Flora
The Natural Park is home to a wide variety of different ecosystems: cliffs, forests, caves, farmland, rocky outcrops, terraces, rivers, towns… This enormous diversity of spaces, together with the geological and meteorological characteristics of the environment, así́ and the respect that people have had for this space over the years, have allowed nature to flourish in the Sierra de Mariola in many ways.
Only as far as flora is concerned, within the limits of the Natural Park at least 1200 different species of plants have been identified, some of which have found Mariola to be the only place in which they can thrive in the Valencian Community, or even in the world.
Mariola’s forests are mainly pine, the result of its easy prosperity after fires, as fire is a key link in the Mediterranean environment. In addition, we find mixed forests of kermes oaks and deciduous trees, which find in the mountains one of the few points where they thrive in these latitudes. In the municipality of the same name we find the Teixera d’Agres, where the most southern yew forest in Europe still remains.
In addition, the variety of bushes and aromatic plants present in the Sierra Mariola give rise to a wide range of visual and olfactory qualities depending on the time of year you visit the Park, as its flowers adorn all the landscapes. Many of these plants are part of the traditional recipe of the Herbero de Mariola, a traditional spirit based on aromatic herbs. One of the plants that composes it is the Mariola sage, famous for its numerous therapeutic properties and for being typical of this Natural Park.
Fauna
The fauna has also found its haven of peace in this mountain range, and within the Natural Park we can find an enormous variety of animals, from small insects to large mammals and birds of prey.
The bush areas are home to numerous species of reptiles, while in the rivers we can find water turtles, crayfish, fish, amphibians and water birds without too much difficulty. In the forests many migratory birds find a place to rest, and others build their nests allí́: in fact, the variety of birds is enormous. Up to 120 different species can be found throughout the year.
On the rocks near the Barranc del Cint, the Griffon Vultures that were reintroduced by the Canyet project have found the only place to nest for hundreds of kilometres, after many years of being extinct. In Canyet de les Pedreres de Sant Cristòfol the vulture is established, where they are fed and can be observed together with many other scavengers from an observatory.
In the depths of the forest, we can not only find wild boars, ruins or eagle owls: in this Natural Park there is the only known population of red foxes with completely black fur, the result of a genetic variation. Will you be lucky to see a black fox?
It is essential to understand the enormous variety and richness of living beings that have survived until today in the Sierra de Mariola, the result of the protection of this mountain range and its environment for many years. Therefore, we must respect the wildlife and try to disturb it as little as possible.
