Nature
of Park Flora and fauna Níjar, and his region, is framed
within unit biogeográfica Murcian-native of Almeri'a,
and we have seen as it has characteristics climatic (subbarren
with high humidity average and high evaporation and exhibition
to pave) and edafológicas with grounds and relief volcanic
of little subjection, which they influence in the presence of
a weak vegetation able to take advantage of the little rainfall
and a edáfica vegetation, that does not depend on the
precipitations and that adapt to the ground or hidden precipitations
to survive, great variety and wealth. It is a ground of Mediterranean
vegetation that represents one of the florísticas units
here more singulars of the Peninsula with numerous singularities,
like the palmito (Chamaerops humilis), only native palm of the
continent, the lentisco, the arcs and azufaifos (Ziziphus Lotus),
prodigy of adaptation to means. The scrub and the thorny forest
of little branches predominate on the hoisted one, which imposes
in this habitat the predominance, with respect to fauna, of
insects and vertebrates. The presence animal of Níjar,
is complemented with the reptiles, amphibians and birds that
live in the humedales of the Cabo de Gata, next to a modest
representation of mammals. In one talks about the fauna and
marine, so rich flora and conserved well, we will divide it
in four ecosystems for a easier exhibition. Barren zone: Volcanic
sands and coastal cliff, dunes, sandy grounds and saladares
Espeparia zone: The scrub and the thorny forest (the mount slope
boulevards, Serrata and hills and precipices) Dry zone of orchards:
The tree (the Colativí, Níjar and the orchards
of the coast, Fernán Perez, the Hortichuelas and the
Well of the Friars) Barren zone Volcanic sands and coastal cliff,
dunes sandy grounds and saladares In the zone influenced by
the surge some live líquenes specialized and small seaweed.
They are steep of vertical wall where we found some redoubt
vegetal in cavities and landings. The vegetation is adapted
to support the salinity, like hinojo sailor (Crithmum maritimum)
and the saladinas (Lycium intricatum). In beaches, where organic
rest with the surge can arrive, we found the caterpillar of
sea (marine Cakile). The dunes of the coast, shelter a little
vegetation, between which it dominates Cottony compound (Otanthus
Maritimus) and the Elymus Factus. In the strip of movable dunes,
we found gramíneas like the Barrón (arundinacea
Ammophila arenaira). More moved away of the water, in semi-portable
dunes, with the presence of camefíticas species, like
Bolina or Pegamoscas (Ononis natrix ramosissima). In fixed dunes,
we found tarayales of boveana Tomarix and species halófilas
like the Limonium delicat um, and where there is greater humidity,
the great almajos (insipid scorpiurus) like the fruticosa Sarcocomia
that in this zone we can find in brackish pools. On the pastizal,
barronal and low scrub, emphasize the cupolas of the azufaifos,
under which to a microworld of numerous vegetal species and
animals are hidden, that are near the sea here. Finally, in
the superior zone of cliffs and in volcanic slopes, we have
the comical, the retamales and some lentisco. Also we tripped
over small wood of palmitos and black hawthorns that alternate
themselves with tomillares, efedras, bufalagas, pegamoscas,
orovales, etc., which they complete with his indicated nature
North African, a unique picture of Europe.
In
these places they abound the hocicuda viper (Vipera latasti),
the bastard snake and the one of stairs, the ocelado lizard,
eslizón tridáctilo and the running toad, like
representatives of the amphibians and reptiles, between the
mammals we can be found with the Moorish sprocket wheel, musarañas,
some fox that approach mainly until the coast and, rabbits and
hares. It is here where they grow and they develop most of species
of edáfica vegetation with exclusive varieties in the
world and where we found the birds aquatic, centered mainly
in the area of reserve of Marinas-Amoladeras and the old lagoon
that today forms the salt mines of Cabo de Gata. These zones
constitute the zones of better as much summer observation, in
which we can study to flamenco, storks, garcetas and many larolimícolas
which Europe, Africa arrive from and other zones of also decrepit
Andalusia and, bee-eaters, this, that go towards the esteparia
zone, like winter, when they arrive avefrías, alcaravanes,
trompeteros camachuelos, etc., and is equally important as base
of migratory birds, between which are tórtolas, currucas,
little kings, fish trap, etc., and permanent like earthly marismeña,
mochuelo, kestrel. More the interior, the mount under shows
the typical scrub to us of degradation of the steppe. Tarayales:
Site populated with tarayes// Taray: Shrub of the family of
those of the Tamaricáceas, that grows until after meters
of height, with branches mimbreñas of reddish crust,
leaves glaucas, slight, abrazadoras in the base, elliptical
and with acute end, small, globosas flowers, in lateral ears,
with incarnated chalice and white petals, and dry, capsular
fruit, of three black divisions, and seeds. It is common in
the borders of the rivers (definition R.A.E.) Halófilo:
It is said of the plants that live in lands where the salts
abound (definition R.A.E.) Saltwort: Each one of the plants
that give barilla (definition R.A.E.) Barrón: Perennial
plant of the family of the Gramíneas, with right stems
of near a meter of height, coiled, sharp leaves and glaucas,
and flowers in panoja yellowish and cylindrical, with short
hairs. It grows in marine sandy grounds and it serves for consolidarlos.
