A practical toolkit for wetland management and conservation: Lessons from reclassifying urban land into a protected area

Wetlands are vital for preserving the health of our planet and sustaining both human and wildlife populations, yet they continue to be lost and degraded at alarming rates. In Spain—where over 60% of wetlands have disappeared in the last 50 years—the conversion of urban land into protected wetland is exceedingly rare. This study documents the remarkable case of Charca de Suárez in southern Spain, a site once designated for urban development, reclassified in 1999 as a ‘Concerted Nature Reserve’. This research compiled a set of tools and strategies used to restore and manage the Charca de Suárez wetland, based on 2 years (2021–2023) of input from staff, researchers, managers, volunteers and visitors. The resulting toolkit integrates infrastructure development, hydrological and biological restoration, long-term biodiversity monitoring, adaptive management and environmental education, with a strong emphasis on inclusive community engagement to foster local stewardship of the reserve. Biodiversity outcomes demonstrate significant improvements, especially in populations of threatened bird and butterfly species, confirming the ecological effectiveness of the implemented strategies. The reserve now provides habitat for more than half of Andalusia's threatened species and is currently under consideration for inclusion in the European Natura 2000 network. Practical implication: The Charca de Suárez case shows that even land once destined for urban development can be turned into thriving wetlands. Its multi-faceted management model, combining ecological restoration with community involvement, offers an adaptable framework to guide wetland conservation and inspire recovery efforts worldwide.

Agencia de Innovación y Desarrollo de Andalucía (Grant/Award Number: POSTDOC-21-00044)

Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MCIU) (Grant/Award Number: PID2020- 118872RB-I00, PID2022-136280NA-I00 and PID2024-161345NB-I00)

MICIU/AEI - ESF+ - Junta de Andalucía, Ramón y Cajal programme (RYC2023- 042504-I)