Protected areas
The archipelago has a national maritime-terrestrial park, as well as parks, reserves and natural monuments. These areas aim to reconcile the preservation of ecosystems and public awareness, through discovery trails and nature activities. They include
Cabrera Archipelago Marine-Terrestrial National Park: protects exceptional, fragile marine and terrestrial biodiversity, and is home to some absolutely magnificent landscapes and environments, such as the famous Cabrera Blue Cave. Access to the archipelago is by boat, and there are numerous hiking trails. Snorkeling is another way to discover the park's treasures.
Mondragó Nature Park mondragó Nature Park: located in the south-east of Majorca, this park protects a rich biodiversity, including endemic species of flowers. Many birds can also be seen here.
Parc naturel de la Peninsula de Llevant : in the northeast of Majorca, this park boasts a remarkable natural and cultural heritage. Its landscapes, between sea and mountains, are extremely varied and beautiful. Nature lovers will discover endemic species such as the Balearic St. John's wort and the Balearic snail.
Serra de Tramuntana: located to the west of Majorca, this mountain range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers extremely beautiful landscapes along its hiking trails.
Sa Dragonera Nature Park : located on the island of Sa Dragonera, south-west of Majorca, this park is home to exceptional biodiversity, including the lizards to which it owes its name ("dragones"). Access is regulated.
S'Albufera des Grau Nature Park located in the north-east of Menorca, this lagoon is home to a remarkable biodiversity of flora and fauna, including some 270 species of birds. Birdwatchers can take advantage of the park's birdwatching stations.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve : located to the north-east of Menorca, it protects remarkable wetlands, home to migratory birds.
Ses Salines d'Ibiza et de Formentera Nature Park: a UNESCO World Heritage site, it protects remarkable terrestrial ecosystems, as well as rich marine biodiversity (associated with Posidonia meadows).
In addition to human pressures, the islands are also faced with invasive plant species (including Carpobrotus edulis, nicknamed "patata frita" or "león's tooth"). The biodiversity crisis is also linked to pollution and environmental fragmentation, and is exacerbated by climate change.
An ambitious waste reduction policy
The annual production of waste in the Balearic Islands is estimated at around 800 kg per inhabitant, one of the highest rates in Spain (source zerowaste). This production, linked to tourist numbers (20 million visitors in 2017), often exceeds the capacity of the archipelago's waste treatment centres (incinerators). This situation contributes to the plastic pollution of the sea. The Mediterranean, which constitutes 1% of the world's marine waters, concentrates 7% of plastic pollution (source: www.wwf.fr). Most of this pollution is invisible to the naked eye (plastics in the form of nano- and micro-particles) and comes from aqueous effluents. Solid plastic waste is also found on the island, often after rainy periods. Beach cleaning campaigns are regularly initiated by environmental protection associations. Faced with these issues, the archipelago has enacted a law in 2019 aimed at reducing waste at source. It commits the Balearic Islands to a circular economy approach, a pioneer in Spain, associated with quantified objectives. In particular, it bans many single-use plastics containing micro and nano-plastics and water bottles. This law applies to households, but also to the hotel, restaurant and event sector. It is accompanied by awareness-raising and financial incentives.
The Balearic Islands and climate change
The archipelago is particularly vulnerable to climate change. This could take the form of a greater frequency and intensity of extreme events: droughts, floods, heat waves, storms, all of which would exacerbate soil erosion and environmental degradation. Added to this is the risk of land submergence (due to rising sea levels). Rising sea temperatures, for their part, will disrupt ecosystems, with deleterious effects on plankton and the entire food chain. As a result, all living things - of which we are a part - are under threat. A UN report published in December 2020 indicates that we are on a trajectory of +3.1°C on a global scale. The Mediterranean Network of Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC), which brings together over 600 researchers, produced a report in November 2020 on environmental risks in the Mediterranean region, aimed at scientists and decision-makers. It calls for action to limit global warming and adapt to its effects. In response to this urgency, the Balearic government enacted a law in 2018 to establish a low-carbon strategy. This is based on a ban on new diesel cars from 2025, the development of renewable energies (including solar/thermal, electric car rental fleet) and the closure of thermal power plants by 2035, in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The aim is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Visitors can also contribute to this strategy. The archipelago offers numerous opportunities for ecotourism: active mobility (walking and cycling itineraries), consumption of local products and sobriety in the use of resources. A tourist tax was introduced in 2016, the proceeds of which are used to fund environmental projects. In our everyday actions, we are also agents of change in favor of the climate and biodiversity.
