A guide to the geography and wildlife of Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici
Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici is the only National Park in Catalonia.
5/08/2006 Left: One of the 272 lakes and tarns in Aigüestortes, the greatest concentration in the Peninsula. To the right, the largest lake; the partially-dammed Estany de St Maurici surrounded by mountain pine, and the twin peaks of Els Encantats. Enjoyed watching a family of marmots slothing in the sun but missed the chamois, hidden from holiday throngs. Aiguestortes means "twisted waters" in Catalan in reference to the riot of streams, torrents and lakes. Pyrenean brook salamander in faster waters and stiller ones with tadpoles of common frog (Rana temporaria)
 
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Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici (Information adapted from UN World Database on Protected Areas (UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre)
Physical Features The sub soil, formed of granite and slate, dates back to the Primary Era (Upper and Middle Devonian). Glacial terrain of Quaternary origin. There are as many as 200 lakes, all of glacial origin. There are also numerous rivers, brooks and waterfalls. The climate is alpine with a mean annual rainfall of 900 to 1,300mm, according to the altitude (1,500-3,014m).
Vegetation Characterized by woodlands. At lower and middle altitudes, silver fir Abies alba, is predominant and above this black mountain pine Pinus uncinata. The Scots pine Pinus silvestris grows in association with silver fir in lower shaded areas along with beech Fagus sylvatica, in the best areas of the lower zone. Birch Betula alba is abundant next to rivers and brooks. Other species include hazel Corulis avellana, ash Fraxinus excelsior, yew Taxus bacca, aspen Populus tremula, willow G. Salix and maple G. Acer. In the lower strata especially, thickets of box Buxus sempervivens, are found and many flowers which makes the park very colourful.
Fauna Large mammals include wild boar Sus scrofa and chamois. Small mammals include edible dormouse Glis glis, Eurasian red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris, and mustelidae such as pine marten Martes martes, and ermine Mustela arminea. Among the avifauna, the golden eagle Aquila chrysaetus, is predominant in the high crags. The capercaille Tetrao urogallus, and the ptarmigan Lagopus mutus, are found in the woods. The rivers are inhabited by the common trout Salmo trutta.
Management Constraints Problems exist because of the large number of hydro-electric schemes in the park's lakes and lack of administration as well as adequate installations to receive visitors. Access to the western sector of the park is very difficult. |
Aigüestortes climate
Aigüestortes geography
Aigüestortes nature
Aigüestortes wildlife
Environment of Aigüestortes
Geography of Aigüestortes
Climate of Aigüestortes
Natural history of Aigüestortes
Mountains of Aigüestortes
Relief of Aigüestortes
Mountains of Aigüestortes
Rivers of Aigüestortes
Temperatures of Aigüestortes
Aigüestortes birding
Rainfall of Aigüestortes
Birds in Aigüestortes
Environmental issues in Aigüestortes
Aigüestortes landscape paintings
Highest mountains in Aigüestortes
population in Aigüestortes
population density in Aigüestortes
birdwatching in Aigüestortes
birding in Aigüestortes
wildlife protection in Aigüestortes
hunting in Aigüestortes
countryside in Aigüestortes
trees in Aigüestortes
flowers in Aigüestortes
ecology in Aigüestortes
conservation issues in Aigüestortes
organic farming in Aigüestortes
photos of wildlife in Aigüestortes
national parks in Aigüestortes, natural parks in Aigüestortes, biosphere reserves in Aigüestortes, nature reserves in Aigüestortes, reserves in Aigüestortes,
native fauna in Aigüestortes, birdlife in Aigüestortes, wildlife tourism in Aigüestortes,
wildlife photography in Aigüestortes, bird photography in Aigüestortes, nature photography in Aigüestortes, photos of birds in Aigüestortes
temperatures in Aigüestortes in January - temperatures in Aigüestortes in February - temperatures in Aigüestortes in March - temperatures in Aigüestortes in April - temperatures in Aigüestortes in May - temperatures in Aigüestortes in June temperatures in Aigüestortes _ temperatures in Aigüestortes in July - temperatures in Aigüestortes in August - temperatures in Aigüestortes in September - temperatures in Aigüestortes in October - temperatures in Aigüestortes in November - temperatures in Aigüestortes in December
temperature in Aigüestortes in January - temperature in Aigüestortes in February - temperature in Aigüestortes in March - temperature in Aigüestortes in April - temperature in Aigüestortes in May - temperature in Aigüestortes in June temperature in Aigüestortes _ temperature in Aigüestortes in July - temperature in Aigüestortes in August - temperature in Aigüestortes in September - temperature in Aigüestortes in October - temperature in Aigüestortes in November - temperature in Aigüestortes in December
rainfall in Aigüestortes in January - rainfall in Aigüestortes in February - rainfall in Aigüestortes in March - rainfall in Aigüestortes in April - rainfall in Aigüestortes in May - rainfall in Aigüestortes in June rainfall in Aigüestortes _ rainfall in Aigüestortes in July - rainfall in Aigüestortes in August - rainfall in Aigüestortes in September - rainfall in Aigüestortes in October - rainfall in Aigüestortes in November - rainfall in Aigüestortes in December
precipitation in Aigüestortes in January - precipitation in Aigüestortes in February - precipitation in Aigüestortes in March - precipitation in Aigüestortes in April - precipitation in Aigüestortes in May - precipitation in Aigüestortes in June precipitation in Aigüestortes _ precipitation in Aigüestortes in July - precipitation in Aigüestortes in August - precipitation in Aigüestortes in September - precipitation in Aigüestortes in October - precipitation in Aigüestortes in November - precipitation in Aigüestortes in December
climate in Aigüestortes in January - climate in Aigüestortes in February - climate in Aigüestortes in March - climate in Aigüestortes in April - climate in Aigüestortes in May - climate in Aigüestortes in June climate in Aigüestortes _ climate in Aigüestortes in July - climate in Aigüestortes in August - climate in Aigüestortes in September - climate in Aigüestortes in October - climate in Aigüestortes in November - climate in Aigüestortes in December
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