La Siberia Biosphere Reserve (Spain). Situated in central-western Spain and bordering the Villuercas-Jara-Ibores UNESCO Global Geopark, the 155,717.49 Biosphere Reserve features major freshwater reservoirs along the Guadiana and Zújar rivers in a landscape of large plains and oak forests. Notable rare plant species in La Siberia include Drosera rotundifolia and Pinguicula lusitanica and its fauna includes species in danger of extinction (notably the Iberian lynx, Lynx pardinus, horseshoe bats, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, and Rhinolophus serotinum). Emblematic birds found in the area include the Iberian imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti), the golden kite (Milvus milvus), the black vulture (Aegypius monachus) and the black stork (Ciconia nigra). Reptile species include the ocellated lizard (Lacerta lepida), the Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa) and the Lataste’s viper (Vipera latasti). The Biosphere Reserve produces prized organic products including cork, charcoal, firewood and honey, and supports organic livestock, including merino black sheep. Sustainable development plans to boost social and economic activity have been developed to curb emigration, which has led to a 57% decline in the local human population since the 1960s.
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