The Devesa the Beach Seaward Dune System Dune Slacks Inland Dune System the Banks of the Albufera the Devesa: Actions
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The Devesa The beach Seaward dune system Dune slacks Inland dune system The banks of The Albufera The Devesa: actions From the 13th century to the end of the 19th century, when This is a system made up of 3 This system is formed by Between the seaward and These are the oldest dunes The sandy loam soil, in contact Since the decision was taken, almost 30 years ago, to recover they became the property of the State, the Devesa and the Al- sub-units that are closely inter- the dunes that are clos- the inland dune systems, which have much denser with the water, supports hy- the landscape and natural value of the Devesa, numerous ac- bufera belonged to the Crown, and their use was restricted. related, the submerged zone, the est to the beach. Here the there are a series of inter- plant cover. In the closest drophilous vegetation (reeds and tions have been carried out with this end in view. Since 1927, both areas have belonged to Valencia City Coun- foreshore and the backshore. The wind forms little depres- dunar depressions, or dune area to the seaward dune cane) that is known locally as One of the first measures adopted was the creation of a nurs- cil. In 1965, at the height of the Spanish tourist boom, a proc- submerged zone is the area with sions known as abrasion slacks, that are known lo- system which is still af- carrizal. ery of autoctonous plants to recover and repopulate the de- ess of urban development began which seriously altered the the greatest biodiversity; the posi- hollows. cally as mallades. These fected by the sea wind, is This ecosystem is the habitat for graded areas. Simultaneously the space was reorganized and ecosystems; the coastal dune sytem was almost completely de- A “ball” of posidonia remains formed donia meadows, nowadays very have impermeable soil the jaguarzal, open scrub- Saltmarsh mallow The harsh environmental a rich and varied fauna. Of spe- (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos) the most intensive recreational uses were concentrated in the stroyed to make way for the construction of a sea promenade, by the action of the sea reduced, which provide a habitat which means that pools land characterized by the Sea holly (Eryngium maritimum) conditions that character- Dune slack in autumn Open vegetation area cial importance are the migratory most damaged areas, while recreational use was limited, and The Devesa forms part of the Albufera Nature Reserve. It is the roads, car park, and housing (only the Muntanyar de La Rambla for algae, molluscs and fishes, are form in rainy periods. When the presence of the black rock rose, ize this ecosystem (strong sun- birds that use it for both food and access restricted, in the better preserved areas which were best conserved area of the dune system that made up the spit or and the Muntanyar de El Pujol areas survived). The dune slacks of especial importance. water evaporates as the tempera- with many sandy open spaces. In light, the constant sea wind, and shelter. These birds include the of greater natural value (La Creu, Muntanyar de la Rambla, sand bar which formed a barrier in the old Gulf of Valencia that (or depressions between dunes) known as mallades were filled ture rises, salt incrustations form the more inland sections where The foreshore, which is bathed by the mobility of the sand) make it reed warbler, the streaked fan- Muntanyar de El Pujol, Reserva de La Punta and the whole created the Albufera lagoon. The Albufera, which was previ- in with sand and repopulated with eucalyptus, and the inland on the surface. In this ecosystem the sea has a lesser influence, is seawater, has no vegetation, and necessary for the plants and ani- tail warbler, and the bearded tit, south sector of the Devesa). ously salt water and was used to provide salt for the city of Va- dune system was broken up by the construction of roads, car the vegetation grows in concentric the Mediterranean coastal maquia the backshore is dry and charac- mals of this habitat to adopt spe- which use the fine reed stems to lencia, has been a freshwater lagoon since the 17th century. parks, tower blocks and other infrastructure. circles depending on the degree of scrubland which is characterized Furthermore there have been numerous interventions aimed terized by plants that are adapted cial strategies in order to survive. weave their nests. Other frequent salinity: in the central area where by the great density, diversity and Martinet (Nycticorax nycticorax) at the recovery of the different environments affected by the Although it is not large (10km long by 1km wide) a range of It is important to emphasise that the degree of damage caused Seashell (Rubicardium sp.) to saline conditions. Both envi- Sand stock (Malcolmia littorea) Plants have flexible or horizontal Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) Dense vegetation made up of lianas