Nature in the Spanish Pyrenees
The Spanish Pyrenees stretch across Navarre, Aragon and Catalonia. They include two National Parks (Aigüestortes and Ordessa), and magnificent mountain areas. The flora and fauna are highly original, with many endemic species.
This section focuses on two distinct areas: Aigüestortes National Park and the Sierra de Guara.
Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park is the only National Park in Catalonia. It is located in the Encantats mountain range (province of Lleida). This splendid massif boasts some 200 alpine lakes. The forests of Pinus uncinata, which grow at high altitudes, give it a special charm. All the photos presented here were taken in the Vall de Boi region, a superb valley where nature is still well preserved.
The Sant Nicolau valley. A small river meanders through the forest on the flat floor of this valley. This emblematic spot gave its name to the National Park (Aigüestortes = “winding waters”). Unfortunately, the presence of cow herds is degrading the biological quality of the site, as they trample the wet meadows and peat bogs and pollute the water with their droppings.
The Llebreta lake. At an altitude of 1600 m, this lake with a well-developed aquatic vegetation marks one of the main entrances to the National Park.
The Gémena lakes. These lakes are located in a majestic setting, at an altitude of 2250 m.
The Sarradé lake. A superb lake with cold, pure waters, located in a little-frequented area.
Fauna
Amphibians
Family : Salamandridae
The Pyrenean brook salamander (Calotriton asper). This newt is quite large (up to 15 cm) and massive. Its color is gray or brown, sometimes with a thin light line on the back. The underside is orange. Calotriton asper inhabits alpine lakes and streams, often above 2000 m altitude. This protected species is endemic to the Pyrenees.
Pyrenean brook salamanders mating.
Reptiles
Family : Lacertidae
The Pyrenean rock lizard (Iberolacerta bonnali). Along with the Aran rock lizard (Iberolacerta aranica) and the Aurelio's rock lizard (Iberolacerta aurelioi), this lizard belongs to a genus of three species endemic to the high mountains of the Pyrenees. These three species have restricted, non-overlapping distributions. Living at very high altitudes, these lizards often have a very short period of activity. The Pyrenean lizard can be distinguished from the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), which can reach altitudes of up to 2,500 m, by the following criterion.
Distinction between the Pyrenean rock lizard (Iberolacerta bonnali, left) and the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis, right).
The common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). This handsome male adopts an intimidating posture, lowering his head and inflating his throat. Although it doesn't climb as high as the Pyrenean rock lizard (Iberolacerta bonnali), the common wall lizard can still reach altitudes of 2,500 m.
Insects
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Family : Lycidae
Lygistopterus sanguineus. This pretty little bright-red beetle is often seen visiting flowers belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is mostly found in mountains.
Lepidoptera (Butterflies)
Family : Nymphalidae
The Gavarnie ringlet (Erebia gorgone). This ringlet is endemic to the Pyrenees, where it is fairly widespread. The female (above) has whitish hindwings with light veins.
The Pyrenees brassy ringlet (Erebia rondoui). This ringlet is also endemic to the Pyrenees. It has two large white-pupilled and fused eye-spots on the forewing. It can be encountered at altitudes of up to 2700 m.
Boloria pales subsp. pyrenesmiscens. This subspecies is endemic to the Pyrenees. It can be found in alpine meadows at altitudes of up to 2500 m.
Orthoptera (Crickets and Grasshoppers)
Family : Acrididae
Omocestus antigai. This cricket frequents grasslands at high altitudes. The female, shown here, has very short elytra. Localized to the Pyrenean chain, this species is on the European red list as “endangered”.
Chorthippus saulcyi subsp. moralesi. This colorful species with short elytra is essentially Iberian in distribution.
The meadow grasshopper (Pseudochorthippus parallelus). This female can be identified by its short, pointed elytra. The meadow grasshopper frequents a wide range of habitats, with a preference for humid ones. It is found throughout Europe.
Cophopodisma pyrenaea. This beautiful, wingless species is distinguished by its brightly colored, predominantly green body. Endemic to the Pyrenees, it can be found in rocky meadows at altitudes of around 2000 m.
Family : Tettigoniidae
Synephippius obvius. This massive grasshopper has a distinctive quadrangular pronotum. Its color is generally green. It is endemic to the Spanish Pyrenees.
Flora
The species represented here are grouped by families, listed in alphabetical order. The definition of the families follow the phylogenetic classification APG IV (2016).
Family : Apiaceae
The Pyrenean eryngo (Eryngium bourgatii). This magnificent plant occurs in the Pyrenees. It often grows in meadows grazed by cows, at altitudes of around 1800 m.
Bupleurum angulosum. This plant has characteristic inflorescences. It grows on dry mountainous slopes. It is endemic to the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains.
Family : Gentianaceae
Gentiana burseri subsp. burseri. This large gentian with finely dotted yellow flowers is endemic to the Pyrenees. It is often found along lakeshores at altitudes of 2000 m and above. The similar Gentiana burseri subsp. villarsii is restricted to the southern Alps.
Family : Iridaceae
The English iris (Iris latifolia). This beautiful iris is endemic to the Pyrenees. It can form vast populations in mountain meadows at altitudes of around 2000 m.
Family : Liliaceae
The Pyrenean lily (Lilium pyrenaicum). Endemic to the Pyrenees, this magnificent lily resembles a yellow version of the red lily (Lilium pomponium) found in southeastern France. It thrives on slopes at the foot of rocky bars.
