#: locale=es
## Tour
### Description
tour.description = José Antonio Valverde Visitor Centre - \
Path Cerro del Palo
### Título
tour.name = Virtual Tour - Reserva Natural Laguna de Fuente de Piedra
## Skin
### Botón
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### Texto Multilinea
HTMLText_56F08DAA_4E95_DABB_419A_66119347D454.html = 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?
Laguna de Fuente de Piedra Natural Reserve
Laguna de Fuente de Piedra Natural Reserve
LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION /
For more details, click on buttons
LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION /
For more details, click on buttons
Humans have managed Andalusian wetlands.
Historically, wetlands have been considered unhealthy areas and disease outbreaks; therefore, they were subject to drying and sanitation programs or were transformed and have been maintained as coastal salt flats.
In the last two centuries they have been transformed into agricultural land or urban soil throughout Spain.
Today they are threatened by drainage, pollution and over-exploitation of their resources. It is essential to develop projects for their conservation, the awareness of local communities and the recognition of their values.
The Andalusian Wetland Inventory
Andalucía has the most varied and best preserved natural heritage of wetlands in the European Union. They have a great diversity of aquatic environments and an extensive variety of landscapes: lagoons, ponds, pools, deltas, marshes, lagoons, salt marshes, etc. due to their origin, location, water and chemical regime, sediment and dominant vegetation.
Humans have managed Andalusian wetlands.
Historically, wetlands have been considered unhealthy areas and disease outbreaks; therefore, they were subject to drying and sanitation programs or were transformed and have been maintained as coastal salt flats.
In the last two centuries they have been transformed into agricultural land or urban soil throughout Spain.
Today they are threatened by drainage, pollution and over-exploitation of their resources. It is essential to develop projects for their conservation, the awareness of local communities and the recognition of their values.
The Andalusian Wetland Inventory
Andalucía has the most varied and best preserved natural heritage of wetlands in the European Union. They have a great diversity of aquatic environments and an extensive variety of landscapes: lagoons, ponds, pools, deltas, marshes, lagoons, salt marshes, etc. due to their origin, location, water and chemical regime, sediment and dominant vegetation.
1 /
THE IMPORTANCE OF WETLANDS
1 /
THE IMPORTANCE OF WETLANDS
Wetlands provide innumerable benefits to humans.
They are areas of flat land that are flooded or their soil is always soaked. Waters can be fresh or salty, stagnant or flowing and can be permanent or temporary.
The Mediterranean basin has a great variety of wetlands. These are diverse environments such as lakes, reservoirs, springs, that share common characteristics such as the temporality of the water regime, very flat or slightly depressed bottoms and proximity to the surface of the aquifers.
Andalusian wetlands have a great environmental, economic, cultural and social value:
- Great landscape quality.
- Water stored in wetlands is related to groundwater by the discharge, recharge or transit of aquifers.
- They reduce the effects of river flooding.
- Their vegetation retains the soil and dissipates the force of the wind.
- They increase water quality by retaining sediments, nutrients and toxic substances.
- They can store large amounts of carbon.
- They provide a home for many living things.
- Many commercial species of fish, molluscs and crustaceans depend on wetlands at some stage in their lives.
- They provide important tourist resources: spaces for walking, bird watching, photography, hunting, fishing and water sports.
Wetlands provide innumerable benefits to humans.
They are areas of flat land that are flooded or their soil is always soaked. Waters can be fresh or salty, stagnant or flowing and can be permanent or temporary.
The Mediterranean basin has a great variety of wetlands. These are diverse environments such as lakes, reservoirs, springs, that share common characteristics such as the temporality of the water regime, very flat or slightly depressed bottoms and proximity to the surface of the aquifers.
Andalusian wetlands have a great environmental, economic, cultural and social value:
- Great landscape quality.
- Water stored in wetlands is related to groundwater by the discharge, recharge or transit of aquifers.
