ORDESA-VIÑAMALA Biosphere Reserve. Natural Protected Spaces in Aragon. Pyrenees, mountains, rivers.

Protection Name and Figure:

Biosphere Reserve since 1977 (MaB Program of UNESCO).

Municipal Terms:

Bestue, Bielsa, Broto, Escuain, Espierba, Fanlo, Lafortunada, Nerin, Puertolas, Revilla, Sarvise, Tella-Sin y Torla.

Extension:

51,396 hectares.

Description

Located in the north of Aragon, in the Central Pyrenees, the ORDESA-VIÑAMALA BIOSPHERE RESERVE was declared as such by UNESCO in 1977. With an extension of 51,396 hectares, occupies the territories of the former Viñamala National Hunting Reserve and the primitive Ordesa National Park. In it they are distinguished two well differentiated sectors: the western and the eastern. The first, in the heart of the Axial Pyrenees, is made up of the Upper Basin of the Gállego River and the Tena Valley and still enjoys the influence of humid Atlantic winds. The second, drained by the Ara River and its tributary the Arazas, is seated on the calcareous substrate of the Pyrenean Inland Sierras and has a much more continentalized climate. The variety, singularity and representativeness of high and medium mountain biotopes present in this space, was the main reason that led to its protection with the figure of RESERVE OF THE BIOSPHERE.

Monte perdido.

The RESERVES OF THE BIOSPHERE integrate an INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF PROTECTED AREAS, established within the framework of the Man and Biosphere Program (MaB) of UNESCO.

This arose in 1971 in the face of global concern about the disappearance of ecosystems of special value, the extinction of species and the degradation of man's relationship with his environment. It is an international scientific program of research, training and dissemination that takes place in more than 100 countries.  Its objective is to provide the scientific knowledge and the qualified personnel necessary to solve the problems that threaten the ecosystems of the Biosphere.  It has focused on 6 areas: Islands and Coastal Zones, Humid and Subhumid Tropics, Arid and Semi-Arid Zones, Temperate and Cold Zones, Urban Ecosystems and Biosphere Reserves. The creation of the latter aims to preserve the main ecosystems of the Earth. In them, efforts are directed towards the conservation of their resources, their natural and cultural heritage and the development of research programs and pilot projects that allow the transfer of management methods and approaches to other similar areas.

Other Protected Natural Spaces in Aragon:

• Natural Reserve of the Galachos de la Alfranca de Pastriz, La Cartuja and El Burgo de Ebro.
• Natural Park of the Dehesa del Moncayo.
• Park of la Sierra y Cañones de Guara.
• Park of Posets-Maladeta.
• Protected landscape of the pine forests of Rodeno.
• Natural Monuments of the Pyrenean Glaciers.
• National Site of National Interest of San Juan de la Peña.
• National Park of Ordesa and Monte Perdido.
• Ordesa-Viñamala Biosphere Reserve.
• Wildlife Refuges.
  • Lomaza de Belchite.
  • Lagoon of Sariñena.
  • Lagoon de Gallocanta.



Also Aragon enjoys a diverse and varied Nature where passing by plants, animals, Geology, or landscapes we can arrive at a fantastic bestiary that lives in its monuments.

The information will not be complete without a stroll by its three provinces, with shutdown in some of its spectacular landscapes like Ordesa, the Moncayo, Monegros or by opposition the Ebro.

Also you can dedicarte to the intangible ones: from the legend compilation that also does to universal Aragon.