Protection Name and Figure:
Natural Monuments of the Pyrenean Glaciers. Declared by Law 2/1990 of March 21, of the Cortes de Aragon.
Municipal Terms:
Sallent de Gallego, Panticosa, Torla, Bielsa, San Juan de Plan, Sahún, Benasque, Montanuy.
Extension:
399 hectares.
Altitude:
Between 2,700 meters and 3,000 meters.
Elements of Interest:
Permanent volumes of ice. Unique glacial morphologies: moraines, rocky glaciers, lakes, tundishes, ... Endemic flora and fauna.
| MUNICIPALITY | Mountain | Surface 1894* 1992** | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sallent de Gallego | Balaitus | 55 | 15 |
| Panticosa | Picos del infierno | 72 | 19,6 |
| Torla | Vignemale o Comachibosa | 40 | 2,9 |
| Bielsa | La Munia | 40 | 6,95 |
| Monte Perdido | 556 | 70 | |
| San Juan de Plan | Posets o Lardana | 52 | 21,9 |
| Sahún | Posets o Lardana | 132 | 10,9 |
| Benasque | Posets o Lardana | 132 | 13,9 |
| Perdiguero | 48 | 5,1 | |
| Benasque and Montanuy | Maladeta-Aneto | 560 | 235,1 |
*Data of Schrader
**Data of J. Chueca y F. Lampre
Description
In seven Pyrenean mountain ranges located between the valleys of the Gállego River on the west and Noguera Ribagorzana on the east, are the southern most glaciers in Europe.
His scientific observation began in the late eighteenth century with the "expeditions" of the French pyrenean Ramond de Carboniers.
Throughout the 19th century, other travelers such as the Huesca geologist Lucas Mallada and the Gallic geographer Franz Schrader continued their studies.
Through the writings and drawings of the latter, compared with current studies, the continuous retreat of ice can be seen.
(See table of surfaces).
In 100 years they have been lost in the Aragonese Pyrenees about 1,100 ha. of ice. By the first measurements of Schrader in 1894 an extension of more than 1,500 ha was calculated. for the Aragonese glaciers. At present its surface does not reach 400 ha. and some have already disappeared.
Due to its inaccessibility and the lack of agricultural and forestry resources, glaciers are an ecosystem barely degraded by man. They are witnesses of the past and their study is important to know the evolution of the climate. Some analyzes of the air trapped by the ice come to offer information about the atmosphere thousands of years ago.
In the 80s, the protection of glaciers began to be demanded due to the proliferation of certain infrastructures -such as ski resorts and hydroelectric properties-, which threaten the glacial landscape. At this time, only the Monte Perdido glaciers were protected by the extension, in 1982, of the boundaries of the ORDESA NATIONAL PARK. In 1986 it is proposed to declare all of them as Integral Reserves of Scientific Interest, figure included in the Natural Spaces Act of 1975. Finally, after the enactment in 1989 of the Law for the Conservation of Natural Areas and Wild Flora and Fauna, in March 1990, the protection of PIRENAIC GLACIERS was achieved through the use of NATURAL MONUMENTS. This is intended to encourage the investigation of these rare and fragile natural elements, preserving them from any human alteration that endangers their natural evolution.
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 Moncayo.
- Park of the Sierra and Canyons of 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.
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.