Sierra del Sueve
Encyclopedia
The Sierra del Sueve is a limestone
massif
in the east-central coast of Asturias
, Spain
. It is located across the municipalities of northeast Caravia
, Colunga
in the northwest, Piloña
, Parres
and Ribadesella
to the east and south. The Regional Hunting Reserve Sueve also delimits the Sueve. Its proximity to the sea makes it not only unique, but also adds to its ecological value and natural elements conservation.
It is a protected landscape that runs parallel with both the Cordillera and the coast. Landscape characteristics include a calcareous
high contrast. In the westernmost section, shale
s, limestone, and sandstone
form smooth river valleys that contrast with the eastern section, which is dominated by quartzite
. In the central section, the limestone mountain of Cordillera del Sueve is the main relief
. Sinkhole
karst
are formed within the limestone relief, which is the dominant geomorphological
feature in the protected area of Sierra del Sueve.
There are two adjacent hills, the Sueve whose highest peak is the Picu Pienzu at 1161 metres (3,809.1 ft) above sea level
, and the El Fito (Fitu), a small mountain, with a peak of the same name. These mostly consist of limestone and quartzite
. The viewpoint at the peak of Fitu provides excellent vistas of the shallow coastal zone
from Caravia to Villaviciosa.
The climate is humid and rainy, with mild temperatures due to the proximity to the sea. At the summit, fog is abundant due to the sea effects. Wind is common.
, it retains some remnants of trees. Noteworthy is La Biescona, the beech
forest, north of the mountain and closest to the Asturian coast. In the mountainous outer zones, scattered between areas of scrub and meadows, there are small areas of chestnut trees and the remains of plantation pine and eucalyptus trees. However, the most notable forested area is in the far north. Here, the trees are clumped and dominated by holly (groves of Holly Ilex aquifolium and Espinera (Crataegus monogyna) while also containing other species such as ash (Fraxinus excelsior), beech, birch
, elm
, hazel
, maple
, yew (Taxus baccata
), Wild Pear (Pyrus Cordata) and bushes (Genista hispanica subsp. occidentalis). Farming areas and mountain grazing are also part of the landscape. Lastly, at the base of the mountain on its north side, there is a microclimate and an enclave of ferns whose distribution in such a non-tropical area makes them very rare, not only in Asturias but throughout Europe
. In the populated shores, ferns are present as a rare mattress ferns or helechilla and estando ambas (Trichomanes speciosum
); both the species are listed under the Catalogue Regional Threatened Flora.
Apart from the livestock, cows, goats, sheep, horses and ponies on the slopes of Sueve, other wildlife mammals include an abundance of fox, wild boar, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) Roe Deer
, and the Asturian horse breed of Asturcon
. Asturias
, found in the high mountains of Sierra del Sueve are rare species with black or bay colour but without any white pigmentation. It is a small breed that does not trot but moves with an easy gait, leading to its popularity as a "ladies' mount". The Romans
called this breed “asturcones”. This breed, which was facing extinction, has been protected by breed associations for further breeding. The deer species of Dama dama (female), which was reintroduced in the 1960s for hunting adopted well to the region and their population had to be often controlled. However, efforts to introduce male deer, the stag
(Cervus elaphus), was not successful and they moved away to other places in the eastern areas near Fito. Vertebrate
fauna are also a species of special concern. Also present here are the Alpine Chough
(Pyrrhocorax graculus), the golden eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos), cave bats (Miniopterus schreibersi) and reptiles such as the Mountain Lizard
(Iberolacerta monticola).
Birds of prey include the Egyptian Vulture
(Neophron percnopterus), listed as a Threatened Species.
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
massif
Massif
In geology, a massif is a section of a planet's crust that is demarcated by faults or flexures. In the movement of the crust, a massif tends to retain its internal structure while being displaced as a whole...
in the east-central coast of Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It is located across the municipalities of northeast Caravia
Caravia
Caravia is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. It is bordered on the north by the Bay of Biscay , on the south by Parres, on the east by Ribadesella and on the west by Colunga.-Geography:Caravia is the third smallest municipality of Asturias...
, Colunga
Colunga
Colunga is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. It lies on the Cantabrian Sea, and is bordered to the west by Villaviciosa, to the south by Parres and Piloña, and to the east by Caravia.- Politic :-Parishes:...
in the northwest, Piloña
Piloña
Piloña is a municipality in the province and autonomous community of Asturias, northwestern Spain. Its capital is the town of Infiesto. Piloña is bounded to the north by Villaviciosa and Colunga, to the east by Parres, to the west by Nava and Cabranes, and to the south by Ponga, Caso and Sobrescobio...
