Additionally, due to overfishing, the eel and bass populations of the Albufera have decreased significantly in recent years, leading to an increase in grey fish and blue crab populations in the lake. As the latter species are the prey of the former, a decrease in eels and bass has caused an explosion of the less desirable and less traditionally consumed crabs, and mullet species of fish.
In addition to the creation of the rice fields, runoff from freshwater irrigation from farming added to the dilution of the lake. Transforming L'Albufera from saltwater to freshwater created an immense source of freshwater for this region. Locals will continue to have to adapt their farming and eating practices in order to combat the problems of overfishing as well as the difficulties that may arise from climate change. It is incredible to think that, just as nature and man combined to reduce the size of the lake and transform its ecosystem, man-driven climate change leading to rising sea levels could eventually connect the lake back to the Mediterranean, making it once again a saltwater lagoon.
