The biosphere reserve covers 135 hectares of land on the coastal strip of the parish of Quarteira, and is crossed by two streams - the Fonte Santa or Almargem stream and the Carcavai stream.

“It is one of the important wetlands in the Algarve and, in terms of biodiversity, it has 214 species of autochthonous flora, nine natural habitats, 235 species of fauna, 137 species of avifauna, of which 26 are threatened, and 94 different species of insects ”, says a note sent to The Portugal News.

This classification will be “essential to establish specific measures on the climate, especially in terms of protecting biodiversity”, highlighted the councillors in the same note.

Subsequently, the document will be submitted to the public appreciation, which will allow citizens to make some suggestions for the protected area. At the same time, another procedure begins for the elaboration of the Management Regulations for the Foz do Almargem and Trafal Local Nature Reserve.

In addition, “this classification will allow the protection and valorisation of natural resources and natural ecosystems, safeguarding local biodiversity as well as the preservation of landscape and cultural and social assets”, they said.

According to the council: “Thus, the goals of this natural reserve are to improve the knowledge on this area, aiming at the conservation and recuperation of ecosystems; promotion of natural and cultural assets, supporting educational and scientific practices that lead to environmental education; commitment to monitoring species and habitats and hydrological, biophysical, climatic, geological, ecological and socioeconomic processes; promotion of spatial planning and sustainable use of the territory in terms of tourism, sports and leisure; or even boost the economy and develop the region, in a balanced and sustainable way, helping the local communities whenever possible”.