Download From
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Ramsar Wetlands Information Sheet of “Lagoon of Pateira de Fermentelos and Valleys of rivers Águeda and Cértima”, Portugal Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS), page 2 Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) Available for download from http://www.ramsar.org/ris/key_ris_index.htm. Categories approved by Recommendation 4.7 (1990), as amended by Resolution VIII.13 of the 8th Conference of the Contracting Parties (2002) and Resolutions IX.1 Annex B, IX.6, IX.21 and IX. 22 of the 9th Conference of the Contracting Parties (2005). Notes for compilers: 1. The RIS should be completed in accordance with the attached Explanatory Notes and Guidelines for completing the Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands. Compilers are strongly advised to read this guidance before filling in the RIS. 2. Further information and guidance in support of Ramsar site designations are provided in the Strategic Framework and guidelines for the future development of the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Wise Use Handbook 7, 2nd edition, as amended by COP9 Resolution IX.1 Annex B). A 3rd edition of the Handbook, incorporating these amendments, is in preparation and will be available in 2006. 3. Once completed, the RIS (and accompanying map(s)) should be submitted to the Ramsar Secretariat. Compilers should provide an electronic (MS Word) copy of the RIS and, where possible, digital copies of all maps. 1. Name and address of the compiler of this form: FOR OFFICE USE ONLY. DD MM Y Y Célia Maria Morais Laranjeira Câmara Municipal de Águeda Praça do Município 350-500 Águeda, Portugal Designation date Site Reference Number Telephone: 00351 2346010070 Mobile Phone: 00351 962193254 Fax number: 00351 234610078 [email protected] 2. Date this sheet was completed/updated: 27th July 2012 3. Country: Portugal 4. Name of the Ramsar site: The precise name of the designated site in one of the three official languages (English, French or Spanish) of the Convention. Alternative names, including in local language(s), should be given in parentheses after the precise name. Lagoon of Pateira de Fermentelos and Valleys of rivers Águeda and Cértima 5. Designation of new Ramsar site or update of existing site: Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS), page 3 This RIS is for (tick one box only): a) Designation of a new Ramsar site X; b) Updated information on an existing Ramsar site 6. For RIS updates only, changes to the site since its designation or earlier update: a) Site boundary and area The Ramsar site boundary and site area are unchanged: or If the site boundary has changed: i) the boundary has been delineated more accurately ; or ii) the boundary has been extended ; or iii) the boundary has been restricted** and/or If the site area has changed: i) the area has been measured more accurately ; or ii) the area has been extended ; or iii) the area has been reduced** ** Important note: If the boundary and/or area of the designated site is being restricted/reduced, the Contracting Party should have followed the procedures established by the Conference of the Parties in the Annex to COP9 Resolution IX.6 and provided a report in line with paragraph 28 of that Annex, prior to the submission of an updated RIS. b) Describe briefly any major changes to the ecological character of the Ramsar site, including in the application of the Criteria, since the previous RIS for the site: 7. Map of site: Refer to Annex III of the Explanatory Note and Guidelines, for detailed guidance on provision of suitable maps, including digital maps. a) A map of the site, with clearly delineated boundaries, is included as: i) a hard copy (required for inclusion of site in the Ramsar List): √ ii) an electronic format (e.g. a JPEG or ArcView image): √ iii) a GIS file providing geo-referenced site boundary vectors and attribute tables: √. b) Describe briefly the type of boundary delineation applied: To better include all natural relevant aspects, the boundary delineation applied consisted of a combined adjustment to the boundaries of the Natura 2000 network (Special Protection Area of the Ria of Aveiro- PTZPE0004), in some areas to the physical limits of the municipalities (e.g. roads), the limit of habitats that occur in the area and/or the limit of the flood area. 8. Geographical coordinates (latitude/longitude, in degrees and minutes): Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS), page 4 Provide the coordinates of the approximate centre of the site and/or the limits of the site. If the site is composed of more than one separate area, provide coordinates for each of these areas. GS84: 8º 30’ 28.08’’W; 40º 33’ 51.39’’N (ETRS89 PT TM06: – 31732; 99558) 9. General location: The area is located in the Center region of Portugal, in the NUT III Level area of Baixo Vouga. The boundaries of the proposal cover partially the Municipalities of Águeda (parishes of Espinhel, Fermentelos, Óis da Ribeira, Aguada de Baixo, Barrô and Travassô), Aveiro (parishes of Requeixo and Nossa Senhora de Fátima) and Oliveira do Bairro (parishes of Oliveira do Bairro and Oiã). The nearest town is the city of Águeda. 