7ES011 Complejo intermareal Umia-Grove
Coordinates: 42º28'N 008º50'W Elevation: 0-15 m Area:2,561 ha
Location:
The site is situated on the Atlantic coast, about 20 km northwest of the city of Pontevedra, Pontevedra province, in the autonomous region of Galicia, in the extreme northwest of Spain. The site is composed of three physically separate units:

(a) the inter-tidal plain between the mouth of the Umia river and the town of El Grove (Complejo intermareal Umia-Grove, 2,412 ha), including a dune system at La Lanzada,

(b) a small freshwater lagoon, Laguna de Bodeira (71.5 ha), and

(c) Punta Carreiron (77.5 ha), the southern end of an offshore island, Isla de Arosa, which is connected with the mainland via an artificial causeway. The site is about 15 km southeast of the Complejo de Corrubedo Ramsar site.
Criteria:
1a, 2d, 3b
The site supports an interesting flora, including several plant species which are endemic to the Iberian peninsula, e.g. Iberis procumbens, Echium rosalatum, Linaria caesia var. ducumbens, Helichrisum picarii and Phelipaca arenaria. The area is important for nesting and wintering waterbirds. It supports the largest number of wintering shorebirds (more than 10,000) to be found along the Atlantic coast of Spain. Anatidae include Melanitta nigra and Mergus serrator.
Wetland Types:
G, A, E, F, K (dominant type listed first)
The site consists of an intertidal plane, a dune system, a small frehwater lagoon and part of an off shore island.
Biological/
Ecological notes
The intertidal flats in sector (a) support beds of Zostera, while the Laguna de Bodeira (b) is fringed by Phragmites and Arundo donax.
Hydrological/
Physical notes
Human uses
The site is owned by the local government. Human activities within the complex include tourism, shellfish harcesting, fishing and marine aquaculture.

Conservation
Measures

The area has been designated a Refuge from Hunting (Refugio de Caza) and was included in the General Register of Natural Areas in Galicia (Registro General de Espacios Naturales de Galicia). The site is also designated as a natural area in regional urban development plans and it is an EU Special Protection Area for wild birds. A Natural Resources Development Plan is in preparation.
Adverse
Factors 		Management problems include the inflow of pollutants from surrounding urban and industrial zones, uncontrolled urban development, dumping of construction refuse, illegal hunting and the impact of tourism (especially dune erosion).
References