7ES014 Pantano de El Hondo
Coordinates: 38º10'N - 000º42'W Elevation: 3-9 m Area:2,387 ha
Location:
The site is located about 11 km south-southwest of the city of Elx, Alicante province, in the autonomous region of Comunidad Valenciana (Valencia). It lies approximately 10 km inland (west) of the Salinas de Santa Pola Ramsar site.
Criteria:
1a, 2a, 2c, 3b, 3c
El Hondo contains five vegetation communities which are endemic to south and southeastern Spain. These are Halimiono - Sarcocornetum alpini, Cistancho lutae - Arthrocnemetum fruticosae, Frankenio - Arthrocnemetum macrostachyi, Frankenio corymbosae - Halocnemetum strobilacei and Limonio caesii - Lygeetum sparti. The plant species Cynomorium coccineum also has a restricted distribution area. The fish species Aphanius iberus and the crustacean Palaemonetes zariquieyi are endemic too. The area is extremely important for breeding birds, including the endangered duck Marmaronetta angustirostris (13-21 pairs in 1992). Other nesting species which meet the Ramsar criteria include Ixobrychus minutus, Egretta garzetta, Ardea purpurea, Oxyura leucocephala, Himantopus himantopus, Sterna albifrons, Chlidonias hybridus, Glareola pratincola, Ardeola ralloides and Acrocephalus melanopogon. Large numbers of Anatidae (15,000 - 20,000) occur in winter, the most numerous species being Anas clypeata (up to 4,000) and Netta rufina (1,500).
Wetland Types:
6, O, R, Sp, Tp, (4), (9) (dominant type listed first)
The site consists of two large reservoirs and associated natural wetlands, in the floodplain of the Rivers Vinalop¢ and Segura. The manmade lakes contain fresh water, but parts of the surrounding natural marshes are brackish.
Biological/
Ecological notes
The site contains beds of marsh vegetation belonging to the classes Phragmitetea, Lemnetea and Potamotea, salt-tolerant vegetation belonging to the class Arthrocnemetea, cultivated fields and palm groves. The site is also an important breeding area for Tadorna tadorna, Netta rufina (500 pairs), Botaurus stellaris, Phoenicopterus ruber and Circus aeruginosus.
Hydrological/
Physical notes
 The Canal de Levante (21.5 km long) carries water from the River Segura to the entire region of Alicante and Elx. It passes through El Hondo over a distance of 5.9 km, supplying water to the two reservoirs Embalse de Poniente and Embalse de Levante. The reservoirs (average depth 1.5 m) are used for irrigation purposes and are linked with the canal by five gates, which allow inflow and outflow to be controlled. The irrigated fields are fringed by brackish/saline pools, which are formed by natural seepage of water from the Vinalop¢ River. The site contains water throughout the year, although in summer the levels are significantly lower than in winter.
Human uses
The area is privately owned and contains many irrigated fields. Human activities within the site also include hunting and fishing. The surrounding areas are intensively cultivated. In total 40,000 ha is irrigated with water from the site.

Conservation
Measures

The area has been designated a Natural Park (Paraje Natural). It is also an EU Special Protection Area for wild birds. A management plan for the site is in preparation. A Marmaronetta angustirostris Recovery Plan as well as a Tadorna tadorna Management Plan are being developed too.
Adverse
Factors 		The water in the reservoirs is highly contaminated by agricultural, industrial and domestic effluents, while illegal dumping of refuse within the site is also a problem. Over-pumping for irrigation has caused water shortages in the natural wetlands. Hunting and fishing are also insufficiently controlled. There are plans for the construction of a motorway (autopista) from Alicante to Cartagena, which would pass close to the site with possible adverse effect.
References {a16}