The Ebro Delta in southern Catalonia
Today’s Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the Ebro Delta on the northeastern coast of Spain, which is one of the largest wetlands along the Mediterranean Sea coast.
The Ebro Delta has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It provides an important habitat for flamingos and many migratory birds.
According to NASA, the delta is home to 62,000 people, and has been greatly modified by human use. The wetlands have been converted into rice fields, which now cover up to 80 percent of the delta. In addition, more than 187 dams have been built on Ebro River and its tributaries.
Ocean waves control the shape and form of the delta. Sea-level rise and more frequent and intense storms are making the waves bigger.
Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory
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By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer
