Pinares de Doñana

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Lower Guadalquivir (SCI) (SCA)

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This Special Conservation Area (SCA) covers some 4,772 ha, mostly in the province of Seville. This site features prominently in the Andalusian Natura 2000 network owing to its special importance for the conservation of riparian habitats, certain fish species included in the Habitats Directive and, in general, the river ecosystem and the connectivity it provides as an ecological corridor. It has been designated by Europe as a Site of Community Interest (SCI) for its potential contribution to restoring natural habitats, including ecosystems and wildlife biodiversity.

The Alcala del Río Dam, located in the centre of Alcala del Río, was built in 1930 for hydroelectric purposes. It divides the middle and lower sections of the river. The latter is under tidal influence. As it passes through the town, the River Guadalquivir has areas with abundant riparian vegetation, such as reeds, bulrushes, oleanders, tamarisk (Tamarix africana) and white poplars.  The avifauna associated with the river is diverse, including different aquatic species such as Anatidae, Ralidae and Ardeidae. It is also possible to see other species such as cormorants. As for the fish fauna, although it used to be very diverse, it is currently more limited due to the dam mentioned above. Together with the another dam in Cantillana, it has contributed to the loss of some species and sharp population decline of others. This situation has primarily affected migratory species that breed in these areas. 

Access is free from the Loberilla Park or the A-8006 road towards El Viar.  Worthy of note are the recreational areas in the Loberilla Park.

The River Guadalquivir in La Algaba is quite broad, and its banks are lined with trees, in particular large white poplars.

Access is free. The River Guadalquivir can be reached from La Algaba via the A-431 road towards Seville. It can also be reached from Dorita la Algabeña Street, which runs parallel to the river. From this street, take the SE-3134 road that crosses the River Guadalquivir. 

Some sections of the river in La Rinconada have high scenic and ecological value, with abundant riparian vegetation and associated fauna. The predominant riparian plant species are the white poplar, willow, tamarisk (Tamarix Africana), elm, bramble, reed, bulrush and chestnut, with a few eucalyptus groves. These dense vegetation areas are home to a wide variety of waterfowl species from different groups.

The areas with the highest density of vegetation in the municipality of La Rinconada are La Lobera, Boca del Lobo, Barco del Puerto, El Valliscal and Toruño, to the north of San José de la Rinconada, the sections to the north and south of the urban area of La Rinconada, and the mouth of Doña María Stream. El Majuelo Park is located in the urbanised area of the river. This recreational area, located on the banks of the River Guadalquivir, boasts riparian vegetation and an area populated with native species. The Park is equipped with numerous facilities, including recreational areas, an environmental education centre, a jetty to access the river and practice water sports, and an astronomical observatory for educational purposes, one of two in the province.

The Majuelo Park can be accessed from La Rinconada via the Vado de Doña Luisa path and the Majuelo path. 

Facilities: El Majuelo environmental education centre, recreational area, botanical itineraries and an astronomical observatory.

The River Guadalquivir runs less than 2 km through Santiponce, in the easternmost part of the municipality. The riparian vegetation, predominantly poplar or white poplar, is limited to the banks. These areas serve as a shelter and nesting place for some bird species. The right bank is surrounded by crop fields, and the left bank is home to La Cartuja Olympic Stadium and the Alamillo Park. Although there are dirt roads on both sides of the river, it is advisable to use the riverside promenade.

The right bank of the River Guadalquivir can be freely accessed from the roundabout of Radio Televisión Española, on the SE-30 ring road, taking the exit that leads to the river. The left bank can be reached via the farm roads located next to the river.

The River Guadalquivir runs north to south along the eastern edge of the municipality of San Juan de Aznalfarache, with the town centre on the right bank. Given the enormous impact of human activity in this municipality, the only traces of natural vegetation left are on the banks, where there is still some riparian vegetation, albeit quite degraded. A cycling lane runs parallel to the river, which connects with the Seville Greenway via the Camas bicycle and bus bridge. The La Buhardilla Nature Centre, where educational and leisure activities for schoolchildren are developed, is nearby.

It can be freely accessed from the Barrio Bajo de San Juan de Aznalfarache through the streets perpendicular to the river.

The lower section of the River Guadalquivir runs for 4 km, north to south, through the municipality of Gelves. The town of Gelves and its marina stand on the right bank of the river, with a few wooded areas populated with white poplars. Another path runs parallel to the river from San Juan de Aznalfarache to the marina. Eucalyptus is the predominant tree species on the left bank. Passerine birds abound in the areas with lesser vegetation density, while the areas with greater density are populated with other bird species, such as the grey heron and little egret.

The right bank can be accessed via the A-8058 road from Seville to Coria del Río.

The River Guadalquivir borders a small part of the southeastern edge of the municipality of Palomares del Río, separating it from Dos Hermanas. Although the river still has some riparian forest cover, it is threatened by the river’s erosive action and croplands that continue to encroach on the area. The riparian vegetation is primarily white poplar groves, which are used by birds and small mammals as shelter.

It can be accessed from the A-8058 road towards Coria de Río, via one of the many farm roads to the left of the road.

The River Guadalquivir is the primary watercourse that crosses the municipality of Coria del Río, dividing the district into two very unequal areas, with the town on the right bank and most of the district on the left. Despite the considerable length of the riverbank within the municipality, riparian vegetation appears only in some areas, primarily reeds and bulrushes. However, there are some areas of riverside vegetation, with species such as white poplar, willow or tamarisk, near La Isleta and in the area where the river joins the Brazo del Este. On the right bank, which separates Coria from La Puebla del Río, is a place known as “El Bajo”, which was formerly used as a bathing area.

The right bank of the Guadalquivir can be accessed from Coria del Río.

Facilities: A green trail runs parallel to the River Guadalquivir from the mouth of the River Pudio to Coria del Río.

The River Guadalquivir runs along the western edge of the municipality of Lebrija. The other watercourses in the municipality, some of which are brackish, discharge into the Guadalquivir. On the banks of the Guadalquivir in Lebrija are covered in abundant riparian vegetation, including white poplar, ash, willow and eucalyptus, oleander, tamarisk (Tamarix africana), bramble, rockrose (Cistus salviifolius) and Ibero-African shrubby spurge (Flueggea tinctoria). As for the fauna, there are abundant bird species correlated with riparian vegetation, and fish species, such as carp, barbel, pike and eel. The La Señuela recreational area sits on the Guadalquivir’s banks, next to a chapel and a multipurpose building. The locals use this area for leisure and sports activities and environmental education.

It can be accessed from Lebrija via the A-8150 road, which turns into an unpaved track that joins the SE-9013 road that runs parallel to the Guadalquivir. Continue to the left.

Category
Others
Surface area
4772.00 Ha
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