Ses Salines d’Eivissa i Formentera

HISTORY OF THE NATURAL PARK

Since the 1970s, many efforts have been made to protect Ses Salines through legislation. All of those efforts were further promoted by the constant demand of the local people for the respect and protection of one of the most important natural sites in the Islands. The declaration as a Natural Area of Special Interest in 1991 covers much of the park’s area, and by virtue of State Law 26/1995, of 31 July, Ses Salines became a Nature Reserve. Finally, through Law 17/2001, of 19 December, on the Environmental Protection of Ses Salines d’Eivissa i Formentera, the entire area was declared a Natural Park and the Government of the Balearic Islands undertook its management and administration.

CULTURAL AND ETHNOLOGICAL HERITAGE

The vestiges of ancient civilizations and the footprints of history in the Pitiüses Islands can also be seen in the natural park. Bearing witness to this are the remains found at the Phoenician Settlement of Sa Caleta (which was declared World Heritage by UNESCO), and the five defence towers that dot the park’s coastline. The presence of the salt industry, which dates back thousands of years, with all of its historical, cultural and socio-economic value, is an additional unique feature of vast natural beauty and importance that fits in perfectly with the natural ecosystemss.

MARINE ENVIRONMENT

The sea accounts for approximately 85% of the park’s area and is characterised by the ecological importance of its underwater Posidonia oceanica beds. This marine plant, which is exclusive to our sea, ensures the continued survival of the fish populations and other sea life. Moreover, it oxygenates the waters, keeping them clean and clear, while sheltering the beaches from the erosive effects of the waves and maintaining the natural dynamics of the dune systems. The best-conserved Posidonia prairies in the entire Mediterranean, these seaweed beds are protected by the Directive on Habitats (92/43/EEC) and have been declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

PLANT LIFE AND FAUNA

En el ámbito terrestre, el Parque natural acoge una representación magnífica de la mayoría de especies vegetales existentes en las islas Pitiusas, (178 especies en total). Están representados los pinares mediterráneos, los sabinares costeros, los salicorniares y la vegetación halófila que rodea los estanques, los sistemas dunares y la vegetación litoral de acantilados.

On land, the natural park boasts a magnificent representation of most of the existing plant formations in the Pitiüses Islands, with some 178 different species in all. These include Mediterranean pine groves, coastal savin groves, glasswort beds and the halophilic plants that surround the ponds, the dune systems and the coastal plants found along the cliffs.
Some 210 bird species have been catalogued in the natural park. Particularly worthy of note are the aquatic bird populations, including the flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), the black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus), the shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), and seafaring birds such as the Audouin’s gull (Larus audouinii) and the Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus). The lagoon, Estany Pudent de Formentera, boasts one of the largest communities of the black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) in Europe.
Other animal species worthy of note in the park’s land areas include the Eivissa wall lizard (Podarcis pityusensis), which is endemic to these islands and appears on the other islets in different subspecies; the large garden dormouse (Elyomis quercinus ophiusae) on Formentera; and many different endemic beetle and snail species.

MAP

ACTIVIDADES OBJETO DE COMUNICACIÓN, AUTORIZACIÓN O PROHIBIDAS

Se tienen que autorizar previamente, entre otras, las actividades siguientes:
• Los proyectos de investigación.
• El buceo deportivo.
• Las filmaciones y sesiones fotográficas.
• Encender fuego.
No se pueden llevar a cabo las actividades y aprovechamientos incompatibles con la conservación y en especial:
• La circulación con motos acuáticas.
• La pesca submarina.
• El baño y la utilización de los barros de la laguna de S’Espalmador.
• El uso público en los islotes y farallones y, por lo tanto, el desembarque en estas zonas y su frecuentación.
• La extracción o recogida de fauna y flora tanto en el ámbito terrestre como en el marino.
• El uso de los estanques o áreas de explotación salinera, fuera de las visitas o actividades debidamente autorizadas.
• La pernoctación en acampada libre o mediante caravanas.
• Cualquier tipo de circulación motorizada fuera de caminos y viales.
• La circulación a pie por los sistemas dunares o hábitats de interés o interés especial, fuera de las pasarelas o de las sendas y caminos señalizados.
Para comunicar estas actividades o solicitar su autorización, pueden dirigirse a la Conserjería de Medio Ambiente de la
c/ Murcia, 6, Eivissa o Av. Gabriel Alomar i Villalonga, 33, Palma.

ACTIVIDADES OBJETO DE COMUNICACIÓN, AUTORIZACIÓN O PROHIBIDAS
Oficina del Parque natural de Ses Salines d’Eivissa i Formentera
Carrer Murcia, 6 – Eivissa 07800
Tel. 971 17 76 88 Ext. 4
Fax. 971 39 47 95
www.caib.es