# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Vlora has an infinity of options to spend your day, so plan a long stay in this city, at least 1 week, to visit your favorite attractions.

Popular are the beaches of Vlora, it is precisely this city that overlooks the true connection of the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea, a visible embrace of blue water and sand with gravel. But Vlora is also the home of a lagoon, one of the most important in Albania.

Why you should visit Narta Lagoon

It is located at the southern end of the coastal lowland, near the city of Vlora. It has a total area of about 16 square miles (41.8km2), about 1/3 of which and mainly its northern area, is used for the Skoefotina salt flat. This lagoon lies in the southeastern area of the Gulf of Vlora and is separated from the Adriatic Sea by a narrow coastal belt, consisting of alluvial dunes with a total length of about 5 miles (8km). It is formed by the continuous accumulation of solid flows of the Vjosa River.

In the previous articles, we have told you about the Zvernec Monastery, which is located exactly in this lagoon, just a few miles away from the city of Vlora, in its northwestern part, about 19 miles (14 km) away from Vlora, where the Soda forest ends and the Narta lagoon begins. Since the lagoon communicates with the sea through two canals, its water is salty. This has created the opportunity for about 1/3 of the lagoon to be used for salt extraction.

You need to visit the dunes of Narta too.

They are located west of Narta lagoon, in the sandy belt that separates the lagoon from the sea. It represents a group of sand dunes, formed by the action of the wind. The length of the dune belt reaches several miles. They have a height of up to 16 ft (5 -6 m) and a width of up to 80 ft (20 -30 m). Dunes have scientific (geomorphological), aesthetic, tourist, and economic values, as they protect the arable lands in the east to be covered with sand brought by the wind from the beach.

In addition, you will be able to see storks during their migratory season, seagulls on the lagoon and many other birds finding rest in this place. If you are a fan of fishing, take a cane and try your luck. Be patient because sometimes the visitors can disturb the peace and send the fish away.

Anyway, we wish you luck!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why you should visit Narta Lagoon in Vlora - Albania 360

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Vlora has an infinity of options to spend your day, so plan a long stay in this city, at least 1 week, to visit your favorite attractions. Popular are the beaches of Vlora, it is precisely this city that overlooks the true connection of the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea, a visible embrace of blue water and sand with gravel.

# data[].attributes.location_name
Kunë-Vain-Tale Nature Park, Kune-Vain, Tale

# data[].attributes.headline
Kunë-Vain-Tale Nature Park, Kune-Vain, Tale

# data[].attributes.subject
Kunë-Vain-Tale Nature Park, Kune-Vain, Tale

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Rafa and I just wanted to highlight the natural values of one of the latest "marjales" in the mediterranean coast of Spain. fantastic place to get lost and enjoy the peace of a wetland very close to the beach :D

# data[].attributes.body
oued Mellah dam

# data[].attributes.body
These lagoon has a great impact from the intensive agriculture as it surrounds by agriculture areas. It is a very important wetland area in Albania.

# data[].attributes.location_name
Vía sin nombre, 11158 Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, España

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
My name is Javi Elorriaga, I am the vicepresident of the asociaciation Amigos de La Lagumna de La Janda

# data[].attributes.body
www.lagunalajanda.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
THE LAGUNA OF LA JANDA

The Laguna of La Janda was for many years the largest inland wetland in Spain and one of the most relevant in Europe. It was also the most important wetland from an ecological point of view, not least because it was used as a route by all migratory birds crossing the Straits of Gibraltar. La Janda's rich biodiversity was due to its dense coverage of vegetation, the seasonal availability of shallow, fresh water, its strategic situation in the southernmost part of Europe, and its proximity to the African coast. It became a resting place for the millions of birds that made their obligatory migrations to Africa.

Normally covering an area of approximately 4,000 hectares, at times of maximum flooding La Janda increased in size to more than 7,000 hectares, filling smaller lakes in the area and becoming the most important wetland in Europe.