- They reduce the effects of river flooding.
- Their vegetation retains the soil and dissipates the force of the wind.
- They increase water quality by retaining sediments, nutrients and toxic substances.
- They can store large amounts of carbon.
- They provide a home for many living things.
- Many commercial species of fish, molluscs and crustaceans depend on wetlands at some stage in their lives.
- They provide important tourist resources: spaces for walking, bird watching, photography, hunting, fishing and water sports.
The majority of Andalusian wetlands are under the influence of the Mediterranean climate this means alternating seasonal and annual periods of abundant rainfall with others of prolonged drought.
In the Andalusian wetlands there is abundant production of organisms and diversity of species. They maintain a high concentration of animal and plant life due to Andalucía's location between two continents.
Annual / year-on-year cycle
Most Mediterranean wetlands undergo major changes, conditioned by the alternation of annual and year-on-year cycles.
Autumn: With the rains the water level of the wetlands rises, salts are diluted and nutrients increase due to runoff. Microscopic algae appear, on which very small animals feed.
Winter: Water and nutrient inputs continue and salinity decreases. Small organisms emerge and feed a varied community of birds.
Spring: Submerged aquatic plants and those with a large number of microorganisms (zooplankton) develop and feed a large community of birds. The wintering birds leave and the summer ones arrive to start the reproduction.
Summer: Evaporation increases and the water level decreases. Salinity increases and dissolved salts crystallize. Only some microorganisms survive inside the water. The birds leave in search of areas with water. The microscopic beings and the aquatic plants will subsist and initiate a new cycle with the arrival of rains.
Dry periods / Wet periods: These changes are accompanied by year-on-year cycles. Alternating normal years, with moderate rainfall, the wetlands remain flooded in winter and spring, and dry in summer. Dry years, with scarce rainfall, high salinity and the wetlands almost all year round without water. Wet years, with more abundant rainfall, the wetland does not dry out, the water level is high and salinity is low.
Andalusian wetlands are home to an infinite number of life forms
Wetlands are very changeable systems where there is a great interaction between the beings that live in the bottom, those that live in the free water vegetation and the aquatic birds.
Micro-organisms transform the organic remains into substances that serve as food for the plants. In the slime the bacteria are the most abundant and active organisms.
The tiny organisms that live floating in the waters are called plankton (phytoplankton if they are plants and zooplankton if they are animals), they adapt to the constant changes in the wetlands, might colonize and reproduce very quickly and can overcome periods of drought.
The Andalusian Mediterranean wetlands have an abundant aquatic vegetation (submerged and emerged) that shelters and feeds a large number of living organisms.
Water birds find in wetlands an ideal place to feed, rest or reproduce.
The majority of Andalusian wetlands are under the influence of the Mediterranean climate this means alternating seasonal and annual periods of abundant rainfall with others of prolonged drought.
In the Andalusian wetlands there is abundant production of organisms and diversity of species. They maintain a high concentration of animal and plant life due to Andalucía's location between two continents.
Annual / year-on-year cycle
Most Mediterranean wetlands undergo major changes, conditioned by the alternation of annual and year-on-year cycles.
Autumn: With the rains the water level of the wetlands rises, salts are diluted and nutrients increase due to runoff. Microscopic algae appear, on which very small animals feed.
Winter: Water and nutrient inputs continue and salinity decreases. Small organisms emerge and feed a varied community of birds.
Spring: Submerged aquatic plants and those with a large number of microorganisms (zooplankton) develop and feed a large community of birds. The wintering birds leave and the summer ones arrive to start the reproduction.
Summer: Evaporation increases and the water level decreases. Salinity increases and dissolved salts crystallize. Only some microorganisms survive inside the water. The birds leave in search of areas with water. The microscopic beings and the aquatic plants will subsist and initiate a new cycle with the arrival of rains.
