Cabo de Gata Nijar

Territory :

Almeria, Andalusia. It covers a territory of 38,000 ha and one nautical mile (12,000 ha) starting from the coastline (about 45 km long). This is a coastal space with a volcanic origin and with a maximum altitude of 540 metres and a maximum water depth of -60 m.

Physical characteristic :

The relief of the space is hilly in its interior and very abrupt on the coast, essentially with many cliffs, which has defined both the landscape and the use that man has been able to carry out traditionally in this territory. The scarcity of precipitation in the area causes water sources that are generally temporary and torrential (ravines), which, together with very small paths, make up a hydric network of little importance, but with high energy, typical of the subdesert region where it is situated.

Specificity and importance :

With respect to the marine flora, the space presents a great added value due to the types of vegetation that develop and the related biodiversity. The soil types (rocky, sandy) and the diversity of their vegetative colonization (algae and large surfaces covered by Posidonia oceanica) constitute the basis for a great richness of fauna. Of the species indicated in Annex II, there are 3 found in the proposed zone. Regarding marine fauna, the area hides an important community associated both with the soft, rocky soils, as well as with the pelagic species of fish and mammals. Of the species indicated in Annex II for the designation of areas SPAMI, there are 26 found in this proposed space.

Threats and Pressures :

The main exploitation of natural resources is the commercial fishing industry with 280 small scale boats (between 3 and 9 metres long), and of these 80 are of a traditional style. In the past the mining activity has been important here, but currently there is only one exploitation of clay. The only threats being illegal underwater fishing and the dragging that destroys the sea floor ecosystems.

Ecological characteristics :

In the 49,625 ha of surface of the Park it is estimated that there are more than 1000 species that make up its flora, which is approximately 17% of the species that appear in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands and 25% with respect to Andalusia. The flora is constituted for the most part by species from the southeast of the peninsula (53.1%), with 16.3% being Iberian species strictly speaking, 14.3 % are native to Almeria and 10.2 native to the Park.

Management :

Environmental Ministry of the Andalusian Regional Government, Lucia Tejero Trujeque, lucia.tejero@juntadeandalucia.es

The Natural Resources Organization Plan and the Governing Plan for Uses and Management were first developed by a group of multidisciplinary specialists. Afterwards, the plans were revised by technicians of the environmental administration of Andalusia and, finally, they were revised including the criteria adopted by the distinct social elements implicated in the Governing Board of the Natural Park.

Geographical position :

The Cabo de Gata – Nijar Natural Park is located in the southeastern limit of the province of Almeria, Spain.