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| 7ES038 |
Laguna
de Pitillas |
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| Coordinates: |
42º24'N
- 001º34'W |
Elevation:
350 m |
Area:216
ha |
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| Location:
|
The
site is located 3 km from the small village of Pitillas, in the municipality
of Pitillas y Santacara, in the autonomous region of Navarra, in northeastern
Spain. |
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| Criteria:
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3c
Laguna de Pitillas is the most important wetland in Navarra for nesting
marsh birds. It holds 6-11% of the Spanish wintering population of Circus
aeruginosus, and 9% of the Spanish breeding population of this species.
Botaurus stellaris nests regularly, and Porzana porzana occasionally.
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| Wetland
Types:
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Sp,
6
The site was originally a permanent brackish lagoon, but it has been converted
into an artificial impoundment. |
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Biological/
Ecological notes
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The
lake is surrouded by dry kermes oak forest of the Querceto-rotundifoliae-Sigmetum
association, with characteristic species like Juniperus oxycedrus, J.
phoenicia, Rubia peregrina, Osyris alba, Phillyrea angustifolia, Jasminum
fruticans and Bupleurum rigidum. Dry pastures are steppe-like, with Stipa
offneri and Brachypodium retusum. Aquatic plant species include Chara
spp., Ranunculus fluitans, R. aquatilis and Potamogeton pectinatus, with
Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, Scirpus maritimus, S. tabernaemontani
and S. triquetrus in the shallower parts. The lake has dense populations
and a great variety in species of amphibians, of which Pelobates cultripes
is the most noteworthy. |
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Hydrological/
Physical notes
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The
site is an oligohaline wetland at the lowest point of an endorheic basin
of 7,639 ha. The site has been modified by the construction of a dyke
to contain the water. The lake receives water from rainfed rivulets. The
average annual precipitation of 525 mm usually falls in only a few, torrential
storms. |
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| Human
uses
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The
only activities permitted in the reserve are observation by visitors,
and research. |
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Conservation
Measures
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The
site is a Natural Reserve, and an EU Special Protection Area for wild
birds. A management plan has been approved. A visitors centre has been
constructed and was under development in 1997/1998. There is an EU LIFE
project on the ecology of Botaurus stellaris for the period 1996-2000. |
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Adverse
Factors |
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| References |
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