Supersites
Supersites are the components of the DANUBIUS-RI distributed Research Infrastructure which will be the test beds of the DANUBIUS-RI scientifically excellent ideas, areas where the developed concepts will be refined and verified. They will provide natural laboratories for observation, research, modelling and innovation at locations of high scientific importance and opportunity, covering RS systems from river source to transitional waters and coastal seas.
Ranging from the near pristine to the heavily impacted, the Supersites will be selected to provide contrasting systems across environmental, social and economic gradients that have been impacted, to varying degrees either directly or indirectly, by industrialisation, urbanisation, population expansion, land use change and farming. They will provide interdisciplinary research platforms and identify, model and define system states and conditions for naturally and anthropogenically triggered transitions in the physical, biogeochemical and biological states. They will provide excellent opportunities to undertake social and economic investigations in contrasting settings.
Guadalquivir Estuary – Spain
The Guadalquivir Estuary is the region where the Guadalquivir River meets the Atlantic Ocean in southern Spain. It is located in the Andalusia region, near the city of Sanlúcar de Barrameda and the Doñana National Park. The estuary is a dynamic and ecologically rich area, characterized by its tidal influence, wetlands, and diverse ecosystems.
The estuary and its surrounding wetlands are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including many endangered species. It is a critical habitat for migratory birds, fish, and other wildlife. The nearby Doñana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Europe’s most important wetland reserves and a key stopover for birds migrating between Africa and Europe. The estuary supports local economies through fishing, aquaculture, and agriculture. The fertile lands around the estuary are used for growing crops, including rice and fruits.
It is also important for tourism, particularly birdwatching and nature-based tourism, which contribute to the regional economy. The Guadalquivir River and its estuary have played a significant role in the history of Spain. The river was a vital trade route during the Roman and Moorish periods and was key to the exploration and colonization of the Americas during the Age of Discovery.
The port of Seville, located upstream on the Guadalquivir, was one of the most important ports in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. The estuary is a natural laboratory for studying coastal and estuarine processes, including sediment transport, tidal dynamics, and ecosystem interactions. It serves as a buffer zone, protecting inland areas from flooding and storm surges.
The Guadalquivir Estuary faces environmental threats such as pollution, habitat loss, and the impacts of climate change (e.g., sea-level rise). Conservation efforts are underway to protect its ecosystems, including sustainable management practices and international cooperation under frameworks like the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.