The Montseny Biosphere Reserve and National Park is located between the Mediterranean and Eurosiberian-Pirenaic regions in the Mediterranean Sclerophyll Province. It is the highest part of the Catalan coastal range.
Description
Map
Surface : 30,120.1 ha
- Core area(s): 1,077.7 ha
- Buffer zone(s): 16,294.7 ha
- Transition zone(s): 12,247.7 ha
Location: 2º26’6’’ E; 41º46’33’’N
Administrative Authorities
Agencia Menorca Reserva de Biosfera
Plaça de la Biosfera 5
07703, Maó (Menorca)
Spain
Tel.: 971356251
Email: reserva.biosfera@cime.es
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Ecological Characteristics
Montseny is a northern massif isolated from the Catalan pre-coastal cordillera. It includes an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna as it is located in the transition zone between the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions, with very well conserved Cork Oak, Holm Oak, Beech, Chestnut, Pine and even Fir forests, giving way to vast grasslands in the highlands.
The numerous water courses are bordered by riparian forests of Aspen, Willow, Hazelnut and Ash trees. Among the fauna, together with other Mediterranean species, are species that are characteristic of Central- European ecosystems, such as the Edible Door-mouse, the European Green Lizard or the Aesculapian Snake, and high mountain species such as the Pyrenean Brook Salamander and the European Common Frog. The entomological fauna is also very varied with a rich diversity of butterfly species.
Socio-Economic Characteristics
The towns within the limits of the Biosphere Reserve are quite small - 6 of the 18 municipalities in the region have less then 1,000 inhabitants. They are also not densely populated.
In the past few decades, the region has moved from being an agricultural and forestry zone to a leisure area, with restaurants, hotels and summer cottages. Most tourists come from Barcelona, as the Biosphere Reserve is located within the city's metropolitan areas. This means that over 50% of the local population is employed in the service sector, while only 10% are employed in primary sectors.
Besides the natural heritage, the Biosphere Reserve has 10 Cultural Sites of National Interest, such as castles, farmhouses, Iberic walls and a church.
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Last updated: January 2019