River Eo, Oscos and Terras de Burón

The Biosphere Reserve of Río Eo, Oscos and Terras de Burón was declared as such by UNESCO in 2007, making it the first community to be so designated outside the network of protected natural areas. It is also the first to be shared by two autonomous communities, Asturias and Galicia.

This Reserve covers seven Asturian municipalities and encompasses a total of 1,600 square kilometres, in which approximately 34,000 inhabitants live. These territories are united and linked by the river Eo and its mouth.

This area has a wide variety of landscape units. In addition, its rich natural heritage associated with the mouth of the Eo and the valleys of the river basins that form the backbone of its space, allows you to enjoy beautiful beaches and steep cliffs. The optimal conservation of its forest formations are a good representation of the western Cantabrian mid-mountains, and no less important is the ethnographic and architectural wealth of the area.

In its declaration as a Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO recognises the work of the area's inhabitants in favour of sustainable development, which favours growth while respecting the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic diversity. This is an area framed by territories that have suffered the consequences of centuries of secular isolation, but which have been able to overcome thanks to the good use of opportunities for the development of pioneering projects in the international sphere, sustainability and rural tourism; all of this, together with its natural and environmental values, its landscape values, its economic activities and its cultural and ethnographic heritage, has allowed this area to continue advancing in orderly and sustainable progress and development. The landscape values of this area are undeniable, but above all its historical trajectory of social and economic action, as well as its heritage conservation, stand out.

The undeniable natural beauty of the Principality is evident in its five territories recognised as Biosphere Reserves, and in the fact that a third of its territory - 340,000 hectares - has some form of conservation status.

Plant life

Of its rich and varied flora, the magnificent conservation of its forests stands out above all, thanks to the scarce communications that this area has had.

Of particular note are the sessile oak groves (they can withstand drier soils and are often found in hybrid form together with the sessile oak), the chestnut, birch and pine groves, as well as the mixed hardwood forests, mainly made up of oak, chestnut and birch trees.

The riverside woods, made up of alder, willow and ash trees, as well as maple and hazelnut trees, also occupy an important space.

Other protected species such as holly and yew also appear in this natural area. Wild cherry, walnut and laurel trees complete the flora of the area. Among the shrub or bush species, broom, heather and strawberry trees stand out.

Wildlife

Wild boar, fox and roe deer are the most representative animals in this area of western Asturias, but small mammals such as otters, martens, martens, martens, civet cats, badgers and weasels are also very common in its forests, especially in areas with streams and rocky areas. Birds of prey such as the common buzzard, the bee-eater sparrowhawk and the common kestrel are the most common birds that fly over these skies.