7Es021 Lagunas de Alcázar de San Juan
Coordinates: 39º24'N - 003º15'W Elevation: 0 m Area:160 ha
Location:
The site is located about 5 km northwest of the town of Alcázar de San Juan, and 75 km northeast of the city of Ciudad Real, Ciudad Real province, in the autonomous region of Castilla-La Mancha, central Spain. This site is 25 km west of Laguna de la Vega and 30 km west of Laguna de Manjavacas.
Criteria:
1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2d, 3b
The lagoons are important for nesting waterbirds, including Himantopus himantopus, Recurvirostra avosetta (>100 pairs), Gelochelidon nilotica (500 nests), Larus ridibundus, Anas strepera and Netta rufina. The site is also important for wintering waterbirds, especially Anas spp., Netta rufina and Fulica atra.
Wetland Types:
Q, Ss
The site includes two separate lagoons, Laguna del Camino de Villafranca (160 ha) and Laguna de las Yeguas (80 ha). Both are highly saline and support halophytic vegetation.
Biological/
Ecological notes
The halophytic flora includes Suaeda splendens, Cressa cretica, Salsola soda, and Puccinelia fasciculata. Beds of Phragmites australis and Scirpus sp. occur to the north of the Laguna del Camino de Villafranca. Both lagoons support submerged beds of Chara spp. The lagoons contain several islands which are important nesting sites for waterbirds.
Hydrological/
Physical notes
 The site is located in western La Mancha, in the southern sub-plateau. The lagoons are located in an enclosed arid drainage basin covering about 6,600 ha, with only little seasonal rainfall. They lie on the northern edge of "aquifer 23", which is over-exploitated by pumping. The climate is extreme continental, with maxima higher than 40 ºC and minima as low as -14 ºC.
Human uses
The area is used for conservation, research and birdwatching.

Conservation
Measures

The lagoons are a Wildlife Refuge (Refugio de Caza). In 1992 a management plan was under development. The most sensitive areas, with nesting birds, have been fenced. Hunting is forbidden. Some limnological research takes place, as well as the restoration of the original plant communities. A general brochure dealing with the La Mancha Lagoons is available. Visits are promoted and are free. Two observation hides are available for booked visitors
Adverse
Factors 		The lagoon holds the wastewaters from Alcazar de San Juan, after being purified by a conventional plant. Daily output is about 7,500 cubic m. Negative impacts of wastewaters have been eliminated by purification.
References {a16}