Marjales: What are they and how they form

The marjales are Llan and coastal wetland ecosystems that are distributed by the Mediterranean coast. They are somedical swampy areas that can come in underground or superficial way and that serve as separation between the high and sea.

Due to their location and characteristics, marjales are very important ecosystems, not only because of the ecosystem benefits we obtain from them, but because they also constitute a Biodiversity shelter. Marjales house numerous plant and animal species, either permanently or that are passing through their immigration route.

Some of the fauna species that we can find in the marjales are:

• Common flamenco (Phoenicopterus roseus): In the winter time migrates to the Marjales in search of higher temperatures. If these animals call your attention, here you can read what the flamenco eat and learn about why they are roses.
• Royal Garza (Arrdea Cinerea): It is transitory in the marjales to rest and feed before continuing trip to Africa.
• Martín Pescador (Alcedo Atthis): Another bird that is transiently in the marjales.
• Goose or common occasion (ANSER ANSER): He also sighs it in the winter time. Here you can read about the difference between Oca and goose.
• Real or blue arade (Anas Pathyncos): A kind of duck that we find permanently in the marjales.
• Fartet (Aphanius Iberus) and Samaruc (Hispanic Valencia): These are two species of fish that are in danger of extinction and that are endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.
• European or common eel (Anguilla Anguilla): European eels use marjales and other wetlands such as vital reservoir areas of the species.

Among the present flora we find typical vegetation of wet ecosystems such as: for example:

• PHRAGMITES SP.
• Typha sp.
• Juncus sp.
• CLADIUM MARISCUS
• Nymphaea Alba
• Lemna Gibba
• Lemna Minor

Albufases are coastal lagoons of little depth that are partially separated from the sea by barriers, generally, sand. Occasionally, Over time, albufares can lead to the marjales.

Marjales are formed by a Old Albuferes Recrución Processwhere alluvial and colluvial sediments are deposited over time and the lagoons are filled. Marjales are wet sites because they recharge with water from aquifers and/or rivers And, in addition, the little connection with the sea prevents water from being lost.

Here you can also know what an aquifer is: definition and how it is formed.

Numerous are the marjales found on the Iberian coast, then we will mention three of them:

• Marjal de Almenara: It is located on the Mediterranean coast in northern Valencia, it has a total of 1,550 hectares and habitat numbers, among which grasslands and salinas steppes, thickets and calcareous turbines stand out. In addition, in this marjal we find three freshwater lagoons that are recharged with the water of neighboring springs.
• PEGO-OLIVA Marjal: Declared Natural Park, it is located south of the Gulf of Valencia and has an area of ​​1,290 hectares. It is surrounded by mountains that form an open horseshoe to the Mediterranean Sea, where the Marjal is located in the center. It feeds on the groundwater emanating from springs and water from the Bullent-Vedat and Racons-Molinell rivers. Agricultural activities are also developed on the Marjal, so you can see rice fields.
• Safor Marjal: It is based on the coastal plain of the Valencian Community, it is a wetland of 1,244 hectares whose water mainly comes from underground contributions and to a lesser extent superficial. Much of the marjal surface has been allocated to agricultural purposes, for intensive cultivation of citrus or vegetables.

Like every ecosystem, marjales have an intrinsic value itself, but in addition, there are numerous environmental and cultural benefits that provide living beings. We will mention some of them:

• Flood control: The marjales intervene in the water cycle, decrease their flow and retain it in front of situations such as intense rainfall, thus cushion the flood and avoid flooding.
• Nutrient and sediment retention: By slowing the flow of water, the sediments transported together with the nutrients are deposited in the marjales.
• Water purification: The vegetation present in marjales improves water quality by absorbing and retaining high concentrations of nutrients or pollutants.
• Investigation: Marjales are ideal places for the study of dynamics and biological processes.

Other important aspects of the marjales are:

• They constitute a fresh water reserve.
• Stabilize the line of the coast and control erosion.
• They accumulate biomass.
• They house biodiversity.
• They are carbon sinks.
• They are sites of high biological productivity.
• They are areas where tourism or recreation activities can be carried out.

As you know better what the marjales are, we encourage you to learn more about wetlands: what are, types and characteristics reading this other post.

If you want to read more articles similar to Marjales: What are they and how they formwe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.