La Janda, like many wetlands in Spain, was drained for agricultural purposes in the middle of the last century. As a result, Spain suffered what was undoubtedly its greatest ecological disaster.
A set of lakes in a tectonic depression
In spite of the extensive destruction caused by drainage, and the damage that continues to be inflicted, the few remnants of the former La Janda, together with the surrounding forests, still maintain a very special ecological relevance by providing refuge and shelter to a significant number of different species of wildlife and migratory birds. Around 2,000 migrating cranes (Grus grus) winter in the area, as do Spanish Imperial Eagles (Aquila adalberti), Harriers (Circus spp.), Black Storks (Ciconia nigra) and hundreds of White Storks (Ciconia ciconia). Unfortunately, resident bird populations, such as the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) and Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) and other species, have now been lost. The canals in the former wetland still maintain small populations of breeding birds, mainly Herons (Bubulcus ibis, Egretta garzeta, Ardeola ralloides, Nycticorax nycticorax), Black Winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and other aquatic birds.

Nevertheless, even given its enormous ecological significance, La Janda has not been declared a protected zone; nor have the competent authorities considered the possibility of a project to restore this unique and immensely valuable ecosystem.

The Janda lagoon complex was located on a tectonic depression which poured its waters originally Barbate, Almodovar, Celemin and other minor rivers.
A Lengthy history of failures and constructions and works of great cost
When the year was exceptionally rainy these rivers were overflowing and, given the limited capacity of drainage depression and impermeable clay background, much of the flooded tectonic depression forming a unique wetland of more than 50 km2 of shallow depth extension and mostly temporary, but in its deepest zone, "El Charco de los Ánsares" (the Geese's puddle), came to hold water all year and exceeded five meters deep.

As the dry season progressed the great wetland was breaking up in a string of lagoons of which the largest, with approximately 4,000 ha., was the Janda and its periphery were other minor known by the names of Rehuelga, Espartinas, Cabrahigos, Alcalá, Jandilla, El Torero, Tapatanilla and Tapatana-La Haba.

Despite the recognition and acknowledgement of the ecological and cultural value; the irrational enthusiasm of draining the wetlands by the Development Policy of the government of those times, also involved La Janda. After three successive frustrated attempts, which began in XIX Centaury, in the decade of 60 of XX Century, it finally was achieved and the total area of the Laguna (lagoon) was put into agriculture use.

After the procedure of the demarcation, (as all wetlands were, and still are of Public Domain), in November of 1946, due a Decree from the head of our Government (General F. Franco) the concession was allotted to the firm 'Marismas del Barbate S.A.' for the period of 99 years. This concession later was transferred by a Ministerial Law in 1945 to the firm, Colonias Agricolas S.A. Therefore this concession will automatically expire in November 2045, this would happen if they don't or can't justify legal reasons why they should not return this land to its original status.
A paradise for birds lacking legal protection
Although the firm that the concession was given to, did some more work of the canals and the drainage tunnel for the Laguna, this was not achieved or completed till 1967, until the State (Spanish Government) intervene and financed most of the work for the damns of the rivers, Almodovar, Celemin and Barbate to be constructed.

Despite this and the all works carried out for the enlargement of the subterranean tunnels for the drainage towards the River Barbate, the wetlands still reappears. Some years when there are heavy rain falls, the Laguna gets flooded for a few days and one can see the wonderful site of the its glorious past and the evidence for its viability for its recuperation, even, if it just a part of it. But only if the willingness exist to do so.

Seasonal freshwater, shallow and dense vegetation cover of wetlands in La Janda in conjuction with the nearby Barbate River tidal marshes formed a set of rich and varied ecosystems.

Its ecological interest is heightened by its strategic location: south of Spain, in the southern part of Europe and very close to the African continent, thus becoming a transit and forced break from the hundreds of thousands of birds each year make their migratory flights across the Strait Gibraltar.

