AN ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONED BY THE TAGUS RIVER

This landscape dominated by the regulated Tagus River exhibits the orderly aspect of the irrigated lands and forest repopulations, in contrast with the apparent disorder of the natural woodlands. The moving fauna and changing colors of the scrublands and pastures follow the course of the seasons.

The landscape around us is characterized by a specific geology:

• The terraced lands created by the river, previously used for orchards, now constitute productive irrigated fields.
• The bands of different colors speak to the distinct moments in the landscape’s evolution. Where today we see a hill, there once existed flat surfaces covered by bodies of water.
• The gypsum-rich soils have traditionally been used for cultivating esparto grass.
• The serial meanders of the rivers form on fast-flowing watercourses capable of eroding material from one bank and depositing it on the opposite side.
  Among the notable vegetation we find:
• Broom (Retama sphaerocarpa), almost the only shrub in overgrazed areas, bears witness to the livestock use of the zone.
• The kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) forms part of the natural vegetation adapted to the climate and soil.
• The Tagus riverside forest lost its maximum splendor when the waters were dammed.
• The slopes of Valquemado are covered by a repopulated pine forest.
  Amongst the fauna we can find:
• The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is one of the raptors that soars over the peninsula all year.
• The common genet (Genetta genetta) was introduced by the Arabs to keep their homes free of mice.
• Its completely black plumage and white beak and forehead make the Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) unmistakable.
• The elegant flight of the grey heron (Ardea cinerea) with its neck folded in is a common sight near the river.
• Where trout once leapt the swift waters, today the Iberian barbel (Barbus bocagei) inhabits the still currents.
• The corn bunting (Miliaria calandra) can be seen solitary in spring on elevated perches like this fence, and in flocks in the fields during winter.
• On loosely compacted soils with few trees, the Erythrian lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) finds its most suitable environment.
• The brimstone butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni) is one of the first to appear in spring.