Alaior’s terrain and the flora and fauna within it are distinguished by magnificent ravines and wetlands. With the majority of the geology in the southern section of Menorca made up of white limestone, the tapestry of extinct streams and descents dipping down from north to south of the island make Alaior and its surroundings one of the most attractive places to enjoy nature. The island being declared a Bisophere Reserve in 1993 has conserved these stunning areas as natural and non-residential.
Nature in Alaior
Ravines, dunes and Mediterranean woods
The Eularieta temporary reservoir
A creation to attract new life
This temporary reservoir was created artificially as part of the awareness actions within the LIFE BASSES project. It has a waterproof substrate in a setting with aquatic environments of different types that have boosted the colonisation of other associated organisms.
Cala en Porter mouth
Where fresh water meets the sea
Embalse litoral permanente de agua dulce, excavada en la desembocadura del torrente de Cala en Porter, que recoge las aguas de la cuenca más extensa de Menorca. La balsa se encuentra encajada por las paredes del barranco y presenta una forma longitudinal, marcada por la sinuosidad de la parte terminal del barranco. La laguna también recibe aportaciones de agua marina, ya que se comunica con el mar por un canal. En el margen oeste del último tramo del barranco se localizan cultivos de regadío, sobre terrenos ganados a las marismas. El margen oriental se encuentra totalmente artificializado.
Prat de Son Bou
The second most important wetland in Menorca
A semi-permanent coastal lagoon fed by the fresh waters of the Sa Vall and Es Bec ravines located to the west, and the Son Bou ravine located to the east. There is a small inlet of seawater seeping in through the dune cordon that separates it from the sea and also during storms, when the waves reach the marsh area through two gorges located in the central part of the beach. But most of the water that feeds the wetland is freshwater and comes from the Es Migjorn Gran aquifer, the most important one in Menorca. The Son Bou meadow covers an area of 80 hectares and does not reach an average depth of 50cm, with uniform vegetation and scarce free water. Rice was cultivated there between 1946 and 1963.
Dune system at Son Bou
A unique dune system on the island
This dune system stands out for two reasons: its great length and the fact that it is one of the few on the island with the lie of the dunes running parallel to the coast while being transversal to the dominant wind direction.