| 7ES013 | Albufera de Valencia | ||||
| Coordinates: | 39º20'N - 000º21'W | Elevation: 3 (0-60) m | Area:21,000 ha | ||
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| Location: | The site is located on the Mediterranean coast, about 16 km south of the city of Valencia, Valencia province, in the autonomous region of Pa¡s Valenciano (Valencia), in southeastern Spain. | ||||
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| Criteria: | 1a, 2a, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c The site's fauna is notable for its species diversity. Regional endemics include decapods as Dugastella valentina and Palaemonetes zariquieyi, the fishes Aphanius iberus and Valencia hispanica, and the crustacean Palaemonetes zariquieyi. The most conspicuous element of the sites international importance, however, lies in its birds. More than 250 bird species stay in the area occasionally or regularly, and up to 90 breed here. Amongst them are Podiceps cristatus, Ardea cinerea (335 pairs in 1989), A. purpurea, Egretta garzetta, Bubulcus ibis, Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardeola ralloides, Ixobrychus minutus, Netta rufina, Glareola pratincola, Charadrius alexandrinus, Acrocephalus spp., Panurus biarmicus and Remiz pendulinus. Large numbers of staging and wintering water birds may also be seen, especially Anas penelope (2,010), A. acuta (1,982), A. platyrhynchos (5,720), A. clypeata (24,430), Netta rufina (12,205), Aythya ferina (4,831), Vanellus vanellus (27,204) and Gallinago gallinago (1,193). | ||||
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| Wetland Types: | J,
E, K, M, Tp, Y, 3 (dominant type listed first) The site consists of a large coastal lagoon fed by streams, rivers and irrigation channels. The lagoon is separated from the sea, along most of its length, by a wide sand dune peninsula. The area contains fresh, brackish and saltwater wetlands. |
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| Biological/ Ecological notes |
The vegetation is dominated by aquatic communities (species include Potamogeton crispus, Lemna spp., Ceratophyllum demersum, Cladium mariscus), halophytes (e.g. Suaeda, Salicornia) and sand dune communities. Two-thirds of the site is used for rice-growing. | ||||
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Hydrological/
Physical notes |
The sand bank closing off the lagoon was formed by fluvial material deposited near the mouth of the River Turia. From there it was spread further by a stream along the coast. When the bay was closed off by this wall, a coastal lake developed. This is being filled in by natural siltation processes, which are greatly increased by human influence. The average depth of the lagoon is 1 m. The water levels are artificially managed, in relation to ricefield requirements. | ||||
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| Human uses | The Devesa del Saler (800 ha, sited on the sand bank) and the lagoon (2,000 ha) are Public Property and belong to the Council of Valencia. The remaining area is privately owned. The surrounding area is private property too. The seaward side of the bank is heavily urbanized. The lagoon is fringed by areas with rice cultivation. Other human activities inside the reserve include fishing and hunting. Around the site the main activities are agriculture, fishing, tourism and industrial developments. | ||||
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Conservation |
The area has been designated a Regional Natural Park (Paraje Natural). It is also an EU Special Protection Area for wild birds. Development of a Special Protection Plan (El Plan Especial de Protecci¢n del Parque Natural de l'Albufera) was completed in 1988. The plan was adopted in 1990, with the aim of conserving and restoring the wetland's natural characteristics. | ||||
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| Adverse Factors |
The problems affecting the site are related to three main issues, namely the silting up of the lagoon, illegal building activities in the area, and the use of chemicals for rice cultivation. This affects the water quality within the site, a problem which is exacerbated by the inflow of urban waste and industrial pollution water from nearby areas. | ||||
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