Reguengos PEZ

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Évora > Reguengos de Monsaraz > São Marcos do Campo > Monte Caeiros

Location

The Special Protection Area (SPA) of Reguengos covers a vast expanse of the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz, situated in an area characterized by a predominantly rural landscape. Within its boundaries lies the locality of São Marcos do Campo, and a significant portion of the SPA is located in the Monte Caeiros area. This geographical position allows visitors to observe the wide and characteristic plains of the Alentejo, offering unobstructed views of the horizons.

Essential Natural Heritage

Designated as a Special Protection Area in 2008, this area of over six thousand hectares was created with the primary objective of safeguarding important populations of steppe birds. The SPA of Reguengos is particularly relevant for the Great Bustard, a species that finds one of its most vital breeding grounds in Portugal here. In addition to this emblematic bird, the territory is also habitat for other species of high conservation interest, such as the Calandra Lark, the Black-bellied Sandgrouse, and the Stone-curlew, which enrich the region's avifaunal diversity.

Characteristic Rural Landscape

The landscape of the SPA of Reguengos is defined by a mosaic of extensive cereal fields and fallow areas, which are lands left to rest without cultivation for a period. This vast and open rural scenery reflects the traditional agricultural practices of the region. Its beauty lies in the simplicity and grandeur of the spaces, where the succession of seasons alters the coloration of the fields, from the vibrant green of spring to the intense gold of summer, creating a serene environment conducive to nature observation.

The Value of Preservation

The existence of the SPA of Reguengos underscores the importance of maintaining a delicate balance between human activity and the natural environment. The continuity of dryland farming practices and the management of fallow lands are crucial for the survival of steppe birds, which depend directly on these open habitats. A visit to this site invites an understanding of the ecological value of seemingly simple landscapes, which harbor an ecosystem fundamental to the region's biodiversity and the conservation of endangered species.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt