MaB Muniellos

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 the national jurisdiction of each country, 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.

The Biosphere Reserve of Muniellos offers an intriguing landscape of steep rugged slopes and dense vegetation. Located in southwestern Asturias, this protected area is part of a larger reserve known as Fuentes del Narcea-Degaña-Ibias Natural Park. One of the largest oak forests in all of Europe, with huge areas covered in Sessile oaks (Roble albar), Muniellos also has extensive beech forests, as well as birch, green oak, Pyrenean oak, holly and yew trees. All told, the reserve protects nearly 5.000 hectares of woodland. The park takes in three river valleys, where rushing water is present year round. In fact, a local saying claims that Muniellos has "as many streams as days in the year".

Animal species which inhabit the park include the brown bear (Ursus arctos pyrenaicus), wolf (Canis lupus), otter (Lutra lutra), Cantabrian chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva), capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) and a number of amphibians and reptiles such as the Cantabrian viper (Vipera seoanei) and Jeweled lizard (Lacerta lepida). The area's rich biodiversity has been maintained through ancient farming practises, including a unique system of transhumance, which has been in use here for centuries. Local villages still have an authentic atmosphere and marvellous local architecture characterized by grain barns (horreos) and shepherds' cabins (pallozas).