Área de Allariz Biosphere Reserve, Spain

 

Área de Allariz Biosphere Reserve, situated in Galicia in the Iberian Peninsula in northwestern Spain, is particularly important for cultural values and sustainable land-use enabling local flora and fauna conservation.

Ecological Characteristics

The Biosphere Reserve is of great biogeographical importance, because the local flora and fauna have been preserved in this border territory between two vast ecological areas: the morpho-tectonic semi-endorheic depression, with a flat base where the River Limia flows, and the mountain ridge that in the north is characterized by the Allariz granitic massif where the confined Arnoia River windingly circulates.

Three ecologically valuable areas stand out: the veigas or enclaves of land on the banks of the Antela canal and the Limia River, with herbaceous and shrub vegetation; the touzas, a mosaic of meadows or croplands, separated by patches of trees; and the sebes, mixed Pedunculate and Pyrenean Oak with considerable specific diversity.

Socio-Economic Characteristics

The area is characterized by traditional grazing and agricultural uses. Activities related with economic and human development have adjusted to this tradition over centuries.

Presently land use and development are implemented through the plans of the Municipalities having their area in the Biosphere Reserve. These plans contain the bases for sustainable development, primarily encouraging traditional land uses that have enabled the area to conserve its own very particular natural, socio-cultural and economic characteristics.

All the actions set out in the Land Plan aim atcombining the different possibilities offered by agriculture, animal husbandry, hunting, fishing, tourism, historical heritage and others, and to implement management that links the development of the area with conservation and the protection of the territory’s natural assets.

 

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Last updated: February 2019