Alvão Natural Park: Difference between revisions
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{{Geobox|Protected Area |
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{{Infobox protected area |
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<!-- *** Heading *** --> |
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| name = Alvão Natural Park |
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| name = Alvão Nature Park |
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| alt_name = ''Parque Natural do Alvão'' |
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| native_name = Parque Natural do Alvão |
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| iucn_category = |
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| other_name = |
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| photo = Fisgas de Ermelo 2.JPG |
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| category = [[Nature park]] |
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| photo_caption = As Fisgas de Ermelo no Parque Natural do Alvão |
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| native_category = Parque Natural |
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| photo_width = 200 |
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<!-- *** Names **** --> |
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| map = |
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| etymology = Serra do Alvão |
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| map_caption = |
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| etymology_type = Named for |
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| map_width = |
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| official_name = Parque Natural do Alvão |
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| location = [[Mondim de Basto]] e [[Vila Real, Portugal]] |
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| motto = |
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| nearest_city = |
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| nickname = Alvão/PNAL |
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| lat_d = |
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<!-- *** Image *** --> |
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| lat_m = |
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| image = Fisgas de Ermelo 2.JPG |
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| lat_s = |
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| image_caption = The ''Fisgas de Ermelo'' situated within the Nature Park of Alvão |
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| lat_NS = |
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| image_size = 235 |
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| long_d = |
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<!-- *** Symbols *** --> |
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| long_m = |
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| flag = |
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| long_s = |
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| symbol = |
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| long_EW = |
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<!-- *** Country *** --> |
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| coords_ref = |
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| country = {{flag|Portugal}} |
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| region = |
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| state = [[Norte Region, Portugal|Norte]] |
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| area = 7220 [[Hectare|ha]] |
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| state_type = Region |
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| established = 8 Junho 1983 |
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| region_type = Subregion |
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| visitation_num = |
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| region = [[Douro Subregion|Douro]] |
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| visitation_year = |
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| region1 = [[Tâmega Subregion|Tâmega]] |
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| governing_body = |
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| district = [[Vila Real (district)|Vila Real]] |
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| world_heritage_site = |
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| municipality = [[Mondim de Basto]] |
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| url = |
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| municipality1 = [[Vila Real, Portugal]] |
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<!-- *** Family *** --> |
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| city = Ermelo |
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| city1 = Fervença |
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| city2 = Barreiro |
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| city3 = Lamas do Olo |
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| landmark = Fisgas de Ermelo |
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| river = Rio Olo |
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| river1 = Rio Sião |
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| river2 = Ribeira do Arnal |
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| river3 = Ribeira Fervença |
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| river4 = Ribeira de Vale Longo |
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| lake = |
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| mountain = Serra de Alvão |
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<!-- *** Locations *** --> |
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| location = Parque Natural do Alvão |
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| elevation = 381 |
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| prominence = |
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| lat_d = 41 |
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| lat_m = 43 |
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| lat_s = 49.22 |
