Natural Park of El Fondo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids El Fondo |
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Natural Park of El Fondo as seen from Crevillent.
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| Location |  Spain |
| Area | 2.495 ha |
| Designation | Natural Park |
| Established | 12 December 1988 |
| Governing body | Generalitat Valenciana |
| Official name: Pantano de El Hondo | |
| Designated: | 5 December 1989 |
| Reference #: | 455 |
The Natural Park of El Fondo (which means "The Deep" in English) is a special place in the south of Spain. It's found near the towns of Elche and Crevillent. This park is a wetland, which means it has lots of water, like marshes and lagoons.
Two rivers, the Vinalopó and the Segura, flow into the lagoons here. El Fondo is very important for nature. It's listed as a protected wetland by the Ramsar convention. This means it's recognized worldwide for its importance. It's also a Special Protection Area for birds under European Union rules. The park covers about 2,495 hectares. It became a Natural Park on December 12, 1988.
Contents
What El Fondo Looks Like: Land and Weather
This natural park has many lagoons. The two biggest ones are man-made. They are called Levante and Poniente. Levante is about 450 hectares, and Poniente is even bigger at 650 hectares. Water from the Segura River fills these two large lagoons.
Long ago, El Fondo and the nearby Salinas of Santa Pola were part of a huge lagoon called the Albufera of Elche. The Romans knew it as "Senus Illicitanus." In the 1600s, people started filling in parts of this area. They used mud and dirt to create new land for farming. At the same time, they built dams around the two largest lagoons. This was to save water for watering crops.
The park has a dry Mediterranean climate. This means it gets hot summers and mild winters. It doesn't get a lot of rain because it's in the southeast of Spain.
Plants of El Fondo
The park's habitats are quite similar, but you can find different plants depending on the water. Some areas have fresher water that is not very salty. Here, you'll mostly see plants like rushes and reeds. These grow well in deep, fresh water.
Other areas have saltier water. These pools have better quality water. Here, you'll find plants that love salt. Examples include sea lavender, shrubby seablight, and glasswort. These plants are typical of salt marsh areas.
Amazing Animals of El Fondo
The lagoons are home to many water animals. You can find eels, grey mullet, and fresh water shrimp. A very special fish here is the Spanish toothcarp. This fish lives only in the Spanish Mediterranean region.
But the most famous animals in the park are the birds! Many different bird species live here. The park is especially important for two types of ducks: the marbled duck and the white-headed duck. El Fondo has two of the largest groups of these ducks in the world.
During the time when birds lay eggs, many herons come to the park. You might see the purple heron, the night heron, and the squacco heron. Other birds you can spot include the avocet, the black-winged stilt, and the collared pratincole. Look for the crested coot, the European penduline tit, and the moustached warbler too.
Birds of prey also visit El Fondo. These include the osprey and the marsh harrier. In winter, you might even see a greater spotted eagle. One eagle from Estonia has been spending its winters here since 2008!
How to Get to El Fondo
It's easy to visit the park! You can take the Alicante-Murcia motorway. There's an exit at Crevillent Station. This exit leads you right to the village of San Felipe Neri, which is close to the park.
See also
In Spanish: Parque natural de El Hondo para niños
