Pinares de Doñana

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Complejo Endorreico de La Lantejuela Natural Reserve

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This lagoon complex, located between Lantejuela and Osuna, is what remains of a vast 600-km2 wetland that extended until Ecija.

These nine lagoons have exceptional value because they are the last lagoons that remain of what used to be one of the most extensive wetlands in the Guadalquivir Depression. 

The lagoons are now endorheic because they are not connected to any stream or river, and some have practically ceased to be natural lagoons.

The Ballestera and Calderón Chica lagoons, in particular, are notable. They are both Natural Reserves as they are populated with the Althenia orientalis. The Gobierno Lagoon is also protected as it has water all year round due to inflows of purified wastewater from Lantejuela. This gives it a distinctive shape with a unique water composition. All this gives the Complex a singular character that attracts a remarkable community of wildlife species, both aquatic and terrestrial.

Region
Category
Natural reserve
Surface area
956.00 Ha
Flora

Calderón Chica Lagoon is sparsely populated with plant species, primarily patches of tamarisk with reeds, glassworts and other halphytic plants.

Meanwhile, Ballestera Lagoon has a highly degraded perilagoon vegetation, reed areas and isolated patches of tamarisk. Despite this, this lagoon is exceptionally important as it is populated with two species of the genus Althenia with very limited distribution in Andalusia.

Fauna

Worthy of note is the abundance of waterfowl. Lantejuela is a roosting, breeding and resting area for numerous bird species during their migratory flights. Some species that abound in this Complex are anatidae, in particular mallards, as well as gadwalls, Eurasian wigeon, northern shovelers, red-crested pochards and geese. A flamboyance of flamingos can be regularly viewed, especially in spring.

Waders are also common during the migratory season in spring and autumn, in particular, black-winged stilts. Gulls can also be seen intermittently. Various raptors also populate the area, including marsh harriers, Montagu’s harriers and buzzards.

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