Umia – O Grove Intermareal Complex

About this heritage

The Special Protection Area for Birds ZEPA Umia- O Grove Intermareal Complex, A Lanzada, Punta Carreirón and Bodeira lagoon is an extension of 2,813 ha which is included in the Special Conservation Area Ons- O Grove Complex.

In addition to being an SPA, it also has other protection categories such as Special Protection Area of Natural Values (ZPVN), Ramsar Zone and is integrated into the Special Conservation Area (ZEC) Ons-O Grove Complex.

The SPA is spread over the municipalities of Cambados, O Grove, Illa de Arousa, Meaño, Ribadumia and Sanxenxo.

It integrates a rich variety of ecosystems with characteristics that constitute a selection of the most outstanding habitats of the Galician coastline. The marine and coastal habitats are the largest group; coastal habitats with halophytic vegetation, the coast lagoons being considered a priority group; maritime and continental dunes.

Migratory and nesting bird species such as the Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), the Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), the Red-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), Coryllara (Pluvialis squatarola), Mediterranean Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus).

The SEO in fact considers it to be one of the most important wintering and transit places for waterfowl on the north coast of the Iberian Peninsula.

The isthmus of A Lanzada, besides connecting O Grove with the continent, is the point of union of two ecosystems of rich marine biodiversity. Marine mammals such as porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) have a common presence in this area.

On the inner side, there is a great plain that is covered when the tide rises and exposed at low tide. It is known as the cove of O Vao and is home to the island of A Toxa and the beaches of O Grove. Their highlight are the muddy and sandy sea bottoms, and meadows of marine vegetation.

To learn more

The Umia river forms a wide estuary at its mouth into the Umia-O Grove Intermareal Complex, creating a winding route to cross the extensive coastal plain.

The intense dynamics of the tides together with the action of the Umia river gives rise to the formation of fine sedimentary deposits, sandy-sludgy, along the bed and areas of marsh in its banks creating forms and textures that are modified with the action of the tides.

The river runs through a wide and coastal plain and receives water from different streams such as Armenteira, Fonte Espiña de Tabueiros in the south or Rio Belos in the north, forming a basin together with gentle slopes that progressively increase towards the head.

The agricultural use of the area is mostly viticultural for the Albariño grape that has the Denomination of Origin Rías Baixas and it is combined with other crops such as greenhouses and other fruit trees such as kiwi.

This river is crossed by the PR-G173 Umia River Route, which runs along the river from the surroundings of Pazo de Barrantes to the Arnelas bridge. Following the river basin and crossing the river on several occasions: at Cabanelas Bridge, Santa Marta Bridge and Ponte Arnelas Bridge. It is a completely flat route. It accesses the vineyards of the D.O. Rías Baixas cultivated in vines. The path offers several places where you can rest and enjoy the views.

The final point of the route is the Arnelas Bridge, a bridge that was rebuilt in 1598 by Felipe II.

To know it better

The Umia-O Grove Intermareal Complex is located in the province of Pontevedra, and more specifically between the estuaries of Pontevedra and Arousa. This wetland is made up of three different parts: the mouth of the river Umia -including the beach and the dune system of A Lanzada-, the Bodeira lagoon (freshwater lagoon) and, finally, the Punta Carreirón -located at the southern end of the island of Arousa-.

In this area it is possible to find 14 types of habitats. These include lagoons, coastal and grey dunes, which are Priority Habitats.

This complex consists of an area that is declared a Wetland of International Importance. In addition, this site has the title of Area of Special Protection of Natural Values, Place of Community Importance, Area for the Protection of Birds and is declared a Ramsar Zone, which main objective is the conservation of these wetlands.

In addition, it is the most important wetland in our autonomous community. For this reason, we should all take care of it, avoiding disturbing the different species.