What is an albufera, how it is formed and examples

An albufera is a coastal lagoon that forms when a strip of landlike a cord of dunes or a sand bank, separates a portion from the sea. This barrier prevents salty water from between directly, although there can be some exchange according to the tide, the rains or the natural or artificial openings that are made in that strip.

Albufases are usually connected to the sea by channels or gates, which generates a very particular balance between the fresh water that arrives from the rivers or rain, and the salt water of the sea. Therefore, one of the most common questions is: Are the albufares of fresh or salty water? The answer is that, in reality, They are brackish waterthat is, a mixture of both. However, this proportion can change with the climate or human activity, becoming sweeter or more salty depending on the case.

The formation of an albufera is a natural process that can take centuries.

1. It all starts in flat coastal areas, where The sea deposits sand and sediments Over time, especially in places with little swell and soft slope.
2. These sediments They accumulate and forming a barrier or coastal cord that gradually encloses a part of the sea.
3. When this cord closes at all or leaves just a small connection with the sea, The lagoon is formed that we know as Albufera.
4. In that enclosed space, Water begins to change: Receive contributions from rain, runoff or even nearby rivers, which reduces your salinity. However, if the connection with the sea is still open, even partially, the water can continue to have some salt.
5. Sometimes, The human being also intervenes In the formation or maintenance of an albufera, opening and closing gates or channels to control the flow of water, either for agricultural reasons, fishing or environmental conservation.

We will see some of the most famous examples of albufases in the world and from different parts:

Albuferes in Spain

Spain is one of the countries with the most tradition in the protection and sustainable use of albufares. Among them stands out:

• Valencia Albufera: It is probably the most famous in the country, a natural park located a few kilometers from the city of Valencia. In fact, if you wonder, what Albufera is the largest in Spain? The answer is this: the Albufera of Valencia, since it has about 2,800 hectares of lagoon surface and more than 20,000 hectares if the entire natural park ecosystem is counted.
• Adra Albufera (Almería): A small coastal wetland very valuable for water birds.
• Albufera de Mallorca: It is an extensive and protected wetland, ideal for bird observation. It is a natural space protected in the Balearic Islands.

Albufases in Argentina

Although the word “albufera” is not used in Argentina, there are similar ecosystems:

• Albufera de Mar Chiquita: Located in the province of Buenos Aires, it is a coastal lagoon very similar to the Mediterranean albuferes. It is separated from the sea by a sand barrier and has brackish water. It is recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

Other albufareas in the world

• Venice Albufera (Italy): Known as La Laguna de Venice, it is an extensive coastal ecosystem that houses the famous city of the channels. Its natural dynamic is very similar to that of a Mediterranean albufera.
• Laguna de Izmir (Türkiye): This coastal wetland of western Türkiye works like an albufera and serves as a habitat to hundreds of bird species. It is separated from the Aegean Sea by a sandy strip.
• Kerala Albufera (India): On the southwest coast of India, the well -known “backwaters” of Kerala are interconnected coastal lagoons, some of them formed by processes similar to those of the albuferes.

The flora and fauna of the albufera is very varied and depends largely on the type of water (sweet, brackish or salty) and the degree of conservation of the environment. These coastal ecosystems are refuge of numerous species, many of them threatened or protected.

Albufera’s fauna

The Birds are the most visible group and diverse. Many albufares are found in migratory routes, so they host species such as herons, flamenco, crankshafts, royal angels, laguneros or somormujos. They also live adapted fish to salinity, such as eel, mújol or fartet (Aphanius Iberus), An endemic fish in danger of extinction in the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, it is common to find amphibians such as the Sapillo Pintojo and reptiles such as leprosy galapagos or water snakes. The Aquatic invertebratessuch as dragonfly larvae, crustaceans and mollusks, play an essential role in the food chain.

Albufera’s flora

The vegetation is also very characteristic. On the banks the Carrizos, Juncos and Aeneasthat help stabilize the ground and filter the water. Inside the lagoon they grow submerged aquatic plants like the Maritima Ruppia or Zannichellia, fundamental for the balance of the ecosystem and the shelter of small animals. In areas with greater salinity they appear halophile species Like Salicornia, well adapted to saline and poor soils in nutrients.

An albufera is a coastal lagoon separated from the sea by a sandy barrier. Its water is brackish, a mixture of fresh and salty water, and is connected to the sea by channels that allow water exchange and affect its biodiversity.

On the other hand, a lagoon is a more general body of water that can be found in both coastal and interior areas. Lagoons can be fresh, salty or brackish waterand They are not always connected to the sea. Some gaps are permanent, while others can be temporary, depending on climatic conditions.

In summary, all albufases are coastal lagoons with specific characteristics, but not all lagoons are albufares.

Albufases play a fundamental ecological role in coastal ecosystems. Let’s see what are some of the most important ecological functions:

• Biodiversity refuge: It houses fish, amphibians, insects, aquatic plants, crustaceans and migratory birds. Many birds use albufares as rest and food areas during their long migrations.
• Natural water filter: Albufases filter the sediments and pollutants that drag the rivers before they reach the sea. Aquatic plants and microorganisms present help clean water, improving its quality and avoiding contamination of nearby marine waters.
• Flood control: Thanks to their ability to store large volumes of water, albufares help cushion the effects of heavy rains or river floods.
• Local climate regulation: By containing large masses of water, albufares influence the microclimate of coastal regions.
• Coastal Protection: The ground strip that separates an albufera from the sea acts as a natural barrier to coastal erosion.

Visit an albufera It is a highly recommended experience For those who enjoy nature, tranquility and observation of unique landscapes. In fact, many albufares are protected as natural parks, biosphere reserves or wet areas of international importance, which guarantees that your visit is safe and respectful to the environment.

These are some of the activities that can be done in an albufera:

• Boat walks or kayak.
• Bird observation.
• Hiking and bike routes.
• Nature photography.
• Environmental Education and Responsible Tourism.
• Enjoy local cuisine.

Being delicate ecosystems, They face multiple threats: Urbanization, pollution, mass tourism, overexploitation of water resources and climate change. Therefore, many countries have developed legal frameworks and specific programs to protect them and guarantee their long -term conservation.

• Many albufareas have been declared natural parkswhich implies a high level of environmental protection. This is the case of the Albufera of Valencia, which since 1986 has this legal figure in Spain. Thanks to this, access, control of human activities and restore degraded areas can be regulated.
• In the case of Albufases in Spain and other countries of the European Union, many are included in the Natura 2000 Networka European ecological network of protected areas. Its objective is to conserve the most valuable and threatened habitats of the continent, and guarantee the survival of the species that inhabit them.
• Worldwide, albufases can be recognized as Wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar agreementa treaty signed by more than 170 countries. This designation implies the commitment to conserve and use these wetlands, with the collaboration of governments, NGOs and local communities.
• In addition to laws, social awareness Play a key role in the protection of albufares. More and more people participate in environmental volunteer activities, collective cleanings, species monitoring or educational workshops.

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