Union of Asturian and Galician cultures
The Río Eo, Oscos and Terras de Burón Biosphere Reserve covers 14 municipalities located in the northwest of Asturias and the northeast of Lugo (Galicia), extending over an area of more than 159,000 hectares . This Biosphere Reserve is organized around the Eo river basin, from its source in Fonteo (municipality of Baleira, Lugo) to its mouth in the Cantabrian Sea.
The territory is made up of at least four large landscape units: the Western Cantabrian coast, the riverbeds, the estuary of the Eo river and the mountains and hills.
The diversity of landscapes and habitats makes this Biosphere Reserve a unique enclave, with a wealth of natural ecosystems that harbor species and habitats of special conservation interest. This uniqueness is reflected in the different forms of protection that have been granted to the area.
In total, 41 types of habitats have been identified as protected at European level in the Reserve, with emphasis on dune ecosystems, coastal scrublands, inland wetlands and forests associated with humid environments. In addition, there are numerous species of great importance for conservation.
The Biosphere Reserve is home to a rich and diverse fauna. In the coastal area, seabirds such as the Eurasian oystercatcher and the shag stand out, as well as reptiles and amphibians such as the San Antón frog and the common frog, also under legal protection.
The estuary of the Eo estuary is key for waterfowl during migration and wintering, which is why it has been recognized as a Special Protection Area for Birds and Ramsar Wetland. This environment is dominated by gulls, ducks and waders.
The Eo river, important for its salmon, is also home to species of interest such as lamprey, river mother-of-pearl, otter and Iberian desman.
In the mountainous areas, the forests are home to mammals such as the wolf and, occasionally, the brown bear, as well as forest birds such as the black woodpecker. They are also a refuge for singular invertebrates such as the slug Geomalacus maculosus and the Quimper's snail, associated with humid and wooded environments.