The Odiel Dunes, the Piedras River Estuary, the Dehesa del Estero and Montes de Moguer and the Las Carboneras Marisma have recently been declared as special conservation zones or ZEC, on the coast of Huelva.
The Government Council has approved the decree by which they declare themselves special areas of conservation (SAC) the places of community importance of the Dehesa del Estero and Montes de Moguer, the Odiel Dunes, the Las Carboneras Marisma and the Piedras River Estuary, all of them located on the coast of the province of Huelva. Likewise, said decree approves the Management Plan of the aforementioned ZEC, specifically, in the municipalities of Aljaraque, Cartaya, Gibraleón, Lepe, Moguer, Palos de la Frontera and Punta Umbría. These areas are home to areas of marshes, small lagoons, coastal sandbanks and estuaries, among other ecosystems.
New ZECs
The approved Management Plan is framed in the principles of the Habitats Directive of the European Union and Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, and its main objective is to guarantee the protection of these spaces that house habitats and species of community interest. . These areas, integrated into the Natura 2000 Network, they play a fundamental role for ecological connectivity of Andalusia and are part of a system interrelated with other highly relevant protected areas, such as the Laguna de El Portil Natural Reserves, Marismas del Odiel and the Doñana Natural Space.
The ecological importance of these places is manifested in its biodiversity and the uniqueness of its ecosystems. Marshes, estuaries and coastal dunes constitute environments of high biological specialization, where fluvial and tidal dynamics converge that favor the adaptation of unique plant species and communities. In addition, they are crucial areas for migratory birds, which use them as refuge, passage and nesting areas, ensuring the success of migratory routes between Europe and Africa.
The Management Plan includes specific measures to address the main threats facing these ecosystems, such as urban pressure, pollution and the effects of climate change. The proposed strategies contemplate the restoration of degraded habitats, the control of invasive exotic species and the improvement of ecological connectivity between the ZECs and other protected natural spaces.
These actions aim to conserve biodiversity and, in addition, preserve essential ecosystem servicessuch as water regulation, flood mitigation and carbon dioxide absorption.
The Dehesa del Estero and Montes de Moguer stands out for its predominance of forests and the presence of stone pines, in addition to being an important enclave for hunting and beekeeping. The Odiel Dunes house dune systems and coastal scrub that are essential for the stability of the coastline and protection against erosion.
For their part, the Las Carboneras Marsh and the Piedras River Estuary are intertidal ecosystems where marine and terrestrial biodiversity coexist in a dynamic balance. These spaces are also closely linked to local economic activitiessuch as fishing, shellfish harvesting and tourism naturegenerating employment and well-being in the surrounding towns.
The process of declaration and approval of this management plan for the new ZECs has been developed respecting the principles of transparency and participation. During its preparation, local administrations, social agents, conservation organizations and citizens in general have been consulted. This collaborative approach has made it possible to integrate the perspectives and needs of the surrounding municipalities, ensuring that the measures adopted are effective and sustainable.
Protecting the natural heritage of Huelva
With this initiative, the Junta de Andalucía reaffirms its commitment to protection of natural heritage and biodiversity. The inclusion of these SACs in the Natura 2000 Network reinforces Andalusia’s position as a leader in environmental conservation at the European level, aligning with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy.
In addition, this decree promotes environmental education, ecotourism and scientific research, consolidating these spaces as models of sustainability and balance between conservation and economic development.
Likewise, the management plan establishes a dynamic and flexible framework for action that will be subject to periodic monitoring and evaluation. Every three years, interim reports will be issued to assess the effectiveness of the measures implemented, and every six years a review will be carried out. global evaluation to guarantee compliance with the established objectives. This methodology ensures the adaptation of strategies to the changing needs of these ecosystems, guaranteeing their long-term conservation.
With this declaration, the Andalusian Government generates opportunities for sustainable socioeconomic development while protecting a valuable natural legacy in the province of Huelva. These ZECs are an excellent example of how Responsible environmental management can contribute to socioeconomic development and be a reference for future conservation initiatives both nationally and internationally.