In that distant and mythical Janda, in addition to actually migratory and resident birds, were present as breeders species like the Common crane (Grus grus), Crested Coot (Fulica cristata), bittern (Botaurus stellaris), the Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti), Great bustard (Otis tarda), Marsh owl (Asio capensis) or the Andalusian buttonquail (Turnix sylvaticus), currently very scarce or disappeared as breeders in the Iberian peinsula.

The importance of this wetland for birds was collected on different testimonies throughout history. The oldest are the paleolithic cave paintings found in numerous shelters and natural caves in the mountains surrounding La Janda which are recognizable representations of cranes, flamingos, bustards, geese, swans and avocets plus a range of other animals and human figures. During the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries numerous writers and travelers like Ponz, Agustin Orozco, Irby, Chapman, Buck and Verner captured in their writings the ornithological interest of these wetlands.

Today the area still has a great fondness for birds serving their rice fields and channels instead of breeding, wintering, feeding and resting on their migratory journeys for thousands of wetland birds, while the plains and hills that surround them are home ideal for large raptors and steppe birds.

-he ornithological importance of this area is so widely recog-

gnized. BirLife International has included La Janda in its list of Important Bird Areas (IBA) in Spain (Area No. 257). Despite this international recognition and threats that endanger the future of the wetlands today La Janda lack of legal protection.

The strategic situation of the lagoon, in between Europe and Africa, made it a significant meeting point not only for birds, but historically, for human beings having used it as a transit route between the two continents. The many existing studies prove a human population since the half of Paleolithic era in the neighborhood. Due to the abundance of its fresh water and the possibility in hunting the great variety and abundance of animals who went to the drinking water there.

The importance of this enclave, was manifested by the prehistoric men by the cave paintings manifested in shelters and natural caves in the surroundings. The most famous being the 'Tajo de las Figuras' very near the dam of the Celemin, in which you can recognize paintings representing Wolves, Wild goats, Swans, Cranes, Flamingoes, Ducks, Bustards, Avocets and many others, plus human figures. The whole prehistoric relics exist since a period which nearly lasted about 20.000 years. Apart from the paintings, it is frequent to find megalithic monuments. The most outstanding ones being the Dolmens and Menhir and other funeral structures.
The first school in Benalup (CasasViejas) was built in the early 30's of the last century with the straw of the bayonet grass (Scirpus maritimus), reaped from the laguna of Jandilla, this was the traditional way for the huts to be built by the inhabitants who in those days worked and lived in the vicinity.
The Battle of La Janda, the name with which the battle is known, according to the Arab historiography of the X and XI Century. It took place in the Iberian Peninsula on the 19th and 24th of July, year 711, near the River Guadalete, the outcome of which, was very decisive for the future of the Peninsula. In this war, the then King Rodrigo, was defeated and probably lost his life to the forces of the Califato Omeya under the command of Tariq ibn Ziyad.
Ecological Basis for Restoration of La Janda Wetlands (Cádiz, Spain)
In respect the ethnographic patrimony, one has to point out the traditional exploits and benefits, before the drainage took place, were the use from its natural and dense vegetation, sometime impenetrable. Mainly bulrush (Thypa latifolia), common club-rushes (Scirpus lacustris), bayonet grass (Scirpus maritimus); which at the beginning of Spring started to grow above the water. In July and August the crop was started to be reaped, the use of this being mainly for the manufacture of: seats for chairs, hampers, bags and other similar industries and for the thatching of roofs for the farms and huts of the area and beyond.

Ecological Basis for Restoration

PhD thesis Abstract

Author: Manuel Ángel Dueñas López
Director: Dr. José Manuel Recio Espejo

Cordoba University (Spain)

The restoration of ancient ecosystems presents a huge challenge for nature conservation researchers and organisations.

One of the initial problems we face is not knowing the precise physical factors which made them work so well before they were disturbed.

In the case of wetlands this implies detailed research on the sediments and their dates, the soils, the geomorphological conditioning factors and original maps.

