MaB Redes

Biosphere reserves are sites recognized under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme, which innovate and demonstrate approaches to conservation and sustainable development. They are of course under each country's jurisdiction, yet share their experience and ideas nationally, regionally and internationally within the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. There are 553 sites worldwide in 107 countries.

Water has been the sculptor of impressive landscapes in the Redes Biosphere Reserve, shaping the land through glacier movements, fluvial and torrential erosion and karstic processes. In the region of Asturias, where water is ever-present, this protected area is especially significant. In fact El Nalón, a major river of Asturias, springs from its source here. Woodlands carpet over 60% of the protected area  beech, oak, alder, birch, holly, yew and ash  and nearly one third of these forests are considered to be old-growth. Endangered plant species, such as the Killarney fern (Trichomanes speciosum), thrive in the cool shade of the woodlands, while the abundant animal life here includes significant species such as the chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva), the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the otter (Lutra lutra), two types of bats (Miniopterus schreibersi and Miniopterus emarginatus) and the rare capercaille (Tetrao urogallus), a protected bird of special interest.