talk about aridity and desertification, many can't help but think it's a distant and unrelated problem. I always explain that 80% of Spain's population already lives in an arid zone, and therefore we shouldn't wait to see a specific landscape; we're talking about our environment," Martín insists. Experts are calling for immediate and coordinated action from public authorities "because what we can't do is irrigate more because it's hotter and more water evaporates, or have more tourism that consumes this essential resource at the worst time of year," they conclude.