Site Autárquico Loulé

The Ria Formosa Nature Park

The Ria Formosa's environmental, scenic, economic and cultural importance is undeniable.

 

The Ria Formosa Nature Park (RFNP) is the biggest and most important wetland in the Algarve. It lies between Ancão, in the municipality of Loulé, and Manta Rota, in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António.  Stretching along 60 kilometres of coastline, it covers an area of 18,400 hectares, 893 of which belong to the municipality of Loulé. Most of this protected area corresponds to the Ria Formosa lagoon system, a line of sandy islands and peninsulas that runs parallel to the coast, thereby protecting a lagoon where a labyrinth of marshes, canals, mudflats and islets has developed.

 

It is a hugely important area, since it shelters a huge variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats.

 

The Ria provides shelter and food for aquatic lifeforms, including resident and migratory species of fish, and is a prime habitat for molluscs and crustaceans, especially as an area for breeding and feeding. Two species particularly worthy of mention that can be found here are: the chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon), which is threatened and, in Portugal, is only found along the coast of the eastern Algarve, in the coastal pine forests and on the barrier islands; and the purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio), the symbol of the RFNP, which has been growing in numbers in recent years, partly because of increasing protection but also because it has been the focus of studies.

 

As far as birdlife is concerned, this area is considered to be of great importance both nationally and internationally. The Ria Formosa shelters many migrating birds from northern and central Europe, as well as being a nesting site for many different species. 

 

Apart from its status as a nature park, the region is also protected by other Portuguese and international mechanisms: Special Protection Area for Birds (PTZPE0017), Site of Community Importance (PTCON0013), and Ramsar Site (7PT002). This is partly due to the considerable ornithological value of this space, which provides refuge and serves as a nesting area for dozens of species. Noteworthy for their conservation status are the red-crested pochard (Netta rufina) and the purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio).

 

Where the flora is concerned, one of the highlights is the dune vegetation, consisting of plants that are able to survive in the sand in difficult conditions, including Ammophila arenaria (European beachgrass) and Otanthus maritimus (cottonweed). Also worthy of note are the plants that grow in the marshes. This is one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, where the plants are unique because of their capacity to survive in a saline environment. For example, "meadows" of small cordgrass (Spartina maritima) can be found here.

 

The Ria also plays a very important economic and cultural role, both for tourism and for the gathering and farming of molluscs, bivalves and shellfish, fishing, fish farming and salt production.

 

Two Nature Trails have been created in the part of the Ria Formosa Nature Park that belongs to the municipality of Loulé, the aim being to encourage people to become acquainted with this important protected area. The São Lourenço Nature Trail and the Quinta do Lago Nature Trail give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the full splendour of the landscape and observe the vast biodiversity of the area.

 

 Find out about the other Protected Areas in the municipality of Loulé too: Natura 2,000 Network, Rocha da Pena Protected Local Landscape and Fonte Benémola Protected Local Landscape.