Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs

Territory :

The inland surface of the Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Place extents over 395 ha. It is mainly characterised by steep clifs, reaching 75 m of high ground, and numerous inlets originated through erosion and marine regression over the last foothills of the Sierra de Almijara. Some rivers as Barranco de la Maro, de la Miel, Cantarriján, Colmenarejos and Barranco de la Coladilla are running through the area, appearing seasonable the last two rivers, and becomes streams. The area belongs to the municipalities of Nerja (Málaga) and Almuñecar (Granada).

Physical characteristic :

The area is morphologically characterised by a set of cliffs from the intermediate unit of the Alpujárride Complex. These features belong to the Sierra Almijara, being the summit last line of the area. Referring to the stony, the area contains dolomitic limestones, which leads to the formation of dark and medium consolidated soils over the area of less slope, and clear and poorly consolidated soils over the areas of higher slopes.

Specificity and importance :

The maritime strip of the area presents a higher biological diversity than the terrestrial one. Many species are resident of the marine floor. Within the flora, species such as Posidonia oceanica, Zostera marina and Cymodocea nodosa, develop complex meadows considered as priority habitats in the EU context. These meadows represent vital areas of spawning and nursery grounds for many fish species. In addition, a great deal of macroscopic algae can be found in the infralitoral area, being present numerous genus of the three main groups of the macroscopic algae. In addition, there are some protected species in the area such as Caretta caretta, and the marine mammals, Delphinus delphis, Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops trucantus and Balaenopteraa physalus.

Threats and Pressures :

The agriculture as mainly activity, which develops especially subtropical fruits –avocados, custard apples, mangos -, and traditional crops are also common in the area –tomatoes, beans -. Other kind of activity is the tourism. By other hand, fisheries do not constitute a relevant sector in the area. Illegal and/or sportive fishing, and human pressure increase in summer, and that produces a high grade of perturbance in the area.

Ecological characteristics :

The terrestrial flora of the area is diverse. The potential vegetation belongs to the Betic calcicolous of the Quercus ilex. As fauna is concerned, there is a number of seasonal and resident species in the area, such as Vulpes vulpes, Felis silvestris, Mustela nivalis, Martes foina, Erinaceus europaeus, Meles meles, Hemidactylus turcicus, Malpolon monspesselanus, Chamaeleo chameleon and Bufo calamita. It is also relevant the presence of metapopulations of Capra pyrenaica hispanica. The most relevant group is the marine birds. Of special relevance are the folowing species such as Larus ridibundus, Larus cachinnans, Larus fuscus,- winter populations catalogued as vulnerable in Andalousia -, Circaetus gallicus, Hieraaetus fasciatus - in danger of extinction in Andalousia -, Buteo buteo, Falco tinnuculus, Falco naumanni, and Falco peregrinus.

Management :

Territorial de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible de Malaga, Miguel Angel Martin Casillas, (miguel.martin@juntadeandalucia.es)

The Management Plan has been developed by a multidisciplinary group of experts in several fields. All social participative entities which are interested in the area, have been taken into account in all the process, which is regulating the use and planning of the natural resources in the area.

Geographical position :

Málaga-Granada (Andalucia). Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Place is located at the Southern border between the provinces of Málaga and Granada (Andalusia Autonomous Region, Spain). It is a narrow strip of 12 Km length along the coastline, extended 1 mile from coast into the Alborán Sea, and limited at the Northern side by the N-340 Road.