Catalonia's Natural Resources: Minerals, Water Scarcity, and Conservation

Catalonia's Natural Resources and Biodiversity

Catalonia is poor in mineral resources but rich in biodiversity. It encompasses a remarkable diversity of habitats, plant species, and animal species. The forest is the habitat that occupies the greatest extent of the territory.

Energy Mineral Resources

Most coal basins are located in the Pyrenees and the Central Depression. However, coal deposits have low production, forcing the country to import coal and petroleum. Petroleum is also scarce; the deposits that have been exploited are in Tarragona, meaning this resource also heavily depends on imports.

Non-Energy Mineral Resources

Potassic salts are the most notable non-energy mineral resource in Catalonia. Other minerals, such as iron and lead, exist but have never exceeded local importance.

The primary extractive activity currently focuses on industrial rocks intended for construction, such as granite and sandstone. This exploitation generates visual impact, often marring the landscapes.

Soil: A Crucial and Scarce Resource

Soil is a crucial resource because it is where vegetation develops. Its composition and characteristics depend on the nature of the bedrock, climate, and the action of living organisms. Soil is a scarce resource, and its conservation is threatened by various anthropogenic causes that promote loss, such as erosion.

Vegetation and Biogeographic Domains

The existence of diverse and extensive plant coverage ensures the maintenance of biodiversity and provides society with a multitude of resources, including wood and food. The development of vegetation results from the combination of soil nature and climatic conditions.

In Catalonia, three major vegetation domains are represented, characteristic of three major biogeographic regions:

• Boreoalpine
• Eurosiberian
• Mediterranean

Water Resources and Management

Water resources consist of surface water (from rivers and lakes) and subterranean water. Water is essential for human life, crops, livestock feeding, and hygiene.

Dams supplied water for cultivation and urban use. The construction of canals to convert rainfed areas into irrigated areas has been a key water infrastructure development in Catalonia.

As water consumption continues to grow, water is now a scarce resource, and some areas are subject to occasional restrictions, especially during the summer.

Protected Natural Areas (PEIN)

During the twentieth century, most countries began creating protected natural areas under various names (national parks, nature reserves, etc.). States defined areas of interest based on their landscape value and natural wealth, requiring legal protection.

The purpose of these areas is to maintain biodiversity and ensure this legacy for future generations. Protected natural areas contribute to maintaining regional balance, preventing the urbanization of the entire territory, and serve as a resource for understanding and enjoying nature.

In Catalonia, there are over 140 natural areas managed by the PEIN (Plan for Areas of Natural Interest). In addition to their intrinsic value, these areas have also become a major economic resource, particularly through tourism.