, Parres
Parres
Parres is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. It is bordered on the north by Caravia and Ribadesella, on the east by Cangas de Onís, on the west by Piloña and Colunga, and on the south by Amieva.-Parishes:...
and Ribadesella
Ribadesella
Ribadesella Ribadesella is a small municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Principality of Asturias, Spain. Known for its location on the Cantabrian Sea, as well as for the outlet of the River Sella, Ribadesella is a town that forms part of the Picos de Europa...
to the east and south. The Regional Hunting Reserve Sueve also delimits the Sueve. Its proximity to the sea makes it not only unique, but also adds to its ecological value and natural elements conservation.
Geography
The Sierra del Sueve is located in east-central area of Asturias. Covering an area of 81 square miles (209.8 km²), it is divided between the municipalities of Caravia, Colunga, Parres, Piloña, and Ribadesella. It can be accessed by road from Infiesto and Colunga by the AS-258; the AS-432 to La Torre; and also the N-632.It is a protected landscape that runs parallel with both the Cordillera and the coast. Landscape characteristics include a calcareous
Calcareous
Calcareous is an adjective meaning mostly or partly composed of calcium carbonate, in other words, containing lime or being chalky. The term is used in a wide variety of scientific disciplines.-In zoology:...
high contrast. In the westernmost section, shale
Shale
Shale is a fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock composed of mud that is a mix of flakes of clay minerals and tiny fragments of other minerals, especially quartz and calcite. The ratio of clay to other minerals is variable. Shale is characterized by breaks along thin laminae or parallel layering...
s, limestone, and sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
form smooth river valleys that contrast with the eastern section, which is dominated by quartzite
Quartzite
Quartzite is a hard metamorphic rock which was originally sandstone. Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression within orogenic belts. Pure quartzite is usually white to gray, though quartzites often occur in various shades of pink...
. In the central section, the limestone mountain of Cordillera del Sueve is the main relief
Relief
Relief is a sculptural technique. The term relief is from the Latin verb levo, to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is thus to give the impression that the sculpted material has been raised above the background plane...
. Sinkhole
Sinkhole
A sinkhole, also known as a sink, shake hole, swallow hole, swallet, doline or cenote, is a natural depression or hole in the Earth's surface caused by karst processes — the chemical dissolution of carbonate rocks or suffosion processes for example in sandstone...
karst
KARST
Kilometer-square Area Radio Synthesis Telescope is a Chinese telescope project to which FAST is a forerunner. KARST is a set of large spherical reflectors on karst landforms, which are bowlshaped limestone sinkholes named after the Kras region in Slovenia and Northern Italy. It will consist of...
are formed within the limestone relief, which is the dominant geomorphological
Geomorphology
Geomorphology is the scientific study of landforms and the processes that shape them...
feature in the protected area of Sierra del Sueve.
There are two adjacent hills, the Sueve whose highest peak is the Picu Pienzu at 1161 metres (3,809.1 ft) above sea level
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
, and the El Fito (Fitu), a small mountain, with a peak of the same name. These mostly consist of limestone and quartzite
Quartzite
Quartzite is a hard metamorphic rock which was originally sandstone. Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression within orogenic belts. Pure quartzite is usually white to gray, though quartzites often occur in various shades of pink...
. The viewpoint at the peak of Fitu provides excellent vistas of the shallow coastal zone
from Caravia to Villaviciosa.
The climate is humid and rainy, with mild temperatures due to the proximity to the sea. At the summit, fog is abundant due to the sea effects. Wind is common.
Flora and fauna
Though Sierra del Sueve manifests a high degree of deforestationDeforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
, it retains some remnants of trees. Noteworthy is La Biescona, the beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
forest, north of the mountain and closest to the Asturian coast. In the mountainous outer zones, scattered between areas of scrub and meadows, there are small areas of chestnut trees and the remains of plantation pine and eucalyptus trees. However, the most notable forested area is in the far north. Here, the trees are clumped and dominated by holly (groves of Holly Ilex aquifolium and Espinera (Crataegus monogyna) while also containing other species such as ash (Fraxinus excelsior), beech, birch
Birch
Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
, elm
Elm
Elms are deciduous and semi-deciduous trees comprising the genus Ulmus in the plant family Ulmaceae. The dozens of species are found in temperate and tropical-montane regions of North America and Eurasia, ranging southward into Indonesia. Elms are components of many kinds of natural forests...