Family : Saxifragaceae
The Pyrenean saxifrage (Saxifraga umbrosa). This delicately colored species can be found along mountain streams, in rocky, shady places. It is native to the Pyrenees.
Fungi and Lichens
Fungi
Family : Sclerotiniaceae
The bog beacon (Mitrula paludosa). This very special fungus grows exclusively on decomposing pine needles in the water of streams and lakes. It is found mainly in Western and Northern Europe, as well as in North America.
Lichens
Lichens are astonishing organisms resulting from the association of a fungus (making up the bulk of the organism, providing water and mineral salts) and a green alga (or, more rarely, a cyanobacterium), which absorbs carbon dioxide and synthesizes organic matter through photosynthesis. Some 2500 species are found in France, with a remarkable diversity of textures, shapes and colors. Lichen identification, which often involves reaction to certain chemicals, is a specialist's job !
Family : Hymeneliaceae
Tremolecia atrata. This lichen forms beautiful orange rosettes on siliceous mountain boulders. It generally grows on metal-rich rocks.
This mid-range mountain range (maximum altitude 2070 m) in Aragon is not strictly speaking part of the Pyrenean chain, from which it is separated by a few dozen kilometers. However, some species typical of the Pyrenees can be found here. Conversely, other species that live here are found only in this massif. Well-known and popular for climbing and canyoning, the Sierra de Guara is also a wilderness of grandiose natural beauty, with a Natural Park status. Reconciling the objectives of tourism development with the protection of this fragile environment is a challenge!
Rio Mascun. This splendid limestone canyon is adorned with numerous spectacular rock formations.
Rio Alcanadre. This other magnificent canyon is very wild in its upper part as it is rather difficult to access.
Conglomerate cliffs at Vadiello. These rocks are composed of pebbles welded together by a natural cement. The rounded shape of the pudding rock cliffs is characteristic. With their numerous ledges, they are ideal for vulture nesting.
Fauna
Reptiles
Family : Lacertidae
The Catalan wall lizard (Podarcis liolepis). This lizard closely resembles the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis). It differs in several respects, such as the masseteric scale (the round scale behind the eye) which is small or absent, the temporal scales, which are small, numerous and all the same size, and the black spots under the mouth, which are well differentiated and never confluent. This lizard has a relatively restricted distribution, from northeastern Spain to the Cévennes in France.
The Algerian psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus). This lizard has a uniform brown body with four continuous white lines. It frequents all types of dry environments. It is found throughout the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa, and in France on the coastal strip from the Pyrénées-Orientales to the Rhône and as far as the Var department.
Family : Natricidae
The red-eyed grass snake (Natrix astreptophora). This aquatic snake closely resembles the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica), from which it can be distinguished by its orange iris. It is found in the Iberian Peninsula and extreme south-western France, as well as in North Africa.
Insects
Lepidoptera (Butterflies)
Family : Papilionidae
The Iberian scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides feisthamelii). This splendid butterfly replaces the scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) in the Iberian Peninsula and in extreme south-western France.
Coleoptera (Beetles)
Family : Carabidae
Green tiger beetles (Cicindela campestris) mating. Tiger beetles are voracious, fast-flying predators with excellent eyesight. They frequent open sandy environments. No fewer than three species live side by side in the canyons of the Sierra de Guara, the green tiger beetle being the most widespread. It is found throughout Europe as far as Russia.
Cicindela hybrida subsp. transversalis. This species has a very dark purplish body, with four white spots on each elytron. It is generally found near mountain rivers in the Alps and Pyrenees.
Cicindela hybrida subsp. transversalis.
The leopard tiger beetle (Lophyra flexuosa). This beautiful tiger beetle has a bronze-colored body, with broad white flexuous bands on the elytra. It thrives on sandy beaches near waterways. It is mainly found in southern Western Europe and North Africa.
Family : Curculionidae
Lixoglyptus spartii. This uncommon weevil lives on brooms. It is found in Portugal, Spain and southern France.
Flora
Family : Asparagaceae
The amethyst hyacinth (Brimeura amethystina). This plant with its delicate flowers often grows on scree. It is mainly found in the Pyrenees.
Family : Caryophyllaceae
Petrocoptis guarensis. This astonishing plant clings to the most vertical cliffs and even colonizes overhangs. It is endemic to the Sierra de Guara.
Family : Euphorbiaceae
The Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias). This large Mediterranean spurge is common on dry slopes. It is distinguished by its dark brown or black flowers.
Family : Fabaceae
Argyrolobium zanonii. This small plant with silvery leaves thrives in dry, rocky environments. It is found in the western Mediterranean Basin.
Family : Gesnieraceae
The Pyrenean-violet (Ramonda myconi). This highly original and spectacular plant blooms on canyon cliffs. It is endemic to the Pyrenees. It belongs to a family of five species in Europe, most of them native to the Balkans.
The Pyrenean-violet (Ramonda myconi).
Family : Papaveraceae
Sarcocapnos enneaphylla. This original species grows on limestone cliffs. It is found only in Spain, south-western France and North Africa.
Family : Plantaginaceae
Chaenorhinum origanifolium. This small plant thrives in sunny rocky areas. It is found in Spain, Portugal and France.
Family : Valerianaceae
Valeriana longiflora. This plant forms small clumps clinging to canyon cliffs. It is endemic to northeastern Spain.