#: locale=es
## Tour
### Description
tour.description = Paraje Natural Marismas del Odiel - Anastasio Senra Visitor Center - Calatilla de Bacuta Trail
### Título
tour.name = Virtual Visit - Paraje Natural Marismas del Odiel
## Skin
### Botón
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Button_4A3F5197_557B_99AF_41CD_40786D289050.label = 13 - Marismas de odiel in history
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Button_7474E3E4_4BB6_EAEB_41C4_B58ED91EA07C.label = 6 - Discover the protagonists
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### Texto Multilinea
HTMLText_00E80891_4ABE_252D_41A9_03B9C41FA3AE.html = The biological productivity of the marshes is one of the highest on the planet. The temperate climate, the shallow depth of the seabed, the continuous action of the tides and the mixture of fresh and salt water encourage the availability of nutrients.
The living matter produced per square meter is similar to that of the tropical forests.
The proliferation of life in Marismas del Odiel takes place in a complex mosaic of relationships between producers and consumers or between predators and prey. The high biological production of these marshes allows for an abundance of life.
The number of plant and animal species is not high but the populations are numerous.
The biological productivity of the marshes is one of the highest on the planet. The temperate climate, the shallow depth of the seabed, the continuous action of the tides and the mixture of fresh and salt water encourage the availability of nutrients.
The living matter produced per square meter is similar to that of the tropical forests.
The proliferation of life in Marismas del Odiel takes place in a complex mosaic of relationships between producers and consumers or between predators and prey. The high biological production of these marshes allows for an abundance of life.
The number of plant and animal species is not high but the populations are numerous.
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PRIVILEGED PLATFORM FOR LIFE
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PRIVILEGED PLATFORM FOR LIFE
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DISCOVER THE PROTAGONISTS
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DISCOVER THE PROTAGONISTS
Biodiversity reflects the genetic variety of the living beings that inhabit a given place. It is the most precious treasure of the planet Earth with almost 30 million species, product of the evolution of life during 4,000 million years.
The destruction and transformation of natural habitats is causing widespread biodiversity loss. More than 15,000 species are at risk of extinction.
In the marshes, biodiversity is not high, in other words, there is not a great variety of species compared to other territories; but the existing populations have a large number of individuals.
Biodiversity reflects the genetic variety of the living beings that inhabit a given place. It is the most precious treasure of the planet Earth with almost 30 million species, product of the evolution of life during 4,000 million years.
The destruction and transformation of natural habitats is causing widespread biodiversity loss. More than 15,000 species are at risk of extinction.
In the marshes, biodiversity is not high, in other words, there is not a great variety of species compared to other territories; but the existing populations have a large number of individuals.
The sea becomes welcoming when it recedes into the Odiel estuary. To the nutrients brought by the rivers are now added those provided by the sea water. The tides are in charge of distributing the nutrients brought by the rivers and making them available to all living beings.
The plankton that lives in the water, made up of numerous tiny plants and animals, is one of the main foods in aquatic ecosystems. Shrimp, silverside and whales feed on it.
Algae such as sea lettuce, or plants such as zostera, serve as food and shelter for the fauna.
Sole is adapted to life on the bottom where it is protected from the tides and camouflaged to catch small fish, crustaceans and invertebrates.
Each organism works in a complex system of interdependencies. Microscopic beings -bacteria and fungi- decompose organic remains closing the different cycles of matter.
The human presence has been, and is, decisive in the marshes. Their future depends on the management models adopted.
The sea becomes welcoming when it recedes into the Odiel estuary. To the nutrients brought by the rivers are now added those provided by the sea water. The tides are in charge of distributing the nutrients brought by the rivers and making them available to all living beings.
The plankton that lives in the water, made up of numerous tiny plants and animals, is one of the main foods in aquatic ecosystems. Shrimp, silverside and whales feed on it.
Algae such as sea lettuce, or plants such as zostera, serve as food and shelter for the fauna.
Sole is adapted to life on the bottom where it is protected from the tides and camouflaged to catch small fish, crustaceans and invertebrates.
Each organism works in a complex system of interdependencies. Microscopic beings -bacteria and fungi- decompose organic remains closing the different cycles of matter.
The human presence has been, and is, decisive in the marshes. Their future depends on the management models adopted.