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| lat_NS = N |
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| long_d = 8 |
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| long_m = 9 |
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| long_s = 42.05 |
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| long_EW = W |
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| highest = <nowiki>Alto do Fojo</nowiki> |
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| highest_location = Serra de Alvão |
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| highest_region = [[Vila Marim]] |
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| highest_country = [[Vila Real, Portugal|Vila Real]] |
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| highest_elevation = 1280 |
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| highest_lat_d = 41 |
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| highest_lat_m = 20 |
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| highest_lat_s = 22.35 |
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| highest_lat_NS = N |
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| highest_long_d = 7 |
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| highest_long_m = 50 |
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| highest_long_s = 7.65 |
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| highest_long_EW = W |
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| lowest = |
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| lowest_location = |
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| lowest_region = [[Ermelo]] |
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| lowest_country = [[Modim de Basto]] |
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| lowest_elevation = 306 |
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| lowest_lat_d = 41 |
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| lowest_lat_m = 21 |
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| lowest_lat_s = 12.36 |
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| lowest_lat_NS = N |
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| lowest_long_d = 7 |
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| lowest_long_m = 54 |
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| lowest_long_s = 14.48 |
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| lowest_long_EW = W |
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<!-- *** Dimensions *** --> |
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| length = |
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| length_orientation = Northwest-Southeast |
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| width = |
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| width_orientation = Southwest-Southeast |
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| area = 72.2 |
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<!-- *** Features *** --> |
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| geology = [[Schist]] |
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| geology1 = [[Quartzites]] |
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| geology2 = [[Phyllite]] |
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| orogeny = [[Variscan orogeny|Varsican]] |
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| period = Silurian |
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| period1 = Devonian |
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| biome = Euro-Siberian |
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| biome1 = Mediterranean |
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| plant = |
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| animal = |
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<!-- *** History & management *** --> |
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| established = Decree Law 237/83 |
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| date = 8 Junho 1983 |
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| management = Parque Natural do Alvão Headquarters |
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| management_location = Avenida António Macedo |
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| management_region = [[Sé (Braga)|Sé]] |
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| management_country = [[Braga Municipality|Braga]] |
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| management_elevation = |
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| management_lat_d = |
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| management_lat_m = |
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| management_lat_s = |
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| management_lat_NS = N |
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| management_long_d = |
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| management_long_m = |
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| management_long_s = |
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| management_long_EW = W |
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| owner = [[Portugal|Portuguese Republic]] |
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| leader = |
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<!-- *** Access *** --> |
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| public = Public |
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| visitation = |
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| visitation_date = |
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| access = |
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<!-- *** UNESCO etc. *** --> |
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| whs_name = |
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| whs_year = |
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| whs_number = |
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| whs_region = |
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| whs_criteria = |
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| category_iucn = |
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<!-- *** Free fields *** --> |
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| free = |
