UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory

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			Biosphere Reserve Information
			Spain ORDESA-VIÑAMALA


	General Description		This biosphere reserve comprises the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park ( 18% nucleus zone) and the Viñamala Hunting Reserve. It consists of the Ordesa Valley, a canyon with vertical walls, being the result of successive glaciations during the Quaternary period, and the valley of the Arazas River, confluent with the Ara River, with a large number of waterfalls. The massif of Monte Perdido and the heads of the valleys of Ordesa, Añisclo, Escuain, and Pineta have been recently included in the Park (1982). Viñamala is mountainous with an imposing massif subsequently modified by glacial action. It is covered with distinct types of woodlands, from mixed woodland with Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) to Black pine (Pinus uncinata) woodland in the highland meadows. Sanctuary for wild animals 32 different species of mammals, 65 of birds, 8 of reptiles, 3 of fish and six of amphibians ( pyrenean chamois, marmot, lammergeyer, stoat, pyrenean lizard, Pyrenean frog, brown trout ). Ordesa-Viñamala contains twenty-seven habitats of interest in Europe.The reserve is situated in a remote part of Spain in central Pyrenees where the people conserve a vivid folklore tradition. More than 3,000 inhabitants (1998) live in the surroundings of the biosphere reserve in the Comarca de Sobrarbe and the Comarca de Alto Gallego municipalities, mainly engaged in tourism and small-scale industry. The area has been settled for hundreds of years with cattle and sheep farming providing the principal means of income. More than 700,000 tourists (2000) visit the reserve annually. The creation of a support center to assist with scientific fieldwork and a basic laboratory for the collection and conservation of biological material is foreseen.
	Major ecosystem type		Mixed mountain and highland systems
	Major habitats & land cover types		Mountain habitats; mixed woodland consisting of beech (Fagus sylvatica) and conifers such as Pinus sylvestris; black mountain pine (Pinus uncinata) woodland; sub-alpine and alpine habitats; highland meadows; rivers; agroecosystems
	Location		42°37' to 42°51'N; 0°35'W to 0°04'E
	Area (hectares)
	Total		51,396
	Core area(s)
	Buffer zone(s)
	Transition area(s) when given
	Altitude (metres above sea level)		+875 to +3,355
	Year designated		1977
	Administrative authorities		Viñamala Reserve, including Ordesa National Park Gobierno de Aragón

	Brief description		Hydrology Flora Protection of Gypaetus barbatus
	*Specific variables...*
	Abiotic		Hydrology.
	Biodiversity		Birds, conservation, flora.
	Socio-economic		n.a.
	Integrated monitoring		n.a.

	Contact address		Carlos Ontañón Carrera Diputación General de Aragón Edificio Pignatelli, 36 50071 Zaragoza Spain
	Telephone		(34.976) 71 48 10
	Fax		(34.976) 71 48 17
	E-mail

	Contact address		Luis Marquina Murlash Parque Nacional de Ordesa Plaza de Cervantes, 5-4a planta 22071 Huesca Spain
	Telephone		(34.974) 24 33 61
	Fax		(34.974) 24 27 25
	E-mail		ordesa@mma.es

Last updated: 11/03/2005