Natural Capital
One of the main assets of Las Lomas is without a doubt its privileged natural capital. This unique environment has marked the lives of those who have been part of the project since Mr. José Ramón Mora-Figueroa took over the management of the estate in the first half of the 20th century. The richness of the landscape and the diversity of flora and fauna provided by its lands make this place a true paradise. A natural space that has been preserved with great care and dedication for over more than seventy years. The conservationist vision of the founder and environmental awareness of the following generations have turned Las Lomas into an example of balance between development and caring for the environment. Complejo Agrícola Las Lomas is the current operator responsible for managing the natural capital. www.laslomas.org
Migres Foundation Environmental Impact Study
Floral richness: over 580 species of vascular flora
Faunal diversity: 281 species of vertebrates
Abundance of prey species of hunting interest: wood pigeons, ducks, turtledoves, partridges, pheasants, rabbits…
A great community of birds of prey: here you can see all great species of eagles in Europe
Exceptional richness and density of birds of prey: eagles, harriers, hawks, buzzards…
Wildelife Estates.
2020
Las Lomas receives the highest score for excellence in wildlife management, landscape conservation and promoting the biodiversity of its territory.
Forests
At Las Lomas, the forest land is divided into different formations such as the Masas Puras de Frondosas, with species such as wild olive trees, many of them centenary, and cork oak, from which high-quality cork is obtained. The coniferous forests have less representation, the stone pine being the main species and, on many occasions, are mixed with olive trees and cork oaks. The areas of the Ribera and Galeria Forests run alongside the Barbate river and next to the main canals. Here you can find leafy tarays, ash trees, poplars and eucalyptus. Special consideration is given to the Island Forests, expressly interspersed in the crops areas, to avoid large areas devoid of vegetation once the harvest is harvested. There are species such as the mastic, broom, wild olive, eucalyptus and poplar trees. There are also extensive pasture areas, created to provide food for the livestock. This varied habitat has become a place that provides refuge, a source of food and a nesting ground for various species of local bird life.
Water
Water, that vital element to which so much attention is paid at Las Lomas, is present throughout its entire surface in different forms: reservoirs, rivers and canals. There are two main reservoirs: Cabrahigos and Milagro, which, in their day, were created to cover the storage needs of water for irrigation. They are currently maintained within the estate for conservation purposes due to having become rich natural habitats. Aquatic birds such as the mallard, teals, chicks, coots, shovelers, red-crested pochards, herons, pile drivers and even flamingos coexist here. Under the surface, you can find barbels, eels, and several amphibians. The main river that runs through the estate, across thirteen kilometres, is the Barbate and it provides shelter to various species of aquatic birds and a rich variety of fish, eels, shrimp, pleiades, Galapagos tortoise, silverside, mullets and even otters. Many of them are considered bio-indicators and their presence confirms the excellent quality of these waters. Moreover, the extensive network of irrigation canals maintains a minimum level of water throughout the year and provides a very appealing space for numerous populations of mallard, spoonbills and herons, as well as a large number of amphibians and fish.
Biodiversity
The richness of biodiversity at Las Lomas has its greatest exponent in the bird life that crosses its skies, both due to the variability of the species and the number of individuals that make up any of these populations. Up to one hundred and fifty species of different birds are found in the different habitats of Las Lomas. Many of them are migratory as the geographical location of the estate offers them a safe place to prepare before crossing the Gibraltar strait towards the African continent. It is worth mentioning the birds of prey that, on their migratory routes, stay in these quiet lands. They find a lot of food here: partridges, pheasants, pigeons and rabbits. Among the most important is the Imperial Eagle, a species with which the estate has participated for years in an ambitious recovery plan. Currently, several breeding pairs and juvenile specimens from other places can be seen in the area. The control of populations such as rabbits, pigeons and even mallards is also of vital importance. Special mention must be made to the management of the wild rabbit populations as part of the Life+ Iberlince Iberian Lynx conservation programme.