(definition R.A.E.) Birds: Set of the birds of a country or
region (definition R.A.E.) The scrub and the forest under thorny.
The mount slope Boulevards, serrata and hills and precipices.
The espartal, to aulagar and to tomillar composes the vast extensions
of degradation scrub (vegetation adapted to the human presence)
that, from the cutting and it burns of the weak preexisting
wooded base (high ligneous scrub), dominates to the slopes and
hills of practically all the region. In spite of his doubtless
botanical interest, it forms the zone of more insipid landscape,
cheered solely for small oases of palms, chumberas and you toot
or agaves of high pitaco, next to isolated old olive groves,
almendrales and fig trees. The dominant fauna in the region
is the insects, abounding in the first place the ortópteros
(religious Mantis), the himenópteros (ants lasius, bees),
coleopters (cicadas) and dípteros (flies, mosquitos,
tábanos etc.), whose presence never gets to be annoying
nor excessive safe in places with cattle presence, also we will
find here to the small lizard colirroja, the salamanquesas,
lizards and eslizones next to toads, frogs and the snake of
horseshoe. Also it will appear the fox, the careto dormouse,
topillo, tejón, the bat and until the wild boar and,
of course, the rabbit. Of between the birds we will emphasize
mochuelo, the carrack, the bee-eater, the real owl, the zurita
dove, the zorzal and the perdiz.
Dry
zone of orchards The tree. The colativí, Níjar
and the orchards of the coast, Fernán Perez, the Hortichuelas,
the Well of the Friars In the small wooded enclaves of Genoveses,
San jOse, precipice of the Black, Apricots and Bitter Water,
near the Colativí can be found rest of old forests of
oaks and small arboreal groupings witnesses of rainier times.
It is from the Colativí towards the south by slopes of
Alhamilla Mountain range, in Inox, Huebro and Villa, where we
found the best conditions of ground and humidity of the region.
The water of the springs, the shade of the riscos and the agricultural
work have favored the appearance del greater "green oasis"
of the region, where we can find unit of olma, carob tree, chestnut
tree, walnut, eucalyptus, pines, cattles, olive trees, fig trees,
palms and a great variety of fruit trees and trees of irrigated
land between which it dominates naranjo. The orchards and bancales
in high mount maintain testimony of cultures and hoisted of
dry land that alternated with native species. Also they are
contiguous and they hold often the bancales with chumberas here
and you toot. Next to the watered drains and precipices it is
the rush, the cane and sinfín of flowers, olorosas plants,
shrubs and trepadoras. The height and the greater humidity,
as well as the temperature difference towards lower values,
cause a slight reduction in the fauna of invertebrates, clearer
in the zones of intensive culture and due to the fumigated agriculturist,
being in general the same one. Between the reptiles and amphibians
we will be able to name to the water snake (Natrix maura) and
some galápago leprous (mauremys caspica) and of between
the mammals, rustic mouse and the rat, although very controlled
by foxes, snakes and other predators that find splendid refuges
in the high, full zone of caves, cracks and holes in balates
of stone of the bancales. Aside from rapaces, owls, mochuelos
and other trasnochadores, the birds are here of less bearing
in general, with the roqueros airplanes (Hirundo rupestri) collabas
black (Oenanthe leucura), real billhooks (Apus melva), to mir
them, hoopoes and sparrows, coal miners and finches, among others.
