Information adapted from UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Directory

General Description The geographical situation of this biosphere reserve near the Mediterranean and Atlantic coast (Gibraltar strait), and the altitudes of its mountains provoke the Mediterranean humid climate in Sierra de las Nieves. It consists of a great limestone mountainous landscape presenting rocks and lithologies belonging to the Betica Mountain Range. The altitudes of the reserve range between 100 meters above the sea level near the Mediterranean coast and 1,919 meters above sea level, in the Torrecilla peak. It comprises various botanic endemism and flower formations as the 'Spanish fir' (Abies pinsapo), a species of relict fir tree from glacial periods, and the 'Lusitanian oak (Quercus faginea alpestris), a subspecies adapted to the extreme high altitudes climatic conditions. Animal species as the wild goat (Capra pyrenaica hispanica), the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and the river otter (Lutra lutra) are also found. Given these exceptional natural values the site is protected under the declarations of a National Hunting Reserve and a Natural Park. Ten municipalities of the biosphere reserve were associated in the Township association of Sierra de las Nieves to design and implement the sustainable development plan project. More than 55,165 inhabitants (1995) live in the biosphere reserve, engaged in agriculture, conservation and improvement of natural and cultural heritage and development of indigenous products and services. Renowned for its natural and cultural values, the sites receives 265,000 visitors each year

Major ecosystem type Evergreen sclerophyllous forests, woodlands or scrub

Major habitats & land cover types Sclerophyllous oak (Quercus sp.) woodlands, in lower areas composed of Quercus rotundifolia and cork oak (Q. suber); Abies pinsapo forests; shrublands ("matorrales") of Juniperus communis and J. sabina; riparian vegetation along rivers characterized by shrublands of Prunus ulmifolius and stands of poplar (Populus alba) and willow (Salix sp.); shrublands ("matorrales") of pistachio (Pistacia lentiscus)

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