Dry periods / Wet periods: These changes are accompanied by year-on-year cycles. Alternating normal years, with moderate rainfall, the wetlands remain flooded in winter and spring, and dry in summer. Dry years, with scarce rainfall, high salinity and the wetlands almost all year round without water. Wet years, with more abundant rainfall, the wetland does not dry out, the water level is high and salinity is low.
Andalusian wetlands are home to an infinite number of life forms
Wetlands are very changeable systems where there is a great interaction between the beings that live in the bottom, those that live in the free water vegetation and the aquatic birds.
Micro-organisms transform the organic remains into substances that serve as food for the plants. In the slime the bacteria are the most abundant and active organisms.
The tiny organisms that live floating in the waters are called plankton (phytoplankton if they are plants and zooplankton if they are animals), they adapt to the constant changes in the wetlands, might colonize and reproduce very quickly and can overcome periods of drought.
The Andalusian Mediterranean wetlands have an abundant aquatic vegetation (submerged and emerged) that shelters and feeds a large number of living organisms.
Water birds find in wetlands an ideal place to feed, rest or reproduce.
11/
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
11/
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The increase in water withdrawals for agricultural uses, urban supplies and industries has a negative influence on the wetland. And water quality can be affected by urban, industrial and agricultural discharges into the lagoon basin.
The following actions have been taken to avoid these problems:
- The drafting of a Water Resources Management Plan and the establishment of a User Community are under way.
- Construction of wastewater treatment systems from the urban centers of Fuente de Piedra and Humilladero to improve the quality of the water discharged into the lagoon via the Santillan, Laguneto del Pueblo and El Charcón streams.
- Recovery of the wetlands associated with the lagoon environment, to improve the quality of the water provided by the streams.
The exploitation of agricultural resources in a profitable and non-aggressive way requires the adoption of the following measures:
- Promote the application of Conservation Agriculture techniques that positively influence the state of conservation of the areas.
- Repopulation and regeneration of the vegetal cover in areas of public ownership.
- Acquisition and restoration of peripheral wetlands.
Restoration of nesting islets
The remains of the structures created during the 19th century to facilitate salt mining serve as nesting grounds for many protected bird species, such as the flamingo.
These structures are small islands inaccessible to terrestrial predators which, when eroded, must be periodically restored.
The restoration of islets and the creation of two floating islets has increased the useful nesting area and the years with an average water level allow the birds to breed safely.
The increase in water withdrawals for agricultural uses, urban supplies and industries has a negative influence on the wetland. And water quality can be affected by urban, industrial and agricultural discharges into the lagoon basin.
The following actions have been taken to avoid these problems:
- The drafting of a Water Resources Management Plan and the establishment of a User Community are under way.
- Construction of wastewater treatment systems from the urban centers of Fuente de Piedra and Humilladero to improve the quality of the water discharged into the lagoon via the Santillan, Laguneto del Pueblo and El Charcón streams.
- Recovery of the wetlands associated with the lagoon environment, to improve the quality of the water provided by the streams.
The exploitation of agricultural resources in a profitable and non-aggressive way requires the adoption of the following measures:
- Promote the application of Conservation Agriculture techniques that positively influence the state of conservation of the areas.
- Repopulation and regeneration of the vegetal cover in areas of public ownership.
- Acquisition and restoration of peripheral wetlands.
Restoration of nesting islets
The remains of the structures created during the 19th century to facilitate salt mining serve as nesting grounds for many protected bird species, such as the flamingo.
These structures are small islands inaccessible to terrestrial predators which, when eroded, must be periodically restored.
The restoration of islets and the creation of two floating islets has increased the useful nesting area and the years with an average water level allow the birds to breed safely.
12/
PUBLIC USE AT FUENTE DE PIEDRA
12/
PUBLIC USE AT FUENTE DE PIEDRA
In recent years the lagoon is becoming a major attraction for nature tourism that well managed can be compatible with conservation and provide benefits for local communities.
