Fauna and flora
Ecosystem diversity
Ecosystem diversity
The natural environment and climatic conditions of the concejo de Ponga favor a rich diversity of fauna and flora.
The steep slopes covered by lush forests offer the perfect refuge for deer, roe deer, wild boaríes, foxes and wolves. At higher altitudes, chamois dominate the steep ridges. The brown bear, another representative mammal, is currently in low population, and efforts are being made to repopulate it.
Walking the trails of Ponga, it is not difficult to spot these species, as well as a variety of small animals such as badgers, ferrets, genets, otters, martens, weasels and wildcats.
Looking up at the sky, it is possible to observe large birds of prey such as the kite, the goshawk and the Egyptian vulture, currently in danger of extinction. The common vulture is abundant in the council, and in general, large birds find in this rugged terrain an ideal natural refuge.
It's common to hear the cátail or owl, and the elegant grey heron can often be seen perched near the river.
An innumerable number of smaller birds cohabit the region: blackbirds, sparrows, crows, swallows, wagtails, robins, goldfinches, among others.
Special mention should be made of the capercaillie, the medium-sized woodpecker and the black woodpecker, fragile species, difficult to observe and currently in danger of extinction.
The rivers abound in common trout, and to a lesser extent, salmon.
This environment is an ideal enclave both for these species and for the development of livestock, an economic activity traditionally rooted in the region. Cattle, horses, sheep and goats have thrived on the abundant pasture for generations in Ponga. However, due to market conditions, this activity is in regression, endangering some traditions that have shaped the social structure of the council for decades.
The forest is a protagonist element in Ponga, and it is not by chance that we mention it frequently. This space makes the council a unique place. Firstly, it is rare to find a geographical area where forests and high rocky peaks are so close. Secondly, if we consider that the richness of a forest is measured by the variety of its plant species, we can say that the forests of Ponga are very diverse: beech, oak, chestnut, ash, birch, maple, yew, walnut, hazel, cherry, fig, laurel, hawthorn and holly, among others. In a single walk, it is possible to find most of these tree species.
In the undergrowth, fern, heather and broom are abundant.
Among the forests of Ponga, the Peloño forest stands out for its biological importance . Declared a partial nature reserve within the natural park itself, it covers an area of approximately 15 km². The beech is the predominant species, and in its surroundings you can observe both young and very old specimens.