S’Albufera de Mallorca, a stunning natural park
S’Albufera is the largest and most important wetland of the Balearic Islands (1,646.48 ha), especially meadow, included within the municipalities of Muro and Sa Pobla. It has a very ancient origin and has varied in size and features as changes in sea level. Part of the meadow originated in the Tertiary, but the current wetland was formed less than 100,000 years ago. The coastal dunes are more modern, about 10,000 years old.
As mentioned, it is the most important wetland in the Balearic Islands, and has two conservationists statements internationally: in 1987 it was declared a Special Protection Area (SPA) and Prat international importance by the Ramsar Convention. There are five viewpoints for bird watching. They have been inventoried nearly three hundred species of birds.
Visiting hours of the Park is from 9 to 18 hours between April 1 and September 30, and from 9 to 17 hours between October 1 and March 31. A free entry must be requested at Reception Center and is required (open from 9 am to 16 pm all year except Christmas and New Year)
Water is the basis of the biological richness of s’Albufera. water and soil moisture allow continued growth of vegetation, varying with depth, proximity to the sea and the terrain. The park receives rainwater through streams and canines (outcrops groundwater). Entries in the summer of seawater are not significant in amount but affect vegetation and fauna.