The life of many animals is conditioned by long annual journeys. Migration is an ancestral habit originated at the end of the last glaciation.
As the ice retreated to the North, new territories emerged with abundant food that could be used seasonally. Due to migration, return routes have been generated between spaces with very different environmental characteristics.
Some 5,000 million migratory birds, of different species that breed in Europe or Western Asia, have their main winter destination in Africa. Twice a year they make an intercontinental crossing with difficulties and obstacles: winds, streams, mountain ranges or deserts between them.
The north-south direction is the most common, although some take a westward course towards the European Atlantic coasts bathed by the warm current water of the Gulf of Mexico.
The Gulf of Cadiz wetlands are a major node in the migratory routes
The life of many animals is conditioned by long annual journeys. Migration is an ancestral habit originated at the end of the last glaciation.
As the ice retreated to the North, new territories emerged with abundant food that could be used seasonally. Due to migration, return routes have been generated between spaces with very different environmental characteristics.
Some 5,000 million migratory birds, of different species that breed in Europe or Western Asia, have their main winter destination in Africa. Twice a year they make an intercontinental crossing with difficulties and obstacles: winds, streams, mountain ranges or deserts between them.
The north-south direction is the most common, although some take a westward course towards the European Atlantic coasts bathed by the warm current water of the Gulf of Mexico.
The Gulf of Cadiz wetlands are a major node in the migratory routes
The marshy landscape changes radically with the tides. The oscillation of the waters makes that certain spaces are flooded or emerge alternatively.
Molluscs, such as cockles, and crustaceans, such as kite crabs, live in galleries dug out of the mud. Mosquito larvae develop in the water, being a fundamental food for birds and fish.
Marsh plants are adapted to salinity. Their distribution responds to the reach of the tides.
Thus, the “almajo” lives in the low marsh, flooded occasionally or permanently, the “espartina” in the middle, which is only flooded by the live tides, and the salty or “limoniastrum” in the high, always emerged.
Birds are the main exponent of the rich fauna of Marismas del Odiel. Up to 300 species can be observed. The aquatic ones stand out, such as the spoonbill, the black-necked grebe, the common sandpiper or the black-tailed godwit. And the birds of prey, such as the osprey.
The otter is an aquatic mammal that roams the waters of the marshes.
The marshy landscape changes radically with the tides. The oscillation of the waters makes that certain spaces are flooded or emerge alternatively.
Molluscs, such as cockles, and crustaceans, such as kite crabs, live in galleries dug out of the mud. Mosquito larvae develop in the water, being a fundamental food for birds and fish.
Marsh plants are adapted to salinity. Their distribution responds to the reach of the tides.
Thus, the “almajo” lives in the low marsh, flooded occasionally or permanently, the “espartina” in the middle, which is only flooded by the live tides, and the salty or “limoniastrum” in the high, always emerged.
Birds are the main exponent of the rich fauna of Marismas del Odiel. Up to 300 species can be observed. The aquatic ones stand out, such as the spoonbill, the black-necked grebe, the common sandpiper or the black-tailed godwit. And the birds of prey, such as the osprey.
The otter is an aquatic mammal that roams the waters of the marshes.
The marshes are slowly evolving towards their disappearance. In suitable spaces, the coastal funds accumulate sediments, they transform themselves first into marshes and then into land.
This sedimentation is favored by the low slope of the coast and the encounter of the tides with the fresh water. Salinity also contributes to this process, and facilitates the addition of particles by the phenomenon known as flocculation, and high tide, which introduces sediments of marine origin.
2,000 years ago, these marshes were part of a large bay in which the waters of the rivers Tinto and Odiel rested. The growth of the coastal arrow at Punta Umbría and the development of sandy hooks inside of the estuary facilitated the appearance of part of the current marshes.
Human intervention has transformed the landscape of Marismas del Odiel, especially during the second half of the 20th century. The breakwater, the roads and other infrastructures have favored the sedimentation and the formation of marshes at an unprecedented rate.
Sedimentation: A large part of the earth's crust, including the seabed, has been formed by the accumulation of materials in slow sedimentation processes.
Suspended particles settle according to their size, shape, weight and density. Particles of a similar nature will settle to the bottom more quickly the heavier they are.