, hazel
Hazel
The hazels are a genus of deciduous trees and large shrubs native to the temperate northern hemisphere. The genus is usually placed in the birch family Betulaceae, though some botanists split the hazels into a separate family Corylaceae.They have simple, rounded leaves with double-serrate margins...
, maple
Maple
Acer is a genus of trees or shrubs commonly known as maple.Maples are variously classified in a family of their own, the Aceraceae, or together with the Hippocastanaceae included in the family Sapindaceae. Modern classifications, including the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system, favour inclusion in...
, yew (Taxus baccata
Taxus baccata
Taxus baccata is a conifer native to western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia. It is the tree originally known as yew, though with other related trees becoming known, it may be now known as the English yew, or European yew.-Description:It is a small-...
), Wild Pear (Pyrus Cordata) and bushes (Genista hispanica subsp. occidentalis). Farming areas and mountain grazing are also part of the landscape. Lastly, at the base of the mountain on its north side, there is a microclimate and an enclave of ferns whose distribution in such a non-tropical area makes them very rare, not only in Asturias but throughout Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. In the populated shores, ferns are present as a rare mattress ferns or helechilla and estando ambas (Trichomanes speciosum
Trichomanes speciosum
Trichomanes speciosum commonly known as Killarney Fern is a species of fern found widely in Western Europe. It is most abundant in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Brittany and Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores, but is also found in other locations including France, Spain, Portugal and Italy.The...
); both the species are listed under the Catalogue Regional Threatened Flora.
Apart from the livestock, cows, goats, sheep, horses and ponies on the slopes of Sueve, other wildlife mammals include an abundance of fox, wild boar, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) Roe Deer
Roe Deer
The European Roe Deer , also known as the Western Roe Deer, chevreuil or just Roe Deer, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from...
, and the Asturian horse breed of Asturcon
Asturcón
The Asturcón is a pony from the Asturias region of northern Spain. The ancient breed's ancestry is not known, although it is thought to have been from crosses between the Sorraia, Garrano, and the ancient Celtic pony...
. Asturias
Asturcón
The Asturcón is a pony from the Asturias region of northern Spain. The ancient breed's ancestry is not known, although it is thought to have been from crosses between the Sorraia, Garrano, and the ancient Celtic pony...
, found in the high mountains of Sierra del Sueve are rare species with black or bay colour but without any white pigmentation. It is a small breed that does not trot but moves with an easy gait, leading to its popularity as a "ladies' mount". The Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
called this breed “asturcones”. This breed, which was facing extinction, has been protected by breed associations for further breeding. The deer species of Dama dama (female), which was reintroduced in the 1960s for hunting adopted well to the region and their population had to be often controlled. However, efforts to introduce male deer, the stag
STAG
STAG: A Test of Love is a reality TV show hosted by Tommy Habeeb. Each episode profiles an engaged couple a week or two before their wedding. The cameras then follow the groom on his bachelor party...
(Cervus elaphus), was not successful and they moved away to other places in the eastern areas near Fito. Vertebrate
Vertebrate
Vertebrates are animals that are members of the subphylum Vertebrata . Vertebrates are the largest group of chordates, with currently about 58,000 species described. Vertebrates include the jawless fishes, bony fishes, sharks and rays, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds...
fauna are also a species of special concern. Also present here are the Alpine Chough
Alpine Chough
The Alpine Chough , or Yellow-billed Chough, is a bird in the crow family, one of only two species in the genus Pyrrhocorax. Its two subspecies breed in high mountains from Spain east through southern Europe and North Africa to Central Asia, India and China, and it may nest at a higher altitude...
(Pyrrhocorax graculus), the golden eagle
Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagle is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. Once widespread across the Holarctic, it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas...
(Aquila chrysaetos), cave bats (Miniopterus schreibersi) and reptiles such as the Mountain Lizard
Iberian Rock Lizard
The Iberian Rock Lizard is a species of lizard in the Lacertidae family.It is found in Portugal and Spain....
(Iberolacerta monticola).
Birds of prey include the Egyptian Vulture
Egyptian Vulture
The Egyptian Vulture is a small Old World vulture, found widely distributed from southwestern Europe and northern Africa to southern Asia. It is the only living member of the genus Neophron. It has sometimes also been known as the White Scavenger Vulture or Pharaoh's Chicken...
(Neophron percnopterus), listed as a Threatened Species.