Natural reserves are protected natural spaces in some regime that allows the conservation of nature and the species that these sites house. The regulations that protect natural reserves limits its commercial exploitation, the construction of structures and other issues that can modify their natural conditions.
In Spain, the declared natural reserves are enough. Therefore, in this ecology article, we will cite the Main natural reserves in Spain and some important details about them.
Natural reserves in Spain
As we said, it’s about natural spaces protected by Spanish legislation. These can be declared by the competent authorities when their flora or fauna has a special interest in conservation. In this way, the lands declared as a nature reserve are protected from phenomena such as deforestation or pollution of the territory. In addition, it is guaranteed that the resources present in these territories are protected, unlike what happens in places where they do not work in its conservation and its exploitation is not limited.
These spaces can be divided into Two types of natural reserves:
- PARTIAL: They allow a certain compatibility between the conservation of values and the exploitation of certain natural resources.
- Total: The exploitation of natural resources is totally prohibited, except for the competent authorities to decide to suppress or restrict it for scientific, research, educational or conservation purposes.
Natural reserves are also ecological reservessince they protect ecology. According to their legal and regulatory characteristics, natural reserves can also be biosphere reserves, natural parks or national parks. Discover more on this topic in this other ecology article about the importance of natural reserves and protected areas.
Next, we detail the main natural reserves in Spain.
Cabo de Gata – Níjar
Cabo de Gata – Níjar is a Marine reserve that is created with the purpose of obtaining an exploitation of the fishery resources that is compatible with the recovery of the traditional underwear in which it is located.
This reserve was declared in 1995 by the Andalusian Environment Agency within the municipality of Almería. It is characterized by having very crystalline waters in which typically Mediterranean communities such as Praderas of Possidonia oceanicawhich are endemic species, and others of Atlantic origin. In addition, there is a Natural Park in Cabo de Gata – Níjar.
Alborán Island
It is a volcanic islet located in the Mediterranean Sea, between the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. The island belongs to the municipality of Almería and has about 71,200 m2 (7,12 ha) of volcanic rock and guano (sediments caused by batter excrements and sea birds).
Alborán Island was also declared as Fishing Reserve and Special Protection Area for Birds (Zepa). In addition, in 1899, a new igneous rock called Alboranita was discovered in it.
Sidrón cave
It is a cave located in Asturias and is the largest tertiary conglomerates cave. The cave serves as a habitat for 5 species of chiroptera (bats) and 2 endemic species of beetles (beetles), but it is really important because it has been found Cock and Neanderthal paintings In very good condition.
These human remains have been dated with carbon 14 in 49,000 years. Subsequently, human remains of younger Neanderthals, remains of bones and teeth have been found. These samples have sequenced mitochondrial DNA (genetic material of mitochondria with great importance in the study of the history of humanity). This has made it a International Geological Place of Interestin addition to a nature reserve.
El Regajal – Mar de Ontigola
It is a nature reserve located in the Community of Madrid, specifically in the municipality of Aranjuez, declared as such in 1994 and has an area of 629.21 ha. Within the reserve, it stands out The Ontigola Sea wetlanda recessive reservoir that is completely naturalized, with great palustr vegetation as a refuge from numerous aquatic birdsand the farm of El Regajal, Mediterranean-Subddessert Monte with great entomological diversity (insects), specifically one of most important butterflies Worldwide, cataloged as the fifth international priority of lepidoptera (butterflies).
Ría de Villaviciosa
Natural estuary Located in Asturias, specifically in the municipality of Villaviciosa. It has an area of 1,095 ha and flows to the Cantabrian Sea. It was declared a nature reserve in 1995 and is also a place of community interest (LIC) and Special Bird Protection Zone (Zepa).
In addition, as curious facts, the waters of this estuary have a very high salinity, due to the low contribution of freshwater of the streams, which influences the flora and fauna that develops there.
If you want to read more articles similar to Main natural reserves of Spainwe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.
