Ebro Delta

The Ebro Delta is the delta region of the Ebro River (Catalan: Ebre, Spanish: Ebro), in the Province of Tarragona, Catalonia, in northeastern Spain. It is on the Mediterranean Sea, and is the northernmost point, by some designations, of the Gulf of Valencia. Its location per Ramsar site designation is.GeographyThe Ebro Delta is one of the largest wetland areas 320km2 in the western Mediterranean region. The Ebro delta has expanded rapidly on soils washed downriver. The town of Amposta, a seaport in the 4th century, demonstrates the historical rate of growth of the delta as it is now located well inland from the current river mouth. The rounded form of the delta attests to the balance between sediment deposition by the Ebro and removal of this material by wave erosion.The area at the primary mouth of the Ebro is currently protected by several fluvial islands: the Isle of Garxal (280ha), the Isle of Sant Antoni (170ha), and the Isle of Buddha (1231ha).The Ebro Delta was placed, with 7.736 ha in 1993, on the Ramsar Convention list of wetlands of international importance as defined for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.UsesAgricultureSome delta areas have been drained for agricultural use over the centuries. The modern delta is in intensive agricultural use for rice, fruit (in particular citrus), and vegetables. A network of canals and irrigation ditches constructed by both agricultural and conservation groups are helping to maintain the ecologic and economic resources of the Ebro Delta.