The coastal platform The marine bottoms. The prairies of posidonia
The Natural Park account with a protected marine extension of
12,000 You have, corresponding to one mile marine from the coast,
with more than thousand species between flora and fauna, that
does that as a whole, given described the geologic aspects of
vulcanism, can be spoken of biotopo sailor of first order. The
cliffs, that represent the greater percentage in the coast of
Níjar, have one varied continuation under the water,
profusely of grottos, caves, walls, extraplomos, blocks and
typical magmatic outcrops of volcanic génesis and marine
erosion, generators of one of the more beautiful marine bottoms
and better conserved of the Mediterranean Sea. The rocky composition
and the clarity of their waters, of up to 18-20 meters in optimal
conditions, turn it a paradise for the contemplativo and photographic
diving. In some places, like Mónsul or Rodalquilar, we
can enjoy this so single beauty to a meter of depth, being able,
until the most timid swimmers, to be surprised of this unusual
wealth. It will be from the 5 meters and until the 20 where
the most experienced divers they enjoy a unique spectacle which
we will divide for its better understanding in three bottoms:
Sand bottom With variety of thickness in the sands, it shows
the fine one greater depth, seated in a bottom muddy with fanerógamas
marine, that are, more than seaweed, true plants with flowers,
a rich fauna camouflaged between sediments: bivalvos moluscos
like the coquinas, to chir them, like cañailla the cephalopod
and, gasterópodos, etc eggs nautical, like jibia. Also
sprocket wheels and other equinodermos, as the sand star; varied
crustaceans of type crab and an endless ones of fish like salmonete,
the Herrera, tordo, etc.
Fondo
de rocas
En
él se encuentra, a poca profundidad, la cubierta vegetal
repleta de algas, esponjas, madréporas, anémonas,
falso coral, anélidos, moluscos, erizos y estrellas,
como la purpúrea y peces de colores como el pez Músico
o Reyezuelo, el Verrugallo, el Pez Verde, la Mojarras y a mayor
profundidad, el Mero, la Morena y el Rascacio. Todos ellos encuentran
grandes cantidades de alimentos entre las algas y refugio en
las grietas, en un delicado equilibrio.
Llanuras
de posidonia
Es
la posidonia una fanerógama con flores, hojas, rizomas
y raíces. Forma amplias praderas sustentadoras de la
producción primaria, la oxigenación e incluso
influye en el movimiento de las masas de agua. Asentada inicialmente
en fondo rocoso a 20 m. de profundidad, es poblada por numerosas
especies de equinodermos y cefalópodos (pulpo común),
la nacra (bivalvo gigante) y las estrellas rojas.
Curiosidades
Entre
las muchas curiosidades de la comarca podrán ver el Palmito
(Chamaerops humilis), única palmera autóctona
europea.
El
azufaifo (Ziziphus lotus) bajo el cual encontramos un verdadero
ecosistema completo y una serie de endemismos botánicos,
como la Alaga mora, el Dragoncillo del Cabo, el Androcybium
europaeum, bulbo de sorprendente floración invernal;
el Jopo de lobo (Cynomorium coccineum), y el Chumberillo de
lobo, que es el único en Europa que desarrolla de forma
natural un biotipo cactoide; la Dianthus charidemi, clavellina
bella y delicada con flores blancas de cinco pétalos,
el Antirrhinum charidemi, Sideritis osteoxyla, Teucrium charidemi
y otras rarezas exclusivas de la comarca, que encuentran un
suelo ideal entre las andesitas y los albardinales influidos
por la maresía y la salinidad del suelo.
De
entre las aves, destacar el Flamenco, el Camachuelo trompetero,
el Chorlitejo patinegro y la alondra Dupont, que se cría
en estos parajes esteparios.
En
barco por la costa
La
zona marítima del Parque Natural ocupa el ancho de una
milla marina (1851’820 metros) mar adentro, a lo largo
de casi 45 kilómetros de litoral, lo que implica un total
de unas 12.200 Has., teniendo su límite Norte es la desembocadura
del Barranco Hondo, al Norte de Mesa Roldán y por el
Sur su frontera está en la Rambla del Agua, cerca de
Retamar.
Sus
aguas presentan la temperatura media más elevada de toda
la Península, con 17’1º C (periodo 1991-94)
y una amplitud térmica de 7’5º C. Esta calidez
es debida a las altas medias veraniegas y a un curioso y persistente
"minianticiclón" (zona de altas presiones relativas)
que suele posicionarse en la zona entre primeros de Diciembre
y mediados de enero, cuando más bajas deberían
ser las temperaturas, ocasionando un tiempo soleado y una mar
en calma a la que los marineros de la zona llaman "aceitosa"
o "mar blanca", debido a su famoso efecto visual de
reflejo.
