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| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
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MONTSENY |
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| General Description | 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. Because of its structure and the hardness of the rocks, the topography is very varied with long rocky slopes. The high relief and deeply incised rivers have produced waterfalls and gorges. Because of differences in altitude and climate, the area contains communities ranging from typically Mediterranean to sub alpine. In the lower part, holm oak (Quercus ilex) is abundant together with other Mediterranean elements such as cork oak and pines. In the upper part of the Mediterranean zone, holm oak gives way to the association of Quercetum mediterraneo-montanum on siliceous soils. More than 850 inhabitants (2000) live in the area, engaged mainly in forestry, cattle raising, agriculture and tourism and the commercialization of local products. Over 1,500 tourists (2000) visit the reserve annually. Eight archeological sites and over 80 architectural monuments from the Middle Age are found. The area is implementing a comprehensive land use plan and promoting sustainable development activities, such as quality tourism, agriculture and forestry. There are many research facilities available and significant abiotic, biotic, and natural and social scientific research has been carried out. | |||
| Major ecosystem type | Evergreen sclerophyllous forests, woodlands or scrub | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | Oak woodlands dominated by holm oak (Quercus ilex) together with cork oak and pines (Pinus halepensis, P. pinea and P. pinaster); shrub and herbaceous communities; Quercetum mediterraneo-montanum associations with mountain oaks, hazel (Corylus sp.) and alder (Alnus sp.); relict community of Prunus lusitanica; oak communities such as Buxeto-Quercetum pubescentis, Aceri-Quercetum petraeae and Quercetum petraeae catalanicum; beech forest (Fagus sylvatica) with Helleborus occidentalis, Anemone nemorosa, Calluna vulgaris etc.; heath and broom communities; subalpine communities of Juniperus nana and Festuca grasslands; siliceous cliffs with Saxifraga vayredana communities | |||
| Location | 41°47'N; 02°25'E | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 30,117 | |||
| Core area(s) | ~1,077 | |||
| Buffer zone(s) | ~16,292 | |||
| Transition area(s) when given | ~12,748 | |||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +270 to +1,712 | |||
| Year designated | 1978 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Diputación de Barcelona Diputación de Girona | |||
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| Brief description |
Meteorology Hydrology Forest ecosystems Regeneration of vegetation after fire Populations of micro-mammals, birds and reptiles Dynamics of natural systems Visitors frequency Socio-economic impacts on the park |
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| Specific variables... | ||||
| Abiotic | Hydrology, meteorology. | |||
| Biodiversity | Birds, fires/fire ecology, forest systems, mammals, population genetics/population dynamics, reptiles, vegetation studies/plant cover. | |||
| Socio-economic | Social/Socio-economic aspects, tourism. | |||
| Integrated monitoring | Impact and risk studies/Environmental impact. | |||
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| Contact address |
Juana Barber Directora Conservador del Parque National Montseny c/Conde de Urgell, 187, 3° planta 08036 Barcelona Spain |
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| Telephone | (34.93) 4022428 | |||
| Fax | (34.93) 4022926 | |||
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barberrj@diba.es |
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| Web site | http://www.diba.es | |||
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n.a. | |||
| Last updated: 2/27/2007 |
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