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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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CABO DE GATA-NIJAR |
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| General Description | This biosphere reserve is located in the extreme southeast of the Iberian Peninsula in the most arid part of Europe. It covers 46,000 hectares, of which 12,000 hectares are in the marine zone to a depth of 60 meters. Its volcanic rocks characterize the landscape and Mediterranean plant communities such as cornical (Periploca laevigata ) tomillares (Labiatae) and halophytic matorral adapted to drought which have a high floristic diversity and are considered a priority for conservation at the European and Mediterranean levels. The coastline has natural seagrass beds, which are a refuge for the monk seal, now an endangered species. Due to the arid climate, the population is disperse (3,500 inhabitants in 2001), but there are many tourists – some 500,000 (1998) per year - which puts great pressure on water resources and land use, but which also provides employment and a market for local produce. Tourism impacts are expected to be reduced as a consequence of the designation as a biosphere reserve. Cabo de Gata-Nijar has been well studied with research and monitoring conducted by the University of Almería and much data are available on climate, geology, fauna and flora. | |||
| Major ecosystem type | Evergreen sclerophyllous forests, woodlands or scrub including marine/coastal component | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Volcanic formation with species such as Ziziphus lotus, Periploca laevigata, Chamaerops humilis, Stipa tenacissima etc.; marine areas with algae and species such as Posidonia oceanica; sand-dune habitats; salt mines of Cabo de Gata | |||
| Location | 36°51'N; 02°06'W (at centre point) | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 49,624 | |||
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| Buffer zone(s) | ||||
| Transition area(s) when given | ||||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | -60 to +493 | |||
| Year designated | 1997 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Junta de Andalucia, Almería Delegation | |||
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| Brief description |
Climate Hydrology Geomorphology Human impact on nature Management of humid areas |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Climate, geomorphology, hydrology. | |||
| Biodiversity | Wetlands. | |||
| Socio-economic | n.a. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | Impact and risk studies/Environmental impact, management issues. | |||
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| Contact address |
Emilio Retamosa Muñoz Director Conservador del Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Nijar C/ Fundición s/n 04071 Rodalquilar-Nijar (Almeria) Spain |
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| Telephone | (34.950) 389742 (34.950) 389744 |
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| Fax | (34.950) 389754 | |||
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pn.cabodegata.cma@juntadeandalucia.es emilioc.retamosa@juntadeandalucia.es |
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| Last updated: 27/02/2007 |
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