The great drought

Extended description: Oldtimers say it is the worst in living memory and perhaps the gravest this century. Grain farmers have already lost over 90% of their crops and olive and almond growers are preparing themselves for the worst. This year, a dryish spring followed on the heels of a dry, cold winter. That is why even lush mountain meadows are quickly disappearing. As streams dry up, livestock farmers are forced to buy fodder and bring in water by tanker just to keep their herds alive. Many herdsmen simply cannot afford the expense of such measures and are likely to be wiped out by the drought. Nature too is reeling - forest fires are raging and even hardy century-old holm oaks are dying in the parched forest soils. But the problems are not confined to the countryside. Some reservoirs, like the one at Baells supplying water to Barcelona, are at an all-time low. Experts say that global warming will only make things worse in the future. But for the moment, poor water management is still very much to blame for the shortage. Housing estates on the outskirts of Barcelona feature swimming pools and golf courses as developers ignore environmental considerations. The problem is compounded by primitive irrigation systems, rampant over-development, poor planning, and new projects for tourism requiring excessive water consumption. The writing is on the wall. Catalonia will have to make harsh long-term water management decisions now and these may entail usage restrictions. - Ribelles, Noguera Trasllat de ruscos d'abelles de nit Home ensenyant plantes de romaní que s'han assecat i que moriran - Camarasa, Noguera Apicultor treballant PD abelles DP Elaboració de mel Josep M. Bonet, apicultor, fent forats a bossa de glucosa, explica que els l'ha de donar perquè si no se li moririen de gana les abelles - La Vall Fosca, Pallars Jussà Vehicle dels agents rurals circulant Alzines amb fulles seques PM Josep M. Puigarnau, agent rural, diu que és una sequera que no es veu i parla del risc d'incendi PD fulles seques d'alzina Peixos a riu Agents rurals controlant riu PM Josep M. Puigarnau, agent rural, diu que els afecta la manca de cabal i que els barrancs laterals estan totalment secs PM Josep Enric Llebot, coordinador Informe Canvi Climàtic Catalunya, explica per què podem parlar de canvi climàtic - Estavill, Pallars Jussà Paisatge de muntanya, prats, arbres, poble PD herba esgrogueïda Ramader posant palla al prat perquè mengin les vaques Vaques i vedells PM Ramon Boneta, rama