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| 7ES029 |
Laguna
de Gallocanta |
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| Coordinates: |
40º58'N
- 001º30'W |
Elevation:
995-1,482 m |
Area:6,720
ha |
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| Location:
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The
Laguna de Gallocanta is situated in the municipal areas of Gallocanta,
Las Cuerlas, Santed and Berrueco, in the extreme southwest of the province
Zaragoza and the municipal areas of Bello and Tornos in the northeast
of the province Teruel, in the Arag˘n Region, northern Spain. |
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| Criteria:
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1d,
2a, 2d, 3a, 3b, 3c
The site is especially known as the most important staging area in Spain
for cranes Grus grus. About 80% of the entire western population (more
than 60,000 individuals counted in autumn 1989) visit the site during
migration. In winter, an average of 47,000 waterbirds (36,000 Anatidae)
were recorded during the period 1972-1989, including large concentrations
of Anas strepera, Netta rufina, Aythya ferina, and Fulica atra. Nesting
bird species include Pterocles orientalis, Recurvirostra avosetta, Himantopus
himantopus and Glareola pratincola. The halophytic vegetation communities,
and the zoo- and phyto-plankton of the lagoon include endemic species.
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| Wetland
Types:
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R,
N, Ss, Xf, 3, 4 (dominant type listed first)
The Laguna de Gallocanta is a seasonal brackish to saline lake, with some
seasonal freshwater elements depending on water supply, surrounded by
agricultural land. |
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Biological/
Ecological notes
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The
flora of the Laguna de Gallocanta and its surroundings is rich and varied.
Deciduous trees with Salix spp., Ulmus and planted Populus, are found
along the streams and channels which run into the lagoon. Beds of Phragmites
australis, Typha sp., Scirpus maritimus and S. lacustris form a narrow
belt along the banks of the lagoon. The location and size of open areas
of low, halophytic vegetation with Salicornia ramosissima, Suaeda maritima,
Suaeda splendens and Puccinelia fasciculata, varies with water level fluctuations.
Brackish rush beds with Juncus maritimus, Elymus pungens, Schoenus nigricans
and Puccinelia pungens, fringe the lake, covering extensive areas in places.
The submerged aquatic flora includes Potamogeton sp., Groenlandia sp.,
Ruppia sp., Zanichellia sp., Lemna sp., Myriophyllum sp., and Utricularia
sp. Extensive beds of Lamprothamnium papulosum and Chara galoides partially
cover the bottom of the lagoon. The lake is surrounded by highly modified
pastures and grassland, and irrigated and non-irrigated crops. Small numbers
of the bustard Otis tarda occur outside the breeding season. The area
is rich in butterflies (70 species), including endemic species of the
Satyridae family. |
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Hydrological/
Physical notes
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The
saline Laguna de Gallocanta is the lowest point of the largest endorheic
basin (54,335 ha) of the Iberian Peninsula. The lagoon is supplied mainly
through rainfall runoff through small streams and channels. Supply is
irregular over the year. Some groundwater also filters through, mainly
in the vicinity of the northeast shore of the lake. In times of drought
the lake may dry out totally (e.g. 1983-86), while in rainy years the
lake depth can reach 2.5 m and the surface area may extend to 1,330 ha.
Salinity varies considerably (16 g/l in 1977 when the lake was full, compared
with 105 g/l in October 1981 when the water level was very low). |
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| Human
uses
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The
land around the lake is used for agricultural crops and grazing. Hunting
is not permitted. |
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Conservation
Measures
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The
site is a National Refuge from Hunting, and an EU Special Protection Area
for wild birds. In 1994 there was no approved management and land use
plan for the site. |
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Adverse
Factors |
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| References |
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