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FORMACIÓN DEL LAGO |
EVALUACION DEL LAGO |
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INTRODUCTION
The
aim of this document is to spread the Project Life-Naturaleza
"Restoration model of dunes habitats". The total budget of the
project is 1.951.481,57 euros, from which the European Commission defrays
50% and the Valencia's town hall the other 50%. The purpose of the Project
is the regeneration of dune habitats, in a section of 13,5 ha. in la Devesa
de l'Albufera de Valencia, and the diffusion of the project among the
population and the scientific community.
We intend to raise people's consciousness about the natural values of this
place, as well as to return to this area the ecologist and landscape
features similar to those it had before it became impoverished as a direct
cosequence of the "Proyecto de Ordenación y de Urbanización del
Monte de la Devesa" approved in 1964.
PRECEDENTS
The Albufera's and Devesa's lakes were originated 10.000 years ago. In outline, they were formed due to the sediments brought mainly by the Túria river: the existing north-south ocean current distributed these sediments and formed a sand barrier (la Devesa) which isolated a portion of the sea (l'Albufera). Subsequently the size of the lake started diminishing, mainly in favor of rice crops. VIDEO 1 (lake formation), VIDEO 2 (lake evolution).
There are plenty of historians that narrate how was la Devesa in Roman times. The descriptions talk about a place of an exuberant beauty and a lake so big that it took the whole day riding to surround it. This is the reason why all along the times the monarchs kept this territory for them. As much James I as Martin el Humano, to cite some of them, considered this environment as a privileged place which had to be protected and preserved; it was considered " the Crown's jewel".
L'Albufera
was royal wealth until 1865, year in which it was transfered to the State.
And in 1911 Valencia's town hall acquired the lake and la Devesa, under
the condition that the wooded was respected and assigned to the use and
the enjoyment of people.
Nevertheless, in the 60s the Urban Developing Plan of la Devesa was
projected. This Plan was paralyzed in the 70s thanks to a great popular
movement. However, some places had been built (a promenade, roads, parking
lots...) with the consequent ecosystem alterations (lagoons silt up,
destruction of movable dunes, etc.). From then on, the process of
regeneration is still in motion.
In 1986 it is declared Natural Park, being the first one in the
"Comunidad Valenciana".
In 2001 the town hall of Valencia obtains European funds, the
LIFE-Naturaleza Project, for the regeneration of movable dunes. These
dunes conform a natural barrier against the abrasive winds coming from the
sea. It is important to say that the dune complex in the Natural Park of l'Albufera
is the most extensive of the "Comunidad Valenciana" and one of
the most important in the country.
CURRENT STATE
In
the 60s, the urban developing plans of the dune chain of la Devesa left as
witness of former proceedings a series of infrastructures which caused and
still cause a strong impact in the habitats and species of this place:
a) The promenade and a great deal of roads and parking lots are an obstacle for
the natural regeneration of the area.
b) Potholes, nowadays totally in disuse, are very dangerous specially for children and nocturnal passerbys that can fall into them.
c) Lagoons are seriously damaged due to the silting up during the process of construction of the promenade.
WORKS JUSTIFICATION
Through
the regeneration achieved during the execution of this project, the
developement of habitats and species that nowadays find themselves in
regression will be restored and favoured. Nevertheless due to its
interest and shortage, these species are currently protected by different
international acts and agreements.
Moreover, the increase of the environmental quality of the Park, which
constitutes an area of use and enjoyment for thousands of citizens, will
be achieved.