Probablemente
éstas sean las aguas más limpias del Mar Mediterráneo,
con una visibilidad media de 16 metros, aunque sobre rocas y
en óptimas condiciones pueden llegar a los 21.
Con
un porcentaje cercano al 50% de días en calma al año
nos encontramos frente a una costa de mar relativamente tranquila
en la que es muy temido el temporal de Poniente, que puede llegar
a producir corrientes cercanas a la costa muy rápidas
en dirección Este.
Desde
el Cabo de Gata hasta Mesa Roldán las corrientes de costa
suelen ser de dirección Suroeste (SO), donde predomina
el Levante desde julio hasta octubre y el Poniente de noviembre
a junio. En esta zona de la costa el temporal de Poniente es
cortado en parte por la Sierra litoral y, aunque se le supone
menos peligro de alejar los barcos de la costa, tiene fama de
ser molesto pero no tan fuerte, si bien puntualmente ha ocasionado
grandes catástrofes, pues los puertos naturales de esta
costa no resguardan cuando los vientos son de componente Este
o rolan hacia el Sureste, y es precisamente el Levante el que
se torna muy peligroso para cualquier fondeadero, cala o puerto
de la comarca.
Submarine
trip The volcanic mountain range has a submarine continuation
and beauties in its cliffs that are only possible to enjoy from
the sea. From Cove Fig tree to the end of the Esparto the boiler
of the Friars extends, of five kilometers of diameter, that
has been eroded by the sea and presents/displays a unique cliff
landscape on world-wide scale formed by tufas, breaches, domes,
taps and sediments of up to 200 meters of height. Less impressive
they are not the walls, coves and reefs that arrive until the
Cabo and towards the North, the yellow terraces and eroded forms
of the boiler of Rodalquilar between the Hill of the Wolves
and the Jewel. One of the best forms to recreate that it offers
east coastal corner is to cross it in boat, doing stopped in
the places where to arrive at them by earth it involves a greater
difficulty, to enjoy landscapes unusual and to enjoy clean and
crystalline water baths. Paradise for the lovers of the diving
and photographs submarine, where they can discover sinfín
of species animals and vegetables between which are the prairies
of posidonia, the anemones, coralline, ascidias, etc., in danger
by the exhaustive or unsuitable arts of fishing for the preservation
of the marine bottoms. In the marine zone of the Natural Park
the artisan fishing is only allowed, that not in all its scope,
since zones vetoed for this activity exist. The mere one, the
lubina, colored person and other species in difficult balance
can be observed and be photographed, but they are protected
by Law and its fishing is not allowed. Completely it is prohibited
the submarine sport fishing with bottles as well as the harvesting
of marine, gasterópodos, bivalvos organisms, cephalopods
and other species of flora and fauna. The sport fishing with
cane from the coast and boats is authorized, with the exception
of the areas prohibited (zones of bath or frequented by swimmers
or zones of dischargeprotection) considering sport fishing those
inferior captures to 15 kg by boat and 2 kg by individual for
earth cane fishing. The pecios or been shipwrecked naval structures
are abundant in this coast of ancestral traffic and refuge of
pirates. Of difficult location and protected by the norm we
must ask for information in A. M. To and in the located schools
of diving throughout the coast of the Natural Park, where we
will find specialists who will inform to us and accompany in
our route. Zones of High Protection are considered the enclaves
of Cabo de Gata, Morrón of the Genoveses, Bare Hill End,
End of the Polacra, Javana End, Small barren island of San Pedro
and Punta of the Average Orange. Zones of High Protection: Spaces
better conserved as much in the structure of the bottoms like
in its ecological conditions. The fishing in Níjar Also
the fishermen speak here of a reduction in the number of captures
with respect to last times simultaneously that, paradoxicalally,
praise the increase of quality and flavor of these. The reasons
are varied again and peculiar: as the evaporation is high and
the water contribution fresh water of the rivers and rains has
descended lately, it has increased the salinity average. This
produces that the more flavorful captures are of minor so large
but (is famous here the prawn of the "song" of Almeria
and other species that abound in the beril of the 200 meters,
so near the coast, that the fishing boats get to make the task
in 12 hours). In addition, the "dry ones" throughout
the coast abound, where they lay eggs and the species and in
nonexistent are fed, from Roldán Table to Cabo de Gata,
the feared "suitcase", sobreexcesses of seaweed produced
by the contributions of the boulevards with the rest of phosphates
(agricultural installments) that when being disturbed release
to nutrients generating seaweed that gets to flood the networks,
driving away and contaminating the fishing. Surprising coast
by their cleaning in that still they show the dolphins, twig
some Cachalote (1994) and in that until recently jugueteaban
the seals monk, fled by mutual incompatibility with human the
fishing activity. The botanical stroll The wild Flora of the
region of is admired by botanists worldwide. Zone of fragile
balance, is today made the management of its protection and
recovery. For that reason, in the relative thing to the Natural
park, the authorization needs A. M. To for the starting, harvesting
or cuts of numerous arboreal, arbustivas and subarbustivas species.
