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| 7ES008 |
S'Albufera
de Mallorca |
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| Coordinates: |
39º49'N
003º07'E |
Elevation:
-1 to 10 m |
Area:1,700
ha |
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| Location:
|
The
site is situated about 6 km south-southwest of the town of Alc£dia, in
the province of Palma de Majorca, on the northeast coast of Majorca island,
in the autonomous region of Baleares. |
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| Criteria:
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1a,
2a, 2c, 3b, 3c
The area is internationally important for breeding, staging and wintering
birds. Nesting species include Tachybaptus ruficollis (>150 pairs),
Ardea purpurea (30-50 pairs), Ixobrychus minutus (>50 pairs),
Botaurus stellaris (2 pairs), Circus aeruginosus (9 pairs),
Himantopus himantopus (100 pairs) and Acrocephalus melanopogon
(500-1,000 pairs). Pandion haliaetus and Falco eleonorae feed in
the area during the breeding season
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|
| Wetland
Types:
|
Tp,
O, P, Ts, 5, 9
The site consists of an extensive freshwater marsh. It is separated from
the sea by a sand dune bar. It is dissected by a network of dykes and
drainage canals Much of the area is covered by dense reed beds. There
are only limited areas of open water. |
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Biological/
Ecological notes
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The
park includes the major part of the wetland, which is 1,800 ha. The total
area of natural interest is 1,900 ha. Large parts are covered by dense
beds of Phragmites australis and Cladium mariscus. There are also rushes
and Salicornia beds. Lagoons and canals contain submerged macrophytes
like Potamogeton, Zannichellia and Myriophyllum. The canals are fringed
by woodland and Tamarix scrub, but these have partly been cut down in
the past. The dune bar supports Juniperus scrub, with Juniperus oxycedrus
macrocarpa, Thymedaea velutina, Ophrys sp. and Orchis sp., but has been
partly developed for tourism. In the marsh itself Orchis palustris is
abundant. |
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Hydrological/
Physical notes
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The
marsh is situated on thick layers of marine sediments. It gets its water
from surface runoff and groundwater. There is a system of dykes and drainage
canals, remaining from attempts to convert the wetland into irrigated
agricultural fields. |
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| Human
uses
|
Of
the park, 80% is owned by national, provincial and local governments.
The other parts are private property. The surrounding area is privately
owned. Human activities within the site include conservation education,
eco-tourism, controlled traditional fishing (mainly eel) and traditional
collection of natural fibers (Typha and Arundo). There are a visitors
centre and bird watching hides. The surrounding area is used for agriculture
(inland) and tourism (along the coast). |
|
|
Conservation
Measures
|
The
site was designated a Natural Park (Parque Natural) and a Hunting Refuge
(Refugio de Caza) by the national government. The Balearic government
declared it a Special Interest Natural Area. Some 2,584 ha of the site
has been declared an EU Special Protection Area for wild birds. A management
plan has been made, and most of it has been implemented. |
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Adverse
Factors |
There
are no threats from inside the site. Excessive growth of tourism along
the coast may become a problem. The over use of groundwater for irrigation
in the surrounding area may cause saltwater to come in from the sea to
replace the freshwater, and the residues of pesticides and fertilisers
may have negative effects when they flow into the reserve. |
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| References |
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