The main aim of our work so far has been to identify which particular factors are the most important ones in the possible recuperation of the wetlands of La Janda.

The Laguna de la Janda used to be one of the biggest and most important wetlands in the Iberian Peninsula. This is not only because of its intrinsic characteristics but also for its relation with the other wetlands in Northern Europe and Southern Spain as well as the pre- and postnuptial migrations of the majority of birds of the entire Palearctic ecozone.

It is located in the catchment area of the river Barbate in a tectonic depression in the province of Cadiz near the Atlantic coast of the southernmost part of Spain.

It was dried out at the end of the 1960's, thus meeting the same fate as many other wetlands in Spain such as Antela in Orense and La Nava in Palencia.

In spite of the substantial drainage infrastructure put in place at the time, the occasional torrential downpours still cause floods which trace out the outlines of the ancient wetlands. These happenings open our eyes to the possibility of their partial recuperation in coexistence with agriculture.

One of the most interesting aspects of the research has come from studying the available records of the different phases of drainage. For example, there is precise data on the quantity and location of the aquatic vegetation which was mainly common club-rushes (Scirpus lacustris) and bayonet grass (Scirpus maritimus).

The mapping and its associated aerial photography done in 1956 and 1992 for the drainage allows us now to see the characteristics of the different wetlands as well their changes of use.

The La Janda wetlands were fed directly by the rivers Barbate and Almodovar. This vast area of marshes was made up of a mosaic of wet zones of which Rehuelga and Espartina lakes are remaining examples. Jandilla and El Torero lakes seemed to be formed simply also from this floodplain and Tapatanilla lake appears to be related to the Almodovar river. Its origin seems to be linked to a dissolving process of the underlying gypsum. This would explain the briny nature of the huge (3,700 hectare) marsh called "Charco de los Ansares" (geese´s puddle).

A series of modifications and actions has now been proposed for the whole area to re-establish its original condition; removal and diversion of canals and irrigation ditches, getting rid of canals and restoring old river courses, restoring dykes, preserving old community fisheries, etc.

In other areas such as the lakes in Alcala, La Haba and Cantarrana, limited amounts of conservation work should be enough to guarantee their health and natural functioning.

This initial study has definitely made a significant contribution to the knowledge of our wetlands in Spain and especially to our very few remaining wetlands on alluvial plains.

We hope it may allow us to reclaim a lost part of our national heritage.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
ASOCIACIÓN AMIGOS DE LA LAGUNA DE LA JANDA - LAGUNA JANDA ENGLISH WEB

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
THE LAGUNA OF LA JANDA The Laguna of La Janda was for many years the largest inland wetland in Spain and one of the most relevant in Europe. It was also the most important wetland from an ecological point of view, not least because it was used as a route by all migratory birds crossing the Straits of Gibraltar.

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Felipe from WWF Spain. Doñana National Park is one of our main protected wetland in Europe, and we are working her since the 60's to reduce the impact of the intnesive agriculture

# data[].attributes.body
UNESCO World Heritage Candidate

# data[].attributes.location_name
Vía sin nombre, 13250 Daimiel, Cdad. Real, España

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Rafa and I work for WWF. For more than 3 decades the Las Tablas de Daimiel wetland has been suffering from overexploitation of the aquifer that feeds it, resulting in very low water tables and progressive destruction of habitats. Although it is only a shadow of what it used to be, it is still today a place that worths a visit. from WWF we will keep fighiting for it :D

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Carlota, external consultant of WWF Spain working on wetland restoration in Mallorca.

# data[].attributes.body
Yolanda Cortés, Fundación Biodiversidad, LIFE Cerceta pardilla:
www.cerceta-pardilla.es/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
El pato más amenazado de Europa

La cerceta pardilla es una de las siete especies en situación crítica en España

Hasta mediados del siglo veinte, abundaba en los humedales costeros mediterráneos, especialmente en Doñana, pero su drástico declive en las últimas décadas la sitúa en riesgo inminente de extinción.