If we made scientific studies or of another type, we must contact
with the Agency or ask for information in the Center of Interpretation
of the Amoladeras. Species Protected in the Natural Park of
Cabo de Gata-Ni'jar including in the Catalogue Andalusian of
Threatened Species of Special Interest and the mentioned ones
in International Treaties subscribed by Spain. The ornithological
stroll Classified like Zone of Special Protection of Birds (Z.
And P. A.), it is a paradise for the fans to the ornithology.
From the Amoladeras to the Salt mines of Cabo de Gata and by
the steppe to the Natural Place of Alhamilla Mountain range,
the only aid of prisms binocular and a good guide of birds we
can enjoy sedentary, summer, invernantes, migradores birds of
step and constants. It exists an observatory with information
in the Salt mines, another one in the Amoladeras and a shelter.
protection) considering sport fishing those inferior captures
to 15 kg by boat and 2 kg by individual for earth cane fishing.
The pecios or been shipwrecked naval structures are abundant
in this coast of ancestral traffic and refuge of pirates. Of
difficult location and protected by the norm we must ask for
information in A. M. To and in the located schools of diving
throughout the coast of the Natural Park, where we will find
specialists who will inform to us and accompany in our route.
Zones of High Protection are considered the enclaves of Cabo
de Gata, Morrón of the Genoveses, Bare Hill End, End
of the Polacra, Javana End, Small barren island of San Pedro
and Punta of the Average Orange. Zones of High Protection: Spaces
better conserved as much in the structure of the bottoms like
in its ecological conditions. The fishing in Níjar Also
the fishermen speak here of a reduction in the number of captures
with respect to last times simultaneously that, paradoxicalally,
praise the increase of quality and flavor of these. The reasons
are varied again and peculiar: as the evaporation is high and
the water contribution fresh water of the rivers and rains has
descended lately, it has increased the salinity average. This
produces that the more flavorful captures are of minor so large
but (is famous here the prawn of the "song" of Almeria
and other species that abound in the beril of the 200 meters,
so near the coast, that the fishing boats get to make the task
in 12 hours). In addition, the "dry ones" throughout
the coast abound, where they lay eggs and the species and in
nonexistent are fed, from Roldán Table to Cabo de Gata,
the feared "suitcase", sobreexcesses of seaweed produced
by the contributions of the boulevards with the rest of phosphates
(agricultural installments) that when being disturbed release
to nutrients generating seaweed that gets to flood the networks,
driving away and contaminating the fishing. Surprising coast
by their cleaning in that still they show the dolphins, twig
some Cachalote (1994) and in that until recently jugueteaban
the seals monk, fled by mutual incompatibility with human the
fishing activity. The botanical stroll The wild Flora of the
region of is admired by botanists worldwide. Zone of fragile
balance, is today made the management of its protection and
recovery. For that reason, in the relative thing to the Natural
park, the authorization needs A. M. To for the starting, harvesting
or cuts of numerous arboreal, arbustivas and subarbustivas species.
If we made scientific studies or of another type, we must contact
with the Agency or ask for information in the Center of Interpretation
of the Amoladeras. Species Protected in the Natural Park of
Cabo de Gata-Ni'jar including in the Catalogue Andalusian of
Threatened Species of Special Interest and the mentioned ones
in International Treaties subscribed by Spain. The ornithological
stroll Classified like Zone of Special Protection of Birds (Z.
And P. A.), it is a paradise for the fans to the ornithology.
From the Amoladeras to the Salt mines of Cabo de Gata and by
the steppe to the Natural Place of Alhamilla Mountain range,
the only aid of prisms binocular and a good guide of birds we
can enjoy sedentary, summer, invernantes, migradores birds of
step and constants. It exists an observatory with information
in the Salt mines, another one in the Amoladeras and a shelter.