The agitation of the water encourages the dispersion of particles and the calm encourages their deposit.
The marshes are slowly evolving towards their disappearance. In suitable spaces, the coastal funds accumulate sediments, they transform themselves first into marshes and then into land.
This sedimentation is favored by the low slope of the coast and the encounter of the tides with the fresh water. Salinity also contributes to this process, and facilitates the addition of particles by the phenomenon known as flocculation, and high tide, which introduces sediments of marine origin.
2,000 years ago, these marshes were part of a large bay in which the waters of the rivers Tinto and Odiel rested. The growth of the coastal arrow at Punta Umbría and the development of sandy hooks inside of the estuary facilitated the appearance of part of the current marshes.
Human intervention has transformed the landscape of Marismas del Odiel, especially during the second half of the 20th century. The breakwater, the roads and other infrastructures have favored the sedimentation and the formation of marshes at an unprecedented rate.
Sedimentation: A large part of the earth's crust, including the seabed, has been formed by the accumulation of materials in slow sedimentation processes.
Suspended particles settle according to their size, shape, weight and density. Particles of a similar nature will settle to the bottom more quickly the heavier they are.
The agitation of the water encourages the dispersion of particles and the calm encourages their deposit.
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WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE
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WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE
The second breeding colony in Europe is in Marismas del Odiel , one of the main reasons for its protection as a natural area. It is a very sociable bird and faithful to its place of birth, although some young specimens explore other breeding sites. Its average life span is 12 years but it can reach 30.
Since 1979, numerous studies have been carried out on the colony and some 7,000 spoonbill chicks have been ringed. Migratory movements are more complex than previously thought and groups with different habits and schedules coexist.
Their most frequent winter destination is Senegal where the young, after their first trip, stay for three or four years and then return to Odiel to breed.
The Odiel Marsh colony is very vulnerable during the breeding season because the live tides flood the nests, aborting most of the clutches, up to 80%. Control and conservation tasks include monitoring these episodes and rescuing nests.
Spoonbill pairs help to raise the chicks, but it is not known whether they are stable in the next year.
The second breeding colony in Europe is in Marismas del Odiel , one of the main reasons for its protection as a natural area. It is a very sociable bird and faithful to its place of birth, although some young specimens explore other breeding sites. Its average life span is 12 years but it can reach 30.
Since 1979, numerous studies have been carried out on the colony and some 7,000 spoonbill chicks have been ringed. Migratory movements are more complex than previously thought and groups with different habits and schedules coexist.
Their most frequent winter destination is Senegal where the young, after their first trip, stay for three or four years and then return to Odiel to breed.
The Odiel Marsh colony is very vulnerable during the breeding season because the live tides flood the nests, aborting most of the clutches, up to 80%. Control and conservation tasks include monitoring these episodes and rescuing nests.
Spoonbill pairs help to raise the chicks, but it is not known whether they are stable in the next year.
Click on image to enlarge
You are going to take a virtual tour of a visitor's centre and a trail adapted for people with functional diversity. This is a project financed by La Caixa that aims to bring the Natural Areas of Andalusia closer to everyone in an inclusive way through 8 virtual tours, one per province.
The aim of this project is to show the route and the equipment as well as its interpretative content so that users can assess their degree of accessibility before going through it "in situ".
The tours start at a visitor reception facility and continue along an adapted trail. The virtual tour is an experience in itself, as there is the option of taking an immersive visit using virtual reality glasses with a smartphone (APP Matterport VR).
On the main screen we find icons (see image):
To exit the view we are in, click on one of the icons that appear in the lower left corner, depending on the user's intention.
In the legend, this different options appears:
START: A useful option to move quickly to the beginning of the trail or to the visitor center.
INFORMATION: This tab shows all the information markers outside the reception equipment classified by "LANDMARKS" and "ACCESIBILITY". Each one can be accessed by clicking on its description and allows you to continue the tour from that same point.
LOCATION: Address of the reception equipment.
We hope you enjoy this immersive experience and decide to visit this site personally.
Click on image to enlarge
You are going to take a virtual tour of a visitor's centre and a trail adapted for people with functional diversity. This is a project financed by La Caixa that aims to bring the Natural Areas of Andalusia closer to everyone in an inclusive way through 8 virtual tours, one per province.