El número de parejas reproductoras en España, que es casi su único lugar de distribución en Europa, se situó en 2020 en 74 parejas y con una clara tendencia en regresión. La pérdida y degradación del hábitat es su mayor amenaza y hace peligrar la supervivencia de la especie. Los humedales sufren el impacto de la sequía, la contaminación, la proliferación de barreras artificiales y otras amenazas causadas por actividades humanas.

Tenemos el objetivo de mejorar el estado de conservación de más de 3.000 hectáreas de humedales para revertir el riesgo de extinción de la cerceta pardilla. Con el LIFE Cerceta Pardilla, España conservará no solo a uno de los patos más emblemáticos de nuestro país, sino también uno de los ecosistemas más importantes para la salud del planeta, que se cuenta entre nuestros principales aliados para luchar contra el cambio climático: los humedales.

Noticias

La especie

La cerceta pardilla es uno de los patos nidificantes más representativos de nuestro territorio. Se caracteriza por su pequeño tamaño, el entorno del ojo marcadamente oscuro, su plumaje moteado y una cresta o “coleta” que luce en la nuca, más visible en los machos.

Su población en Europa se concentra casi únicamente en zonas húmedas de nuestro país, como las marismas del Guadalquivir o El Hondo y las Salinas de Santa Pola, en el litoral mediterráneo. De hecho, las marismas y lagunas de Andalucía, Región de Murcia y Comunidad Valenciana son las zonas más importantes de toda Europa en las que habita este pequeño pato de antifaz.

La degradación y pérdida de humedales naturales, su hábitat, están amenazando su supervivencia y futuro

Vídeo

Acciones

Para tratar de revertir la dramática situación en la que se encuentran las poblaciones de cerceta pardilla y sus hábitats, hemos puesto en marcha acciones de investigación, conservación, gobernanza y sensibilización.



Llevaremos a cabo un programa de marcaje vía satélite para aumentar la información sobre la especie.



Compraremos fincas y estableceremos acuerdos de custodia con fincas privadas en zonas prioritarias para su conservación y se realizarán (en ellas) tareas de control de sus amenazas naturales y no naturales.



Impulsaremos la participación, formación y sensibilización de sectores relevantes e involucraremos a países del Magreb, donde la cerceta pardilla pasa periodos de su vida.



Desarrollaremos acciones de comunicación para dar difusión a los resultados del proyecto y promover el conocimiento de la especie.

Con el LIFE Cerceta Pardilla, España conservará no solo a uno de los patos más emblemáticos de nuestro país, en peligro de extinción, sino también uno de los ecosistemas más importantes para la salud del planeta, que se encuentra entre nuestros principales aliados para luchar contra el cambio climático: los humedales.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Tenemos el objetivo de mejorar el estado de conservación de más de 3.000 hectáreas de humedales para revertir el riesgo de extinción de la cerceta pardilla.

# data[].attributes.body
I am Maja, conservation manager at the Nature Park Vransko jezero, shallow brakish lake, very close to the sea, 264 bird species. The lake is under the pressure of partly intensive agriculture in the catchment witch influences the water quality and also climate change (temperature rise, percipitation decrease, sea water rise) which influences the hydrologic regime and salinization of the lake

# data[].attributes.location_name
M-608, 28410 Manzanares el Real, Madrid, España

# data[].attributes.headline
M-608, 28410 Manzanares el Real, Madrid, España

# data[].attributes.subject
M-608, 28410 Manzanares el Real, Madrid, España

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Jorge, and

# data[].attributes.location_name
Humedal Cerro de las Cigueñas, Los Palacios y Villafranca

# data[].attributes.headline
Humedal Cerro de las Cigueñas, Los Palacios y Villafranca

# data[].attributes.subject
Humedal Cerro de las Cigueñas, Los Palacios y Villafranca