Observatories, lookouts and trails have been created to enhance bird and landscape watching conditions
In recent years the lagoon is becoming a major attraction for nature tourism that well managed can be compatible with conservation and provide benefits for local communities.
Observatories, lookouts and trails have been created to enhance bird and landscape watching conditions.
The Fuente de Piedra Lagoon reflects the actions of our ancestors to take advantage of its salt and try to dry it out.
The remains of the old salt exploitation have modified the original territory creating dikes, depressions and fresh water channels, structures that have generated environments where plants and animals have settled.
The Fuente de Piedra Lagoon reflects the actions of our ancestors to take advantage of its salt and try to dry it out.
The remains of the old salt exploitation have modified the original territory creating dikes, depressions and fresh water channels, structures that have generated environments where plants and animals have settled.
10/
THE AMOUNT OF FLAMINGOS
10/
THE AMOUNT OF FLAMINGOS
Fuente de Piedra is the only temporary wetland area where flamingos breed regularly in Europe. Its water level determines every year the establishment or not of the breeding colony.
In January, the flamingos begin to have a more intense pink color and courtship begins. A higher color intensity indicates a better physical condition and a greater possibility of reproduction.
In March, if the water level in the lagoon is sufficient, the pairs begin to build their mud nests in the shape of a crater and of variable height depending on the place and the water level. They build on mud banks and the dikes that protrude from the water like islets. They use their necks to establish the minimum distance between nests.
The female lays only one egg and takes turns incubating with the male every 3 or 4 days, while the other feeds. The adults feed the young with "flamingo milk", a red substance secreted by the glands in the crop.
After ten days, the chicks are grouped together and watched by a few adults, and the parents eat.
At the end of July, the chicks that have born earlier take their first flights. At the end of August, at three months of age, the chicks fly safely out of the lagoon.
Fuente de Piedra is the only temporary wetland area where flamingos breed regularly in Europe. Its water level determines every year the establishment or not of the breeding colony.
In January, the flamingos begin to have a more intense pink color and courtship begins. A higher color intensity indicates a better physical condition and a greater possibility of reproduction.
In March, if the water level in the lagoon is sufficient, the pairs begin to build their mud nests in the shape of a crater and of variable height depending on the place and the water level. They build on mud banks and the dikes that protrude from the water like islets. They use their necks to establish the minimum distance between nests.
The female lays only one egg and takes turns incubating with the male every 3 or 4 days, while the other feeds. The adults feed the young with "flamingo milk", a red substance secreted by the glands in the crop.
After ten days, the chicks are grouped together and watched by a few adults, and the parents eat.
At the end of July, the chicks that have born earlier take their first flights. At the end of August, at three months of age, the chicks fly safely out of the lagoon.
Since 1986, 10% of the chicks born each year have had numbered rings placed on their legs to identify them.
Reading these rings provides information on survival, movements of flamingos and population dynamics in the Mediterranean and Northwest Africa. It is important for the management of this colony and the evaluation of the use that flamingos make of the wetlands. It has been found that breeding flamingos in Fuente de Piedra regularly move to feed in wetlands 200 kilometers away. And chicks born here are dispersed throughout the Mediterranean and Northwest Africa.
Since 1986, 10% of the chicks born each year have had numbered rings placed on their legs to identify them.
Reading these rings provides information on survival, movements of flamingos and population dynamics in the Mediterranean and Northwest Africa.
It is important for the management of this colony and the evaluation of the use that flamingos make of the wetlands. It has been found that breeding flamingos in Fuente de Piedra regularly move to feed in wetlands 200 kilometers away. And chicks born here are dispersed throughout the Mediterranean and Northwest Africa.
The common flamingo has a white plumage, with pink reflections on the back and tail, and wings stained with pink and black. It has very long legs and neck, with a beak larger than the head and curved downwards.
