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| 7ES005 |
Lagunas
del sur de Córdoba (Lagunas de Zóñar, Rincón
y Amarga) |
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| Coordinates: |
3º29'N
004º41'W |
Elevation:
0 m. |
Area:86
ha |
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| Location:
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The
Lagunas del sur de Córdoba are situated south of the town of Aguilar
de la Frontera, Córdoba province, in the autonomous region of Andalucˇa
(Andalusia), central southern Spain. Laguna Amarga is about 10 km northeast
of the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra. |
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| Criteria:
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1a,
2a, 2b, 2c, 3b
Unlike other lagoons in the region (which are subject to seasonal desiccation),
Zóñar, Rincón and Amarga hold water throughout the
year and support a distinctive flora and fauna. The site is of particular
importance for breeding birds, including Tachybaptus ruficollis, Podiceps
cristatus, Ixobrychus minutus, Anas platyrhynchos, Netta rufina, Circus
aeruginosus, Porphyrio porphyrio, Fulica atra and Acrocephalus arundinaceus.
The site is also one of the most important breeding areas in Europe for
the endangered duck Oxyura leucocephala. Wintering species include
Anas clypeata, Aythya ferina, A. fuligula and Oxyura leucocephala.
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| Wetland
Types:
|
Q,
Ss The Ramsar site includes three physically separated, semi-permanent,
saline lagoons set in a rolling cultivated steppe landscape. |
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Biological/
Ecological notes
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The
lagoons are fringed by belts of Phragmites australis, Typha dominguensis
and Arundo donax, with Juncus maritimus and Tamarix in drier areas.
The submergent flora includes Cladophora sp., Chara sp. and Spirogira
sp., with Zannichellia palustris (Zóñar), Potamogeton
spp. (Amarga) and Najas marina (Rincón). Amongst notable
fauna are the rare fish Atherina boyeri, frog Bufo calamita and snake
Natrix maura. |
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Hydrological/
Physical notes
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The
region receives 70% of its annual rainfall in the months of November and
December; the lagoons are therefore subject to marked seasonal fluctuations
in both water level and salinity. |
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| Human
uses
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The
lagoons are only used for conservation and research. |
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Conservation
Measures
|
The
three lagoons are Natural Reserves. Parts are designated an EU Special
Protection Area for wild birds. Each of the three Reserves is surrounded
by a buffer/protection zone; 304 ha at Zóñar, 130 ha around
Rinc˘n and 250 ha at Amarga. According to local development plans, the
Natural Reserves are classified as Specially Protected Areas not for Urbanization.
A land use management plan for the Natural Reserves was approved in 1987.
Actions carried out under this plan include: provision of wardens, development
of visitor facilities and interpretation at Zóñar and Rincón,
erection of a fence to exclude feral dogs from Rincón, in situ
sign-posting of the reserve boundaries, enforcement of a general hunting
ban within 300-500 m of the reserves, and enforcement of a law prohibiting
waterbird hunting in central southern Córdoba. |
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Adverse
Factors |
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| References |
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