Full Reserve of the Mouchão do Lombo do Tejo

Category: Nature > Reserva natural

District: Lisboa > Vila Franca de Xira > Vila Franca de Xira

Location

Located in the district of Lisbon, within the municipality and locality of Vila Franca de Xira, the Integral Reserve of Mouchão do Lombo do Tejo is situated at a strategic point on the Tagus River. This site is integrated into the vast and dynamic landscape of the Tagus estuary, offering a unique perspective on the region's riverside nature. Its position on the river, as an island formed by sediments, gives it a naturally isolated and untouched character, crucial to its identity and purpose.

The geographical surroundings are dominated by the imposing presence of the Tagus River, which constantly shapes the banks and the mouchões themselves. Visitors can appreciate the beauty of the estuarine landscape, characterized by the transition between the river and the land, and by the constant interaction between fresh and saltwater, a determining factor for its rich biodiversity.

Natural and Ecological Value

The Mouchão do Lombo do Tejo is a remarkable example of the complex ecology of mouchões, fluvial islands that form naturally through the accumulation of sediments carried by the river. As an integral reserve, it represents one of the most protected areas of the estuary, where natural processes occur with minimal human interference. This characteristic makes it a living laboratory and a sanctuary for various species.

The biodiversity of the mouchão is particularly rich, highlighting its importance for avifauna. It serves as a refuge and feeding ground for numerous bird species, both resident and migratory, that use the Tagus estuary as one of the most important stopovers on their migratory routes. The dense riparian vegetation and associated wetlands provide essential habitats for these birds, as well as for other forms of aquatic and terrestrial life, including insects, amphibians, and small mammals adapted to this dynamic environment.

Preservation of a Unique Ecosystem

The classification as an Integral Reserve underscores its critical importance for nature conservation. In this type of protected area, the main objective is to maintain the integrity of ecosystems, allowing flora and fauna to develop in conditions as close as possible to their natural state. This focus on rigorous preservation ensures that the Mouchão do Lombo do Tejo continues to play its vital role in the ecological health of the Tagus estuary.

The fluvial dynamics of the Tagus, with its floods and periods of low water, contribute to the uniqueness of this ecosystem, shaping its contours and renewing its resources. The Integral Reserve of Mouchão do Lombo do Tejo is thus a testament to nature's ability to create and sustain environments of rare beauty and biological value, a place that evokes the strength and tranquility of the wildest fluvial environments.

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