The aim of this project is to show the route and the equipment as well as its interpretative content so that users can assess their degree of accessibility before going through it "in situ".
The tours start at a visitor reception facility and continue along an adapted trail. The virtual tour is an experience in itself, as there is the option of taking an immersive visit using virtual reality glasses with a smartphone (APP Matterport VR).
On the main screen we find icons (see image):
To exit the view we are in, click on one of the icons that appear in the lower left corner, depending on the user's intention.
In the legend, this different options appears:
START: A useful option to move quickly to the beginning of the trail or to the visitor center.
INFORMATION: This tab shows all the information markers outside the reception equipment classified by "LANDMARKS" and "ACCESIBILITY". Each one can be accessed by clicking on its description and allows you to continue the tour from that same point.
LOCATION: Address of the reception equipment.
We hope you enjoy this immersive experience and decide to visit this site personally.
INSTRUCCIONES /
¿Cómo hacer el recorrido virtual?
INSTRUCTIONS /
How to take the virtual tour?
The marshes are meeting places for the two great ecosystems of the planet: the land and the sea, which share space by taking turns, according to an order governed by cosmic forces.
The marshes are meeting places for the two great ecosystems of the planet: the land and the sea, which share space by taking turns, according to an order governed by cosmic forces.
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THE VALUE OF THE MARSHES
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THE VALUE OF THE MARSHES
The marshes are strategic spaces for marine life and coastal security that provide immense benefits.
Fishing in the oceans depends largely on their conservation. Many aquatic birds use the marshes as a laying and feeding area.
They serve as natural protection for the coast and its populations, as a buffer against storms or tsunamis.
The Marismas de Odiel are the widest in the Iberian Peninsula among those that are flooded by the tides.
On the Atlantic coast are located the main marshes of our environment because their tides are more powerful than those of the Mediterranean.
The marshes are strategic spaces for marine life and coastal security that provide immense benefits.
Fishing in the oceans depends largely on their conservation. Many aquatic birds use the marshes as a laying and feeding area.
They serve as natural protection for the coast and its populations, as a buffer against storms or tsunamis.
The Marismas de Odiel are the widest in the Iberian Peninsula among those that are flooded by the tides.
On the Atlantic coast are located the main marshes of our environment because their tides are more powerful than those of the Mediterranean.
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THE PULSE OF THE MARSHES
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THE PULSE OF THE MARSHES
The rotation of the Earth and the gravitational force of the Moon and the Sun are responsible for the tides. In the Marismas de Odiel there are two high and two low tides every day.
The tides set the rhythm of the marshes: they move a large amount of water, so the energy is generated and the circulation of nutrients is encouraged by a network that links animals, plants and microorganisms. They are a generalized coastal phenomenon whose cycle and intensity vary in the different seas of the planet.
Since the pharaohs, different civilizations have taken advantage of the energy of the tides. Until recently, hundreds of tidal mills marked the European Atlantic coast. The current interest in renewable energies opens new prospects for an energy resource that we need to rediscover.
How a tidal mill works: Tidal mills use the tides as an energy source. On the coast of Huelva, more than 40 tide mills have been in operation. The grain is ground by the friction of a mobile stone on another fixed one, this movement is produced by the action of the water dammed up at high tide and released at low tide.
The rotation of the Earth and the gravitational force of the Moon and the Sun are responsible for the tides. In the Marismas de Odiel there are two high and two low tides every day.
The tides set the rhythm of the marshes: they move a large amount of water, so the energy is generated and the circulation of nutrients is encouraged by a network that links animals, plants and microorganisms. They are a generalized coastal phenomenon whose cycle and intensity vary in the different seas of the planet.
Since the pharaohs, different civilizations have taken advantage of the energy of the tides. Until recently, hundreds of tidal mills marked the European Atlantic coast. The current interest in renewable energies opens new prospects for an energy resource that we need to rediscover.
How a tidal mill works: Tidal mills use the tides as an energy source. On the coast of Huelva, more than 40 tide mills have been in operation. The grain is ground by the friction of a mobile stone on another fixed one, this movement is produced by the action of the water dammed up at high tide and released at low tide.
The study of bird migrations reveals secrets about their life and survival. Since ancient times, humans have observed the flight of migratory birds that revealed favorable or negative forecasts and announced the seasonal changes that set agricultural work in motion.
