| |
| 7ES006 |
Marismas
del Odiel |
|
|
| Coordinates: |
37º17'N
06º55'W |
Elevation:
0 m. |
Area:7,185
ha |
|
| Location:
|
The
site is situated on the Atlantic coast, immediately west of the city of
Huelva, Huelva province, in the autonomous region of Andalucˇa (Andalusia),
southwesternmost Spain. |
|
| Criteria:
|
1a,
2a, 2c, 3b, 3c
The area is extremely important for waterbirds. A colony of Platalea
leucorodia (>400 pairs) occurs on Isla de Enmedio (one of only two
Spanish nesting sites for this species, the other site being Doñana).
Other breeding species include Ardea cinerea (>300 pairs), A.
purpurea (>300 pairs), Egretta garzetta, Circus aeruginosus, Porphyrio
porphyrio, Himantopus himantopus, Glareola pratincola, Charadrius alexandrinus,
Larus genei, Gelochelidon nilotica and Sterna albifrons (>300 pairs).
Large numbers of shorebirds stage in the area during migration periods,
while wintering birds include Anas penelope, A. platyrhynchos, A. clypeata,
Aythya ferina and Recurvirostra avosetta.
|
|
| Wetland
Types:
|
Sp,
E, H, Tp, 5 (dominant type listed first)
The site is an extensive complex of marshes at the mouth of the River
Odiel, in the vicinity of its confluence with the River Tinto, with sandy
dunes, intertidal marshes, permanent saline and brackish pools, permanent
freshwater lakes, and artificial salt pans. Saltmarshes constitute the
most important wetland type. |
|
Biological/
Ecological notes
|
Several
distinctive habitats can be identified. The lower saltmarsh is frequently
inundated at high tides, and characterized by the presence of Spartina
maritima and Salicornia ramossisima. The middle saltmarsh, less frequently
inundated, has a vegetation characterized by Sarcocornia perennis and
Halimione portulacoides. On the upper saltmarsh, well-consolidated and
infrequently inundated, the vegetation is composed of Spartina densiflora,
Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Inula crithmoides and Artemisia ferulescens.
The inland marshes are influenced by freshwater and support beds of Phragmites
australis, Typha latifolia and Juncus spp. There also are sand dune spits,
characterized by Pinus pinea and Juniperus phoenica. |
|
|
Hydrological/
Physical notes
|
Most
of the site is flat, intertidal marsh. |
|
| Human
uses
|
Land
use within the site includes salt extraction (about 1,000 ha of the marshes
have been converted to salt pans), forestry, agriculture, fishing and
shell-fish harvesting. |
|
|
Conservation
Measures
|
The
site is a Natural Park, and partly Natural Reserve and UNESCO Man and
Biosphere Reserve. The site is designated as an EU Special Protection
Area for wild birds. Plans were being developed in 1991 to provide interpretation
and conservation education facilities for visitors, to carry out research
programmes required for supporting site management, to restore degraded
habitats, to increase the area in public ownership, and to integrate tourism/recreation,
forestry, fishing and shell-fish harvesting with conservation objectives. |
|
Adverse
Factors |
|
|
| References |
|
|
|