UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory

			Biosphere Reserve Information
			Spain GRAZALEMA


	General Description		Grazalema is located in the southwestern part of Sevilla, in the hydrographic complex of Cádiz. It is also situated in the extreme western side of the ‘Beticas’ mountain chains in the ‘Serranía de Grazalema’ comprising the Pinar, Zafalgar, Monte Prieto and Margarita’s mountains. It consists of a massif karstic limestone with closed river basins, headstreams of the Guadalete and Majacete’s Rivers and tributaries of the Guadiaro. It also comprises a mountain lagoon called ‘Laguna del Perezoso’. The relief is very complicated and abrupt, comprising very jagged crests and cavernous karstic plateau, with precipitous edges. The Sierra, the highest in the province of Cádiz, stands like a great spur overlooking the whole territory. The biosphere reserve contains a wealth of floral diversity, with some 700 species of vascular plants catalogued to date. Eighteen higher vegetation types have been found including evergreen sclerophyllous forests, woodlands and scrub. The core area comprises 300 hectares of Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo) forest, including carob tree woods, pine and fir woods. More than 8,000 inhabitants (2001) live in the biosphere reserve. In the low zones, cattle and sheep are allowed to graze with some restrictions. After nine years of protection, the Grazalema pine forest is rapidly evolving towards a state of equilibrium. An initiative to restock the karst-like deteriorated hills with standing shrubs and luxuriant creepers is being developed.
	Major ecosystem type		Evergreen sclerophyllous forests, woodlands or scrub
	Major habitats & land cover types		Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo) forest with Quercus faginea alpestris, Acer monspessulanum, Q. suber and Q. ilex; maquis; carob tree (Ceratonia sp.) woods; pine and fir woods; mountains, karst
	Location		36°15' to 36°54'N; 05°20' to 05°32'W
	Area (hectares)
	Total		51,695
	Core area(s)		3,308
	Buffer zone(s)		41,770
	Transition area(s) when given		6,617
	Altitude (metres above sea level)		+250 to +1,654
	Year designated		1977
	Administrative authorities		Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Medio Ambiente

	Brief description		Survey of vascular plants Vegetation mapping Structure/ function of fir, hardwood, maquis communities Biological evolution Restocking of rabbits Prevention of forest fires
	*Specific variables...*
	Abiotic		n.a.
	Biodiversity		Community studies/Communities, ecosystem functioning/ecosystem structure, evolutionary studies/palaeoecology/evolution, mammals, plants, vegetation studies/plant cover.
	Socio-economic		n.a.
	Integrated monitoring		Management issues.

	Contact address		Carlos Martínez Ortega Director Conservador Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema Av. de la Diputación, s/n 11670 El Bosque (Cádiz) Spain
	Telephone		(34.956) 71 60 63
	Fax		(34.956) 71 63 39
	E-mail		pn.grazalema.cma@juntadeandalucia.es carlos.martinez.ortega@juntadeandalucia.es

Last updated: 2/27/2007