visitors are the little grebe and the salinity is very high, there is and creepers extension of the plant cover. There process of urban development: climate and edaphic factors combine in this area to support by this urban development was different in the north and south ronments contain a wide range stems (stolons) so as not to be bro- the great crested grebe, which no vegetation, around this zone are various different plant strata in In the seaward dune system area roads, car parks and unused a diversity of flora, fauna and landscapes that give it an im- sections of the Devesa. The north of the Devesa (which extends of invertebrate fauna, which feeds ken by the wind, extensive roots build floating nests that are hid- the salt marsh vegetation grows, this ecosystems: moss (mosses and infrastructure have been eliminated along with the whole of portant, and internationally recognized, environmental value. to the Gola de El Pujol – the Pujol irrigation canal) was de- on the detritus provided by the to anchor them in the sand, leaves den among the vegetation by principally marsh samphire, and lichens), herbaceous, shrub, creep- the old promenade. The fore dunes of the Devesa have been (More than 400 different plant species have been identified in stroyed; infrastructure and housing was built. In the south (from sea. that are small or covered in little the banks, the mallard duck and in the outer area where the salin- ers and in the majority of cases completely reconstructed and the transitional dune system, the Devesa). the Gola de El Pujol to the Gola del Perellonet – the Perrellonet hairs to avoid dehydration, or several species of egret, such as ity is lowest there are rushes and trees, above all the Aleppo pine just behind them, has been completely recovered in the irrigation canal) was also destroyed and infrastructure was built fleshy leaves that can store water. the little bittern, the martinet and There are 5 different environments: Red seaweed Cottonweed (Otanthus maritimus) grasses. (Pinus halepensis). south sector. (LIFE-Enebro Project). but no housing. Currently, the southern part is better conserved Ruddy Darter Dragonfly the purple heron. There are also Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) Beach Many of the animals that live (Sympetrum sanguineum) Heather (Erica multiflora) and enjoys a greater degree of protection. Among the invertebrates, the most This environment is preferred by many small mammals such as the At the same time, the dune slacks have been recovered by The seaward dune system in this habitat have biological abundant are, together with small the majority of the predators to greater white-toothed shrew, the returning the sand to its original location; the seaward dune Dune slacks (depressions between dunes) The process of urban development almost destroyed the De- rhythms involving twilight or noc- crustaceans and snails, insects that rest during the day. The common white-toothed pygmy shrew, the system. The inland dune system vesa as a natural space, but at the end of the 1970s the process turnal activity to avoid the high spend all or part of their life cycle or small spotted genet, the fox and brown rat and the southern water Furthermore, many of the roads and car parks and infrastruc- The banks of the Albufera of development was stopped and in 1980 the Valencia City daytime sand temperatures. They in the pools of water (water bee- the long-eared owl wait for twilight vole. ture that had been constructed in the inland dune system Council created the Devesa-Albufera Technical Office which remain buried during the day tles, dragonflies, water bugs…). hidden in the dense vegetation, be- have been reduced or eliminated, thus achieving little by was responsible for the management, conservation and recov- Seashell (Chlamys sp.) Oviparous sharks lay eggs and Sand Viper’s Gloss (Echium sabulicola) like the dung beetle, or attached leave hatching to destiny. The Among the vertebrates the Iberian fore going out to look for prey. little the integration of the recovered areas with the rest of ery of the space. to the leaves of plants, such as Water beetle (Ditiscus sp.) Myrtle (Myrtus communis) Red-crested duck (Netta rufina) eggs have a thick rubbery case green frog and the water snake some snails, and in the evening the environment. From that moment a series of measures were initiated that or shell. In general the eggs are are the most common. This area laid in pairs. The embryos are they come out or climb down to The feathers of an is frequented by meadow birds All the actions are always accompanied by extensive informa- aimed at the conservation of the least affected areas and the nourished by the egg yolk. feed. Some other animals such as adult flamingo tion campaigns, together with a range of educational and cul- acceleration of the natural regeneration of the most affected with long beaks that allow them range from pink the red-tailed spiny-footed lizard, tural, with the aim of promoting the natural value of the area, areas.