10. Elevation: The elevation of the area goes from a range of 4 meters minimum to approximately 70 meters maximum high. 11. Area: The area of the site is 1559 hectares. The area occupied by wetlands is 459 hectares. 12. General overview of the site: Provide a short paragraph giving a summary description of the principal ecological characteristics and importance of the wetland. The lake commonly referred to as Pateira de Fermentelos stands out in the regional, national, and even international contexts. One of the largest natural freshwater lagoons in the Iberian Peninsula (hydrographical basin of the river Vouga) has a great importance for the maintenance of the natural systems of the surrounding area, and for the local populations in terms of natural, socio-economic and tourist contexts supporting activities such as fishing, bird-watching, hiking, other leisure activities, also agriculture. The Pateira de Fermentelos presents the characteristics of a semi-lentic system integrating the Special Protection Area of the Ria de Aveiro (PTZPE0004) where several species with different national and international protection status occur, as well as their associated habitats and ecosystems 13. Ramsar Criteria: Tick the box under each Criterion applied to the designation of the Ramsar site. See Annex II of the Explanatory Notes and Guidelines for the Criteria and guidelines for their application (adopted by Resolution VII.11). All Criteria which apply should be ticked. 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 8 • 9 Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS), page 5 14. Justification for the application of each Criterion listed in 13 above: Provide justification for each Criterion in turn, clearly identifying to which Criterion the justification applies (see Annex II for guidance on acceptable forms of justification). Ramsar Criteria 1 – The site contains one of the largest freshwater lagoons of the Iberian Peninsula with the correspondent mosaic wetlands habitats, reed beds, marshland and associated habitats, as well as riparian vegetation, complete with transition areas between. Also includes the natural floodplain system of Águeda and Cértima rivers, directly connected to the lagoon ecosystems, with areas with irrigation channels and rice fields in the areas located in the south. The general ecological features create conditions to occur some classified and protected habitats in the area such as Habitat 3150 “Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation”, Habitat 3280 Constantly flowing Mediterranean rivers with Paspalo-Agrostidion species and hanging curtains of Salix and Populus alba and the priority habitat type Habitat 91E0* “Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)”. Recent studies also mention the occurrence of Habitat 1330 and 1130. Ramsar Criteria 2 – This site supports populations of threatened species, listed under the Bonn and Berne Convention, CITES and Council Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds. Concerning the Bird Directive occur 15 species within Annex I e.g. Milvus migrans, Himantopus himantopus, Charadrius alexandrinus, Alcedo atthis, Sylvia undata, etc.. Twelve birds occur with the status of vulnerable (e.g. Ixobrychus minutus, Circus aeruginosus, Porphyrio porphyrio) and one endangered (e.g. Ardea purpurea). Regarding the herpetofauna occur in Pateira (and contiguous areas) several species such as Salamandra salamandra, Hyla arborea, Bufo bufo, Anguis fragilis among others listed in the Annex of the Habitats Directive (Annex II, IV and V) occur. Otter (Lutra lutra) LC status in Portugal, protected by several legal diplomas, can be seen, and it breeds in the area included. Ramsar Criteria 4 - The existence of areas of flooded vegetation, marshland, important areas of reed (Phragmites communis), together with bulrush (Typha sp.) and zebra rush (Scirpus lacustris), as well as riparian forest, and agricultural areas (where occur habitats of Bocage) which represent important feeding, reproduction and refuge for several species of migratory birds. In the area occurs one of the largest communities of Ardea purpurea in Portugal. The conservation status of the species went from "vulnerable" to "endangered" under the Red Book of Vertebrates of Portugal (Cabral et al., 2005). The colony that occurs/breeds in Pateira represents, together with the rest of the Ria de Aveiro ecosystem, at least 50% of the nesting population in Portugal of this specie of conservation priority. It should also be referred the occurrence of several migrating Passeriformes from woods and scrubland, Passeriformes from reed-plots and riparian galleries, as well as Anatidae species. Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS), page 6 Among the different species of bivalve which can be observed at the Vouga water basin (e.g.