The first newly designated Ramsar site, Pateira de Fermentelos Lake and Águeda and Cértima Valleys, contains one of the largest freshwater lakes of the Iberian Peninsula, and supports populations of migratory and threatened bird species.
The second site, Vascão River, includes the biggest river without artificial interruptions in Portugal, and supports high concentrations of threatened species.
5 December 2012: The Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) has reported that the Government of Portugal has designated two new Wetlands of International Importance, bringing that country’s total to 30 Ramsar Sites.
According to the Ramsar Secretariat, the first site, Pateira de Fermentelos Lake and Águeda and Cértima Valleys, contains one of the largest freshwater lakes of the Iberian Peninsula, and supports populations of migratory and threatened bird species. The wetland plays an important role in groundwater recharge, flood control, sediment trapping and maintenance of water supply. Threats to the site include: intensive farming; cattle raising; and contamination of water and soils by industrial and urban infrastructures.
The Ramsar Secretariat reports that the second site, Vascão River, includes Portugal’s biggest river without artificial interruptions (such as dams or reservoirs) and supports high concentrations of threatened species. The site plays an important role in flood regulation, underground water infiltration, and stabilization of different hydrological processes. Recreational activities and environmental education are carried out on the site, which is threatened by the lack of sewage treatment plants in the adjacent villages and invasive species.
Portugal’s designations contribute to one of the goals contained in the Ramsar Convention’s Strategic Plan for 2009-2015, which is to reach a protected area of 250 million hectares by 2015. [Ramsar Press Release]