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| free_type = |
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<!-- *** Maps *** --> |
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| map = |
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| map_caption = Location of the Alvão Nature Park within continental Portugal |
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| map_size = 235 |
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| map_background = |
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| map_locator = |
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| map_locator_x = |
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| map_locator_y = |
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<!-- *** Website *** --> |
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| commons = Parque Natural do Alvão |
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| website = {{url|http://www.icnf.pt/portal/ap/p-nat/pnal|Parque Natural do Alvão}} |
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<!-- *** Footnotes *** --> |
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| footnotes = |
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}} |
}} |
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The ''' |
The '''Nature Park of Alvão''' ({{lang-pt|Parque Natural do Alvão}}) is a [[protected area]] founded in 1983, and located in the [[Concelho|municipalities]] of [[Mondim de Basto]] and [[Vila Real Municipality|Vila Real]], in the [[Tâmega Subregion|Tâmega]] and [[Douro Subregion]]s of [[Norte Region, Portugal|northern]] [[Portugal]]. Although the smallest of Portugal's nature parks, it extends through {{convert|72.2|km2|mi2}} of mountainous land, populated by approximately 700 locals. <ref>{{Cite web|title = Parque Natural do Alvão {{!}} Trás-os-Montes Guide|url = http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/europe/portugal/tr%C3%A1s-os-montes/parque-natural-alv%C3%A3o/|website = Rough Guides|accessdate = 2015-10-01}}</ref> |
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<center><gallery> |
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File:Parque Natural do Alvão 12.JPG|Alvão Natural Park |
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File:Parque Natural do Alvão 4.JPG|Alvão Natural Park |
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File:A noite cai sobre o Alvão.JPG|Night in the Alvão Natural Park |
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</gallery></center> |
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==External links== |
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*[http://portal.icnb.pt/ICNPortal/vPT2007-AP-Alvao Alvão Natural Park] at the [[Institute for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity|ICNB]] website {{pt icon}} |
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==History== |
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== {{coord|41.3698|N|7.81768|W|source:kolossus-frwiki|display=title}}References == |
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The nature park was create by decree law 237/83, on 8 June 1983. In the preamble of the legal document the area was first known as Figas de Ermelo, and was situated in the larger Serra do Alvão region, and was recognized for its natural and rare landscapes. |
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<references /> |
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==Geography== |
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[[File:A noite cai sobre o Alvão.JPG|235px|left|thumb|The Serra do Alvão at sunset]] |
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[[File:Parque Natural do Alvão 4.JPG|235px|thumb|left|A view of the open pastureland of the Upper Alvão]] |
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[[File:Parque Natural do Alvão 12.JPG|235px|thumb|left|The rocky margins of the Olo River in the Basal Zone in the nature park]] |
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The Nature Park is located in the north Portugal, in the district of Vila Real, in parts of the municipalities of Vila Real and Mondim de Basto, occupying an areas of 7220 hectares or {{convert|72.2|km2|mi2}}. |
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===Physical geography=== |
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The Serra do Alvão fronted Marão, an area of [[Silurian]] schist geomorphology with important geological interest and varied landscape, marked by waterfall along the River Olo at Fisgas de Ermelo.<ref name="ICNF1">{{citation |publisher=Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas |url=http://www.icnf.pt/portal/ap/p-nat/pnal/geo |editor=ICNF |year=2016 |language=Portuguese |location=Lisbon, Portugal |title=Geologia, Hidrologia e Clima}}</ref> At this location are quartzite deposits of the lower [[Ordovician]] period in bunks oriented towards the southwest. At a height of {{convert|800|m|ft}} above sea level, the slope along the Olo descends through many waterfalls some {{convert|250|m|ft}} drops, along a curso of {{convert|1500|m|ft}}.<ref name=ICNF1/> The area is also marked by an [[Andalusite]] fault in the peak of Cravelas, in the area of Muas, a granite vein that culminates in the granite "cathedral" of Arnal, alongside the watermill of Galegos da Serra.<ref name=ICNF1/> Alvão, is essentially a granite massif, that culminates in the Alto das Caravelas, the highest peak of a rocky escarpment that overlooks the valleys of Corgo and Cabril.<ref name=ICNF1/> |
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Geomorphologically, the nature park is characterized by a upper zone, with large granite watershed, where the Olo River and its affluents spring, and a lower zone of schist (around Ermelo), where the river is forced through a narrow channel of relief.<ref name=ICNF1/> |
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* Upper Zone, situated in the area of Lamas de Olo, Agarez and Arnal, marked by biotitic granite and post-tectonic structures, that includes rounded ball-like granite, forming a wild landscape.<ref name=ICNF1/> OVer this morphological aspect are contrasts: plains exist in the area, as well as accented relief, such as the dominant wall of granite in the village of Arnal, referred to as the ''Catedral Granítica'' (''Granite Cathedral'').<ref name=ICNF1/> There is also an area of mid-tectonic granite, that contrasts with the earlier area, which is more granular and linear in the area of Lamas de Olo<ref name=ICNF1/>; |