It feeds on small aquatic animals in a very particular way. The beak is introduced and kept upside down in the water. The flow of water can be controlled by opening and closing the beak with the movement of the tongue. By closing the beak, it pushes the water with its tongue and holds the food with its blades.
All the quirks of its body and behavior are adaptations to exploit an inhospitable environment. Its legs are covered with a kind of protective "leather socks" that allow them to remain immersed for a long time in such saline water.
The colony of Fuente de Piedra sits on islets of difficult access where adults find refuge for the care and attention of their offspring. Females and males alternate in the incubation of the eggs and the raising of the chicks.
This representation shows a small part of a flamingo colony in its different life stages. It is not possible to observe this situation directly as flamingo colonies are very sensitive to interference.
It always lives in large groups, which benefits all the birds in the colony in the tasks of reproduction, movement and foraging.
The common flamingo has a white plumage, with pink reflections on the back and tail, and wings stained with pink and black. It has very long legs and neck, with a beak larger than the head and curved downwards.
It feeds on small aquatic animals in a very particular way. The beak is introduced and kept upside down in the water. The flow of water can be controlled by opening and closing the beak with the movement of the tongue. By closing the beak, it pushes the water with its tongue and holds the food with its blades.
All the quirks of its body and behavior are adaptations to exploit an inhospitable environment. Its legs are covered with a kind of protective "leather socks" that allow them to remain immersed for a long time in such saline water.
The colony of Fuente de Piedra sits on islets of difficult access where adults find refuge for the care and attention of their offspring. Females and males alternate in the incubation of the eggs and the raising of the chicks.
This representation shows a small part of a flamingo colony in its different life stages. It is not possible to observe this situation directly as flamingo colonies are very sensitive to interference.
It always lives in large groups, which benefits all the birds in the colony in the tasks of reproduction, movement and foraging.
7/
FUENTE DE PIEDRA AND THE FLAMINGOS
7/
FUENTE DE PIEDRA AND THE FLAMINGOS
Fuente de Piedra and the flamingos of the Mediterranean and Northwest Africa.
Water in Mediterranean wetlands can disappear quickly; flamingos must always be willing to travel when food is gone.
It is not a migratory animal, but a nomad, because it goes where the conditions are favorable to it, making journeys that can exceed 1,000 kilometers without a stopover.
The movements of flamingos depend on their requirements throughout their life cycle in relation to food and reproduction.
The direction of the prenuptial movement is basically South-North and the season depends on the latitude where the breeding colonies are located. In Fuente de Piedra this period corresponds to February-April.
The time of postnuptial dispersal depends on the beginning and duration of reproduction. The latitude determines the beginning in the breeding colonies and the dispersion of the young ones. Flamingos breed every year in a few localities, which allows us to observe young of the year from the most southern colonies (Senegal) in Fuente de Piedra and the Camargue.
Many of the wet areas frequented by flamingos in the southern Mediterranean are temporary and, in dry years, they move towards the salt flats located at great distances, with opposite or erratic movements (south-north) being observed during the August-October period.
Sometimes there have been movements over long distances caused by extreme weather conditions (cold waves).
In the Mediterranean, Northwest Africa and Southwest Asia, flamingos live in lakes. In many of these areas they are present throughout the year; in others they appear seasonally or erratically.
Fuente de Piedra and the flamingos of the Mediterranean and Northwest Africa.
Water in Mediterranean wetlands can disappear quickly; flamingos must always be willing to travel when food is gone.
It is not a migratory animal, but a nomad, because it goes where the conditions are favorable to it, making journeys that can exceed 1,000 kilometers without a stopover.
The movements of flamingos depend on their requirements throughout their life cycle in relation to food and reproduction.
The direction of the prenuptial movement is basically South-North and the season depends on the latitude where the breeding colonies are located. In Fuente de Piedra this period corresponds to February-April.