Observation of migratory routes became a scientific activity about 100 years ago. Today, the use of bird ringing or modern techniques with radio transmitters allows continuous tracking of migrations.
The activities of observation and control of the migrations developed daily in the Natural Site Marismas del Odiel make it a privileged station of monitoring.
Since the seventies, scientists and nature lovers began to study the ecosystems of Marismas del Odiel. Today we know many secrets of the birds that live and visit these marshes thanks to researchers, ornithologists and volunteer networks that have made these marshes the main ornithological station for waders in Europe.
Particular stories: Since 1997, thousands of birds are ringed annually in Marismas del Odiel which allows us to know the migratory routes of many species, providing us with surprising data about some of their habits.
The study of bird migrations reveals secrets about their life and survival. Since ancient times, humans have observed the flight of migratory birds that revealed favorable or negative forecasts and announced the seasonal changes that set agricultural work in motion.
Observation of migratory routes became a scientific activity about 100 years ago. Today, the use of bird ringing or modern techniques with radio transmitters allows continuous tracking of migrations.
The activities of observation and control of the migrations developed daily in the Natural Site Marismas del Odiel make it a privileged station of monitoring.
Since the seventies, scientists and nature lovers began to study the ecosystems of Marismas del Odiel. Today we know many secrets of the birds that live and visit these marshes thanks to researchers, ornithologists and volunteer networks that have made these marshes the main ornithological station for waders in Europe.
Particular stories: Since 1997, thousands of birds are ringed annually in Marismas del Odiel which allows us to know the migratory routes of many species, providing us with surprising data about some of their habits.
At the Odiel Marshes Ornithological Station there are several programs to control and defend the wintering population of ospreys, which is increasing thanks to conservation programs.
Only the adult specimens defend their usual roost and the young ones do share it. Rivalry is limited, several eagles can be observed fishing in the same place. They catch fish with great skill and beauty.
Since 2003 there is a breeding project in Marismas del Odiel that consists of raising chicks brought from northern Europe and so it's in their best interest to return to nest when they're adults. They are released, ringed, with a radio transmitter for control and old enough to complete their learning on their own, before starting their migration to Africa between late August and the middle of September.
At the Odiel Marshes Ornithological Station there are several programs to control and defend the wintering population of ospreys, which is increasing thanks to conservation programs.
Only the adult specimens defend their usual roost and the young ones do share it. Rivalry is limited, several eagles can be observed fishing in the same place. They catch fish with great skill and beauty.
Since 2003 there is a breeding project in Marismas del Odiel that consists of raising chicks brought from northern Europe and so it's in their best interest to return to nest when they're adults. They are released, ringed, with a radio transmitter for control and old enough to complete their learning on their own, before starting their migration to Africa between late August and the middle of September.
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MARISMAS DE ODIEL IN HISTORY
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MARISMAS DE ODIEL IN HISTORY
The marshes and all the wetlands, have been valued very differently throughout history. Their beauty has sometimes been a source of artistic inspiration, but the ambition to transform them and make them profitable has always been present.
Until very early times, the drying up and cleaning up of lagoons, marshes and swampy areas was considered a sign of human progress.
Very recently, the social appreciation of wetlands and marshland areas has changed. The Ramsar initiative was a first step on an international scale. In Andalucia, wetlands played a major role in the creation of the Network of Natural Protected Areas. Over time, the Marismas de Odiel have shared events with other Andalusian wetlands, but, unlike many of them, they still remain a relevant part of Andalucia's natural heritage.
The marshes and all the wetlands, have been valued very differently throughout history. Their beauty has sometimes been a source of artistic inspiration, but the ambition to transform them and make them profitable has always been present.
Until very early times, the drying up and cleaning up of lagoons, marshes and swampy areas was considered a sign of human progress.
Very recently, the social appreciation of wetlands and marshland areas has changed. The Ramsar initiative was a first step on an international scale. In Andalucia, wetlands played a major role in the creation of the Network of Natural Protected Areas. Over time, the Marismas de Odiel have shared events with other Andalusian wetlands, but, unlike many of them, they still remain a relevant part of Andalucia's natural heritage.
LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION /
For more details, click on buttons
LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION /
For more details, click on buttons