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* Basal Zone, divided into two areas: in the area of Ermelo, Fervença and Barreiro, composed of metamorphic cliffs and deep, narrow valleys (specifically in the area of Ermelo and Varzigueto), requiring farmers to terrace their fields; and in the area of Varzigueto and Fisgas, composed of Phyllite and Quartzite forming the {{convert|300|m|ft}} amphitheatre-like Fisgas do Ermelo, against the rocky prominence of Alto do Fojo, forming a waterfall in Fisgas de Ermelo.<ref name=ICNF1/> |
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The diverse watershed is dominated by the Olo River, springing from a height of {{convert|1280|m|ft}} in the northeast of the park, that includes a group of affluents and subaffluents that merge with the [[Tâmega River|River Tâmega]].<ref name=ICNF1/> Of most significance are the Fervença ravine and Sião River, situated on the left bank of the Olo.<ref name=ICNF1/> The Sião is an important source of potable water for the settlement of Ermelo across kilometres of levadas, as is the ravine of Vale Longo (situated on the right bank of the Olo).<ref name=ICNF1/> |
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===Biome=== |
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Oak trees dominate the major elevated areas, especially along the banks of the river, along with species of Common hazel (''[[Corylus avellana]]''), holly (''[[Ilex aquifolium]]''), chestnut and laurel forming mixed forests, that include rare plants such as Sundew (''[[Drosera rotundifolia]]''), a species of carnivorous plants found in the moist lands along the riverfront.<ref name=ICNF1/> |
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The Olo River is rich in trout and is populated by the [[Eurasian otter]] (''Lutra lutra'').<ref name=ICNF1/> |
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Throughout the region, bird populations are diverse and include nesting pairs of [[Golden eagle]]s.<ref name=ICNF1/> Mammal populations are marked by the presence of [[Wild boar]] (''Sus scrofa''), Roe deer (''Capreolus capreolus''), [[European badger]] (''Meles meles''), [[Granada hare]] (''Lepus granatensis'') and [[European rabbit]] (''Oryctolagus cuniculus'').<ref name=ICNF1/> |
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Among reptiles in the area are the [[Iberian emerald lizard]] (''Lacerta schreiberi'') and the Latastei viper (''[[Vipera latastei]]'').<ref name=ICNF1/> |
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==Climate== |
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The area within the park is influenced by a temperate Atlantic climate, that is characteristically Mediterranean.<ref name=ICNF1/> It is fundamentally installed in the headlands of the Rio Olo, that runs from the east to the west, in the direction of the Tâmega River, influenced by the maritime air masses and headlands of the eastern border.<ref name=ICNF1/> This location contributed to the elevated precipitation during the winter months.<ref name=ICNF1/> These winters are cold with excessive rainfall, punctuated by snow in the higher altitudes, while the summer months are very dry and hot.<ref name=ICNF1/> The variable elevation within the park, along with the morphology and forest cover, results in a diverse micro-climate, with notable differences between the highlands and lowlands.<ref name=ICNF1/> |
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==Human geography== |
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No less important to the region is the traditional architecture of the nature park region, especially in Ermelo and Lamas de Olo, defined as a distinct mountain style influenced by the sociological and artesanal nature of the landscape, or in Fervença, influenced by agrarian necessity along a terraced landscape.<ref name=ICNF1/> |
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==References== |
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===Notes=== |
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{{Reflist|30em}} |
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===Sources=== |
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{{Protected areas of Portugal}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Alvao Natural Park}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alvao Natural Park}} |
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[[Category:Nature parks in Portugal]] |
[[Category:Nature parks in Portugal]] |
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[[Category:Visitor attractions in Vila Real District]] |
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Vila Real District]] |
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[[Category:Vila Real, Portugal]] |
[[Category:Vila Real, Portugal]] |
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{{Protected areas of Portugal}} |
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{{VilaReal-geo-stub}} |
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{{Europe-protected-area-stub}} |
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Revision as of 13:14, 22 August 2016
Template:Geobox The Nature Park of Alvão (Portuguese: Parque Natural do Alvão) is a protected area founded in 1983, and located in the municipalities of Mondim de Basto and Vila Real, in the Tâmega and Douro Subregions of northern Portugal. Although the smallest of Portugal's nature parks, it extends through 72.2 square kilometres (27.9 sq mi) of mountainous land, populated by approximately 700 locals. [1]
History
The nature park was create by decree law 237/83, on 8 June 1983. In the preamble of the legal document the area was first known as Figas de Ermelo, and was situated in the larger Serra do Alvão region, and was recognized for its natural and rare landscapes.
Geography
The Nature Park is located in the north Portugal, in the district of Vila Real, in parts of the municipalities of Vila Real and Mondim de Basto, occupying an areas of 7220 hectares or 72.2 square kilometres (27.9 sq mi).
