Sado Estuary Natural Reserve

Category: Nature > Nature Reserve

District: Setúbal > Setúbal > Mourisca

Location:

The Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, a vast protected area, is located in the municipality of Setúbal, with the Mourisca area being one of its most well-known landmarks. The estuary forms where the Sado River meets the Atlantic Ocean, creating a unique transitional landscape. Offshore, the extensive Tróia peninsula acts as a natural barrier, protecting the calm waters and the reserve's banks, which stretch across vast alluvial plains.

A Wildlife Haven:

This estuary is a crucial habitat for a remarkable diversity of animal life. The reserve is renowned for its rich avifauna, hosting over two hundred bird species throughout the year. It is a vital point for the nesting, resting, and wintering of waterfowl and waders, including the elegant greater flamingo and the graceful black-winged stilt. However, it is the bottlenose dolphins, a resident community of dolphins, that most stand out in the Sado. Their presence is a rare phenomenon in Europe, and spotting them in the estuary waters offers a privileged encounter with marine wildlife.

A Mosaic of Natural Habitats:

The landscape of the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve is a complex and beautiful mosaic of ecosystems. The vast saltmarsh areas, cut by creeks and channels, are natural nurseries and essential feeding grounds for many species. The surroundings are marked by extensive rice paddies, which lend a distinct color to the landscape in different seasons, and by cork oak forests and pine groves, which extend across the higher areas. This diversity of environments contributes to the biological richness and scenic beauty of the site.

The Memory of Water and Land:

Throughout centuries, the relationship between humankind and nature has shaped this region. The presence of old salt pans, now disused, testifies to the historical importance of salt production, an activity that profoundly marked the local and regional economy. This interlinkage between the estuary's natural resources and traditional practices underscores the cultural and symbolic value of the site, where nature has been, and continues to be, a source of sustenance and inspiration for the communities living here.

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