Fragas do Eume

Fragas do Eume Natural Park
Fragas do Eume
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Location Galicia (Spain)
Established 1997
Governing body Xunta de Galicia

The Fragas do Eume is a natural park situated in north-west Spain. Fraga is a Galician word for "natural woodland",[1] (old-growth forest) and the park is an example of a temperate rainforest in which oak (Quercus robur and Quercus pyrenaica) is the climax vegetation. The protected area extends along the valley of the river Eume within the Ferrolterra municipalities of Pontedeume, Cabanas, A Capela, Monfero, Pontedeume, and As Pontes de García Rodríguez. Some 500 people reside within the park. The monastery of Saint John of Caaveiro also lies within the park.

The area was declared a natural park (a level of protection lower than national park) in 1997. It is one of six natural parks in Galicia. The European Union has recognised the park as a Site of Community Importance. There are a number of species of ferns. Invertebrate species include the Kerry slug and it is an important site for amphibians.[2]

Environmental Disaster

On March 31, 2012 a fire destroyed the heart of the park. At the beginning of the disaster was estimated within the 1000 hectares burned. The work of extinguishing the fire took 3 days. On Tuesday April, 3rd, the fire was controlled. [3]

Notes

  1. The meaning of the word in Castilian is somewhat different.
  2. ES1110003, Natura 2000 listing
  3. Permanece activo el incendio de las Fragas do Eume tras arrasar 750 hectáreas (Spanish)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Natural Park of Fragas do Eume.

Coordinates: 43°25′03″N 08°04′06″W / 43.41750°N 8.06833°W