The time of postnuptial dispersal depends on the beginning and duration of reproduction. The latitude determines the beginning in the breeding colonies and the dispersion of the young ones. Flamingos breed every year in a few localities, which allows us to observe young of the year from the most southern colonies (Senegal) in Fuente de Piedra and the Camargue.
Many of the wet areas frequented by flamingos in the southern Mediterranean are temporary and, in dry years, they move towards the salt flats located at great distances, with opposite or erratic movements (south-north) being observed during the August-October period.
Sometimes there have been movements over long distances caused by extreme weather conditions (cold waves).
In the Mediterranean, Northwest Africa and Southwest Asia, flamingos live in lakes. In many of these areas they are present throughout the year; in others they appear seasonally or erratically.
The Fuente de Piedra Lagoon is unique because of its large size, shallow waters, geographical location and high salinity. It is important on an ecological, cultural, didactic and scientific level.
It is part of a network that allows the connection between different natural areas, contributing to the conservation, propagation and dispersion of animals.
It is nourished by direct rainwater and by the underground discharge of aquifers whose natural outlet is through evaporation. Its water level is very much determined by the climatic conditions of each moment.
The Lagoon has more or less long periods of drying out. There is also a great variation in the year-on-year distribution of rainfall so that some years it does not dry out in summer and in others it barely reaches 200 mm, partially flooding in a few months.
Its salinity is due to the dissolution of the abundant salts that exist in some of the oldest materials that compose the land where it is settled.
Fuente de Piedra is much more than a pond.
It is located in the middle of a typically rural landscape. Agriculture has altered the waterlogged areas and temporary lagoons in the surroundings without causing serious damage to the main basin of the lagoon.
It has undergone a lot of modifications during the 18th and 19th centuries, and the attempts to drain it in 1928 and 1969 which left a perimeter channel that retains fresh water and dikes, the remains of which form islets of great importance for plants and animals.
The Fuente de Piedra Lagoon is unique because of its large size, shallow waters, geographical location and high salinity. It is important on an ecological, cultural, didactic and scientific level.
It is part of a network that allows the connection between different natural areas, contributing to the conservation, propagation and dispersion of animals.
It is nourished by direct rainwater and by the underground discharge of aquifers whose natural outlet is through evaporation. Its water level is very much determined by the climatic conditions of each moment.
The Lagoon has more or less long periods of drying out. There is also a great variation in the year-on-year distribution of rainfall so that some years it does not dry out in summer and in others it barely reaches 200 mm, partially flooding in a few months.
Its salinity is due to the dissolution of the abundant salts that exist in some of the oldest materials that compose the land where it is settled.
Fuente de Piedra is much more than a pond.
It is located in the middle of a typically rural landscape. Agriculture has altered the waterlogged areas and temporary lagoons in the surroundings without causing serious damage to the main basin of the lagoon.
It has undergone a lot of modifications during the 18th and 19th centuries, and the attempts to drain it in 1928 and 1969 which left a perimeter channel that retains fresh water and dikes, the remains of which form islets of great importance for plants and animals.
5/
THE FUENTE DE PIEDRA LAGOON
5/
THE FUENTE DE PIEDRA LAGOON
The management of Andalusian wetlands ensures their future.
Wetlands are dynamic systems that change in response to the surrounding environment.
Their river basin is the reference space for their management, the aim of which is to ensure the conservation of their values and combine human activities (public use, research, ...) with their preservation.
Its ecological restoration consists of intervening in degraded wetlands to recover conditions similar to those initially experienced in order to compensate for the damage caused. In order to do so, they must consider the aspects involved in their functioning.
The management of Andalusian wetlands ensures their future.
Wetlands are dynamic systems that change in response to the surrounding environment.
Their river basin is the reference space for their management, the aim of which is to ensure the conservation of their values and combine human activities (public use, research, ...) with their preservation.
Its ecological restoration consists of intervening in degraded wetlands to recover conditions similar to those initially experienced in order to compensate for the damage caused. In order to do so, they must consider the aspects involved in their functioning.