The Atlantic Islands Park is included in the list of Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance
The Atlantic Islands of Galicia Maritime-Terrestrial National Park has just been included in the list of Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance, particularly as a habitat for water birds. This list is aimed at preserving and protecting wetlands through local, national and international collaborative actions.
This week, the Spanish Council of Ministers has approved the request submitted by the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. At present, in Spain there are 76 areas included in this list, covering a total surface area of 316,789 hectares.
This national park is located in the region of Galicia on the Atlantic coast and comprises four archipelagos: Cíes, Ons, Sálvora and Cortegada. According to previous studies, up to 52 endangered species are found in wetlands.
It covers an area of 8,542.62 hectares, of which 86% corresponds to sea surface. This outstanding natural area includes three types of environment: a shallow water marine environment with rocky and sandy seabed, and a dynamic coastal environment with land and sea caves.
Its terrestrial environment is characterised by rocky granite outcrops, dune systems and some seasonal springs and streams.
An outstanding space
This is an area of great scenic beauty, including at least 1,492 taxa (416 of plants, of which 254 are algae; and 1,076 of animals, of which 851 are invertebrates).
The Atlantic Islands of Galicia Maritime-Terrestrial National Park are also home to many endangered species, abundant water birds and a great diversity of fish, shellfish and other aquatic invertebrates.
As for wetlands, 27 are listed as habitats of community interest, of which 6 are considered a priority and 17 are outstandingly preserved, for example, submerged or semi-submerged sea caves and coastal lagoons.
Endangered and endemic species
The area has an outstanding fauna, including up to 52 endangered species living in wetlands (48 vertebrates and 4 invertebrates), including fish, birds and sea mammals (17, 12 and 12 endangered taxa, respectively). There, at least 6 endemic species have been described.
There are more than 20,000 aquatic birds, including the yellow-legged gull (Larus michaellis).
This space is a Protected Area of the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR), is listed in the Natura 2000 Network and is a Spanish National Park.
