The Mediterranean region is increasingly facing a profound environmental transformation marked by rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and growing risks of both drought and extreme floods. Scientists describe this phenomenon as a “fracture” in the Mediterranean water cycle, where traditional climatic patterns that historically regulated water availability are becoming destabilised. This disruption has serious consequences for ecosystems, agriculture, and human settlements, particularly in regions such as eastern Spain, where climate pressures interact with long-standing territorial and urban planning issues. One of the key characteristics of the Mediterranean climate has traditionally been the alternation between dry summers and wetter seasons. However, climate change is intensifying this pattern. Rainfall is becoming less frequent but more extreme, which means that when precipitation occurs it often arrives in short, violent storms rather than steady, absorbable rain. As a result, much of the water runs off quickly instead of infiltrating the soil, increasing the risk of floods while simultaneously contributing to long-term drought conditions. Experts also emphasise that desertification in the Mediterranean cannot be explained by climate change alone. Human land use has played a significant role in aggravating the problem. Rapid urban expansion, the sealing of soil through construction, intensive agriculture, and poor land management have reduced the natural capacity of the territory to absorb and retain water. When landscapes lose vegetation and permeable soil, they become less resilient to both drought and torrential rainfall. The consequences of this fractured water cycle are already visible. Regions are experiencing more frequent heatwaves, reduced “useful rainfall” for agriculture, and catastrophic events such as the severe floods associated with Mediterranean storm systems. These developments highlight the urgent need for more sustainable territorial planning, ecological restoration, and improved water management strategies. Ultimately, addressing Mediterranean desertification requires a combination of climate adaptation and responsible land use. Without significant changes in how the territory is managed, environmental degradation and water scarcity are likely to intensify in the coming decades.
