Marjal dels Moros

Marjal dels Moros

The Marjal dels Moros is a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA), a wetland of extraordinary value located between the municipalities of Puçol and Sagunto, specifically in l’Horta Nord. It is one of the most important areas for waterfowl in the province of Valencia.

Previously, this marshland stretched from the Albufera lagoon to Canet de Berenguer, along the coast. Its destruction began with rice cultivation, and later, due to falling crop prices, the land was sold for beachfront housing developments. This completely destroyed the marshland and fragmented it into small areas, of which only the Rafalell and Vistabella marshland remains, in Massamagrell and in the Valencian districts of Rafalell and Vistabella.

History

In the upper area of Sagunto, a wetland was also destroyed, in this case, as a potential expansion area for the Altos Hornos del Mediterráneo steelworks. In 1995, the steelworks closed, and the Valencian Regional Government purchased the entire area, approximately 800 hectares, designating about 300 hectares as a wetland and classifying it as non-urbanizable land with special protection. In 1996, it was declared a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA).

The remaining 500 hectares were designated as developable land for industrial use, where the Sagunto Industrial Park is currently being built, right next to the wetland.

The local councils of these towns have implemented a bird protection system, as well as observation and protection infrastructure against seawater encroachment. These measures have successfully prevented saltwater from penetrating the marshland.

In recent years, areas previously drained have been reclaimed through the creation of new lagoons and the demolition of the last remaining buildings within the marshland. Hunting and fishing are prohibited; the only permitted activity within the protected area is livestock farming in certain zones. All of this has allowed the preservation of the area's natural values despite the expansion of the Sagunto industrial park, which has the natural space literally hemmed in between the industrial estate and the buildings on Puçol beach.

Birds

Despite its small size and numerous threats, La Marjal dels Moros boasts significant populations of several bird species, some of which are seriously endangered.

In spring, the breeding populations of waders are particularly noteworthy, including colonies of common tern, little tern, pratincole, and black-winged stilt. The whiskered tern colony, the most representative species of this protected area, is also a significant presence.

Among the waterfowl, the breeding population of the increasingly scarce red-crested pochard is important, as is the threatened marbled teal, with the marsh marking the northern limit of its distribution range in Europe.

In winter, large flocks of common teal and northern shoveler can be seen, along with spectacular concentrations of great cormorants. Visits from species such as the greater flamingo, great egret, and glossy ibis are also not uncommon.

Fish

The marsh is also home to a large number of native fish, such as the samaruc and the fartet, typical of this wetland. Some reptiles and amphibians, such as salamanders and lizards, are also found here.

Vegetation

The predominant vegetation consists of common reed (Phragmittes communis) and cattail (Typha dominguensis). Plots of salt marsh vegetation where we can find species of the genera Salicornia, Arthrocnemum, and Limonium, among others. It consists of various species of rushes and sedges. The aquatic vegetation, very sparse, is limited to almost a few species of the genus Chara.

Currently, the marsh is in serious danger due to the Sagunto Industrial Park, the regasification plant and the Sagunto thermal power plant, rising sea levels (the marsh is located a mere 10 meters from the shoreline), poaching, and the destruction of the reedbeds and rushes for cultivation.