World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves
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Mountains are essential for ecosystems, acting as guardians of biodiversity and providers of resources vital to humanity. They also hold a valuable cultural heritage, comprised of monuments and traditions developed and preserved by communities settled in these regions.
Because they combine these characteristics, the Gerês/Xurés and Meseta Ibérica Transboundary Biosphere Reserves are part of the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves.
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Portuguese Mountain Biosphere Reserves
The two Portuguese Mountain Biosphere Reserves, with a combined area of 1,393,998.8 ha, represent 65% of the total area of Portuguese Biosphere Reserves.
They comprise:
- 19 municipalities out of the 32 in the total number of BR (around 60%)
- 1577 villages out of a total of 1832 in the BR (more than 80%)
In 2011, 195,851 people lived in the two BR. In 2021, that number fell to 176,362, representing a reduction of around 10%.
The population of the two BR represents more than 60% of the population living in the Portuguese BR.
TERRITORY
1393998,8
ha
AREA
65%
of the total area of Portuguese BR
POPULATION
60%
of the population living in the Portuguese BR
Mountains and peaks
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Mountains/Mountain ranges of TBR Gerês/Xurés and TBR Meseta Ibérica
Transboundary BR Gerês/Xurés
Mountain ranges
5
Peaks
38
above 800 meters
Maximum altitude
1535
meters
Transboundary BR Meseta Ibérica
Mountain ranges
4
Peaks
22
above 800 meters
Maximum altitude
1481
meters
Protected Areas
A unique mountain system
The Rede Natura 2000 [Natura 2000 Network] includes areas classified as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA), established under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, respectively.
The main objective of the SACs is to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and natural habitats, while the main objective of the SPAs is to conserve bird species and their habitats within the European Union.
The National Network of Protected Areas (RNAP) includes national, regional, local and private protected areas.
- Around 750,000 ha of protected areas integrated into the RNAP (around 8% of the territory) and the Rede Natura 2000 [Natura 2000 Network]
- 19.3% of the territory is classified as an SAC
- 12.06% of the territory is classified as SPA
- Around 250,000 ha, about 30% of the total RNAP
- 273 thousand ha in SPAs, corresponding to 25% of the national total
- 280,000 ha in SACs, around 17% of the total in mainland Portugal
- Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) | Rede Natura 2000 [Natura 2000 Network]: 92 236.67 ha (35.5%)
- Special Protection Area (SPA) | Rede Natura 2000 [Natura 2000 Network]: 63 432.10 ha (24.4%)
- Protected areas integrated into the National Network of Protected Areas (RNAP): 69 594.48 ha (26.8%)
- The Gerês/Xurés Transboundary BR stands out for being part of the only National Park in Portugal – the Peneda-Gerês National Park. It is also one of the 8 Biogenetic Reserves in mainland Portugal.
- Special Area of Conservation (SAC) | Rede Natura 2000 [Natura 2000 Network]: 190 851.98 ha (16.8%)
- Special Protection Area (SPA) | Rede Natura 2000 [Natura 2000 Network]: 209 673.95 ha (18.5%)
- Protected areas integrated into the National Network of Protected Areas (RNAP): 180 791.23 ha (15.9%)
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