Comprehensive Mapping and Geographic Context for Biosphere Reserves Located Throughout Spain

La Siberia

A study of reservoir coastlines and Mediterranean serranías

La Siberia Biosphere Reserve offers a deep look into the rural landscape of Extremadura, Spain. Characterized by five major reservoirs and vast Mediterranean oak dehesas, the area provides essential habitat for raptors and preserves significant prehistoric rock art within its complex serranía topography. Explore the geographic boundaries and water-dominated landscape of this distinct inland region.

Reserva de la biosfera de Urdaibai

Mapping wetlands, forests, and cliffs in the Basque Country

Explore the complex terrain of Reserva de la biosfera de Urdaibai, spanning the tidal Oka estuary to the peaks of Mount Oiz. This protected landscape is defined by its vast saltmarshes, Cantabrian oak forests, and dramatic coastal cliffs that anchor the natural geography of the Basque Country.

Tierras del Ebro

A regional atlas of river deltas and mountain massifs

Tierras del Ebro provides a comprehensive look at the environmental variety found in southern Catalonia. From the sediment-rich Ebro Delta to the jagged limestone cliffs of the Ports de Tortosa-Beseit, this region showcases a dramatic transition between riverine plains and Mediterranean mountain terrain within a single protected framework.

Reserva de la biosfera de las Mariñas Coruñesas y Tierras del Mandeo

A diverse protected area across Galicia, Spain

This biosphere reserve serves as a vital ecological refuge along the Cantabrian-Atlantic coast. The protected area features a unique mosaic of marine and terrestrial habitats, ranging from rocky coastal cliffs and sandy estuaries to dense Atlantic forest fragments and the mountainous interior of the Sierra de la Cova da Serpe.

Sierra del Rincón

Transitional mountain terrain in the Sierra Norte region of Madrid

Sierra del Rincón provides a unique study of ecological compression, where Atlantic-flavored beech groves meet Mediterranean oak and highland shrublands. This protected mountain territory in Madrid integrates rich forest habitats with traditional agro-silvopastoral village life, making it a critical reference for understanding the transitional geography of the Iberian Central System.

Reserva de la biosfera de las Tierras del Miño

Extensive riverine forests and wetland networks in northwestern Spain

Explore the expansive territory of Reserva de la biosfera de las Tierras del Miño, spanning a large portion of the Galician interior. This protected area features a mosaic of wetlands, riparian corridors, and mountainous terrain, offering a deep look into the ecological and cultural geography of the upper Miño river basin.

Área de Allariz

Exploring the river basins, granitic massifs, and ecological frontiers

The Área de Allariz biosphere reserve serves as a vital transition zone in northwestern Spain, characterized by its flat-floored tectonic basin, the River Limia, and varied highland terrain. This protected area offers an instructive look at the integration of traditional rural land management with large-scale ecological recovery and conservation across its core, buffer, and transition zones.

Reserva de la biosfera de Los Ancares Lucenses y Montes de Cervantes, Navia y Becerreá

Mountainous terrain and river valley geography in Lugo, Spain

This protected area covers the dramatic Sierra de Ancares, featuring steep mountain slopes and deep river valleys that define the geography of Galicia. The reserve spans a significant vertical relief, providing essential habitats for brown bears and capercaillie while preserving traditional rural mountain land use systems and ancient forest ecosystems.

Valles del Jubera, Leza, Cidacos y Alhama

A biosphere reserve featuring limestone gorges and dinosaur fossil sites

Valles del Jubera, Leza, Cidacos y Alhama forms a distinct mid-mountain region in northern Spain where four river valleys have carved deep passages into the earth. The area serves as a vital protected landscape containing rich paleontological history, thermal springs, and traditional Mediterranean forests. This atlas entry details the natural boundaries and geographic character of one of Spain's significant biosphere reserves.

Reserva de la biosfera de los Ancares Leoneses

Mapping the Sierra de Ancares river valleys in Provincia de León

Examine the geographic layout and protected boundaries of the Reserva de la biosfera de los Ancares Leoneses. This biosphere reserve serves as a critical mountain corridor, featuring complex river basins and diverse forest cover that highlight the region's environmental and cultural history across the Spanish highlands.