The core area of the reserve is the Tablas de Daimiel National Park, a threatened wetland which continues to be important for its bird population.

Some conservationists have questioned the future of Tablas de Daimiel as an internationally protected area, because the site's eco-system has been damaged by over-use of water resources.

In the twentieth century, groundwater in the area was used in an unsustainable way to develop irrigated agriculture, and it has proved difficult to implement a solution.

A Special Upper Guadiana Plan concerning the western Mancha aquifers was started in 2008 with a 5 M€ budget, to be operated for 29 years in order to restore the wetlands.

Another determining factor is the developing of other local economies, such as ecotourism, higher-quality agricultural products, solar electricity or environmental services (carbon sinks, for example).