CORE ZONES
The core zone of the Reserve covers 6,508.5 hectares, 5.6% of the total area, and is entirely located in terrestrial territory. This space stands out for its ecological richness and biodiversity, being essential for the conservation of natural and semi-natural ecosystems.
The zone includes priority habitats of the Natura 2000 Network, such as coastal areas, rivers, forests, and wetlands, which occupy around 73% of its surface. In particular, coastal ecosystems, river valleys, and mountain areas with dry scrublands and wetlands of high ecological value stand out.
Key protected spaces include:
- ZEC Betanzos-Mandeo: estuary of the Mandeo and Lambre rivers, with marsh habitats and riparian forests.
- ZEC Abegondo-Cecebre Reservoir: hygrophilous forests and river corridors in good conservation status.
- ZEC Costa de Dexo and Costa da Morte: coastal areas with dune ecosystems and highly valuable coastal wetlands.
The core zone also includes semi-natural habitats related to agricultural activity, promoting biodiversity conservation.
Additionally, part of the Reserve includes areas recently added to the Natura 2000 Network, such as the Esteiro do Río Baxoi SCI and the Serra da Cova da Serpe SCI, improving the connectivity and ecological coherence of the protected areas network.
BUFFER ZONES
The buffer zones of the Reserve cover 22,118.6 hectares, representing 18.9% of the total area. These zones are divided into 21,324.1 ha of terrestrial area (18.7% of the continental surface) and 794.5 ha of marine area (28.8% of the marine surface). Their main function is to act as a buffer between the core and transition zones, playing a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and ecological connectivity, favoring genetic exchange between species.
Main Characteristics:
- Semi-natural habitats: 27.1% of the buffer zone is dedicated to agricultural landscapes, covering almost 6,000 ha, promoting agriculture compatible with conservation.
- Forest replanting: 36.4% of the zone is occupied by forest masses, which contrasts with the lower representation of natural habitats, which do not exceed 35%.
- Urbanized areas: unlike core zones, buffer zones have 1.8% of urbanized surface.
Functions and Benefits:
- Protection and connectivity: they act as buffer zones against human activities in transition zones, minimizing the impact on core zones. Additionally, they strengthen connectivity between different ecosystems and species of conservation interest.
- Sustainable activities: in these zones, human activities are low-intensity, such as traditional agriculture, which maintains valuable ecosystems without compromising the Reserve's natural values.
- Key conservation areas: include coastal and inland wetlands (such as Braña de Sada and Meicende Reservoir), which stand out for their high biodiversity and cultural value.
Additional Areas:
- River corridors: the zones of the main river courses, defined by the Water Law, function as biological corridors connecting core zones and improving ecological permeability.
- Mountain areas: in the eastern part of the Reserve, small mountain ranges and mosaics of dry scrublands and rocky areas harbor endemic species of great conservation value.
The buffer zones reinforce the protection framework of the Biosphere Reserve and ensure ecological coherence between different protected zones, facilitating biodiversity preservation at both local and regional levels.
TRANSITION ZONES
The transition zone of the Mariñas Coruñesas and Terras do Mandeo Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 88,097.2 hectares (75.5% of the total), of which 1,960.1 ha are marine (71.2% of the marine surface) and 86,317.1 ha are terrestrial (75.6% of the continental surface). This zone is key for socioeconomic development and sustainable territory management, integrating areas where human activities such as agriculture, industry, commerce, and urbanization take place.
Main Characteristics:
- High population density: the zone houses nearly 190,000 inhabitants, with a density exceeding 160 inhabitants/km², placing the Reserve in an intermediate position among Spanish Biosphere Reserves.
- Predominant human activities: rural landscape occupies 42.1% of the zone, forest replanting 36.8%, and urbanized areas represent 5.3%. Natural ecosystems such as forests, scrublands, and wetlands have less representation, with only 15.8% of the surface.
Function and Objectives:
- Sustainable development: the transition zone is ideal for promoting activities compatible with conservation, such as new forms of sustainable use of natural resources, fostering cooperation between local communities, management bodies, scientific sphere, and other key stakeholders.
- Flexibility and cooperation: in line with the Seville Strategy, this zone is considered a "cooperation area," where socioeconomic activities are managed jointly with conservation objectives. Its breadth allows ecosystem management and serves as a laboratory to demonstrate sustainable development methods at a regional scale.
- Connection with other Reserves: the transition zone, besides being fundamental for socioeconomic development, connects and expands the ecological network between core and buffer zones, allowing ecosystems to be managed in an integral and sustainable way.
Included Areas:
- Industrial, commercial, and agricultural zones: where main socioeconomic activities are concentrated.
- Urban settlements: houses the 17 municipalities that are part of the Reserve, including their capitals and most populated areas.
- Zone of influence: acts as an external "matrix" to the buffer zones, reinforcing connectivity between all areas of the Reserve.