Physical geography
The Serra do Alvão fronted Marão, an area of Silurian schist geomorphology with important geological interest and varied landscape, marked by waterfall along the River Olo at Fisgas de Ermelo.[2] At this location are quartzite deposits of the lower Ordovician period in bunks oriented towards the southwest. At a height of 800 metres (2,600 ft) above sea level, the slope along the Olo descends through many waterfalls some 250 metres (820 ft) drops, along a curso of 1,500 metres (4,900 ft).[2] The area is also marked by an Andalusite fault in the peak of Cravelas, in the area of Muas, a granite vein that culminates in the granite "cathedral" of Arnal, alongside the watermill of Galegos da Serra.[2] Alvão, is essentially a granite massif, that culminates in the Alto das Caravelas, the highest peak of a rocky escarpment that overlooks the valleys of Corgo and Cabril.[2]
Geomorphologically, the nature park is characterized by a upper zone, with large granite watershed, where the Olo River and its affluents spring, and a lower zone of schist (around Ermelo), where the river is forced through a narrow channel of relief.[2]
- Upper Zone, situated in the area of Lamas de Olo, Agarez and Arnal, marked by biotitic granite and post-tectonic structures, that includes rounded ball-like granite, forming a wild landscape.[2] OVer this morphological aspect are contrasts: plains exist in the area, as well as accented relief, such as the dominant wall of granite in the village of Arnal, referred to as the Catedral Granítica (Granite Cathedral).[2] There is also an area of mid-tectonic granite, that contrasts with the earlier area, which is more granular and linear in the area of Lamas de Olo[2];
- Basal Zone, divided into two areas: in the area of Ermelo, Fervença and Barreiro, composed of metamorphic cliffs and deep, narrow valleys (specifically in the area of Ermelo and Varzigueto), requiring farmers to terrace their fields; and in the area of Varzigueto and Fisgas, composed of Phyllite and Quartzite forming the 300 metres (980 ft) amphitheatre-like Fisgas do Ermelo, against the rocky prominence of Alto do Fojo, forming a waterfall in Fisgas de Ermelo.[2]
The diverse watershed is dominated by the Olo River, springing from a height of 1,280 metres (4,200 ft) in the northeast of the park, that includes a group of affluents and subaffluents that merge with the River Tâmega.[2] Of most significance are the Fervença ravine and Sião River, situated on the left bank of the Olo.[2] The Sião is an important source of potable water for the settlement of Ermelo across kilometres of levadas, as is the ravine of Vale Longo (situated on the right bank of the Olo).[2]
Biome
Oak trees dominate the major elevated areas, especially along the banks of the river, along with species of Common hazel (Corylus avellana), holly (Ilex aquifolium), chestnut and laurel forming mixed forests, that include rare plants such as Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), a species of carnivorous plants found in the moist lands along the riverfront.[2]
The Olo River is rich in trout and is populated by the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra).[2]
Throughout the region, bird populations are diverse and include nesting pairs of Golden eagles.[2] Mammal populations are marked by the presence of Wild boar (Sus scrofa), Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), European badger (Meles meles), Granada hare (Lepus granatensis) and European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).[2]
Among reptiles in the area are the Iberian emerald lizard (Lacerta schreiberi) and the Latastei viper (Vipera latastei).[2]
Climate
The area within the park is influenced by a temperate Atlantic climate, that is characteristically Mediterranean.[2] It is fundamentally installed in the headlands of the Rio Olo, that runs from the east to the west, in the direction of the Tâmega River, influenced by the maritime air masses and headlands of the eastern border.[2] This location contributed to the elevated precipitation during the winter months.[2] These winters are cold with excessive rainfall, punctuated by snow in the higher altitudes, while the summer months are very dry and hot.[2] The variable elevation within the park, along with the morphology and forest cover, results in a diverse micro-climate, with notable differences between the highlands and lowlands.[2]
Human geography
No less important to the region is the traditional architecture of the nature park region, especially in Ermelo and Lamas de Olo, defined as a distinct mountain style influenced by the sociological and artesanal nature of the landscape, or in Fervença, influenced by agrarian necessity along a terraced landscape.[2]