From Loulé to Cacela Velha in Vila Real de Santo António, the Ria Formosa area is a protected lagoon landscape which was formed in large part by the 1755 earthquake and its dunes and islands continue to be shaped by tidal influences.

The park consists of a vast area of marsh (sapal), salt pans (salinas), creeks, dune islands and two freshwater lakes. In addition to nature, man has made an impact by creating canals and inlets through the islands which create something of a light barrier before the ocean greets the shore. The isles of Faro, Barreta, Culatra, Armona and Tavira form natural interludes between land and sea. Swathes of dunes lie closer to the land behind the isles and interspersed with dune and land is a labyrinth of lagoons, mud flats and canals.

Safe refuge

This valuable ecosystem was designated a Natural Park in December 1987 as it was under serious threat from building, sand extraction and pollution, all resulting from the rapid rise of tourism. Sixty kilometres of coastline and a full 18.400 hectares of the whole area came within the Natural Park’s remit. The park extends over five (out of a total of 16) Algarvean councils: Loulé, Faro, Olhão, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António.

This remarkably diverse area of international importance has an enormous variety of natural habitats providing refuge, feeding or breeding areas for an astonishing array of animal life, from zooplankton to fish, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, such as the otter. Low tide unveils further salty habitats. All life here has adapted to whatever food is available and to the various amounts of salinity. The preservation of the area is a prerequisite for survival for many species.

Wing and a prayer

The ecosystems’ diversity attracts many bird species which can choose between fresh water and salt water areas for breeding. Notable among the many is the purple gallinule (also swamphen or moorhen) or sultan chicken, which has been chosen as the symbol of the Natural Park. Known to breed only in the Ria Formosa and not found in any other part of Portugal, the sultan chicken, with its violet-blue feathers and bright red beak and legs, is rare and endangered. It reached near extinction when, it is told, Vale do Lobo (at the western end of the park) built a freshwater lake in order to irrigate its new São Lourenço golf course with the happy side effect of providing the gallinule with a passport to the future. Through protection, its population is growing steadily, although still small.

An important breeding area for wetland birds, the area is home to cattle egrets, red-crested pochard and purple herons amongst many others. Drier areas are inhabited by pratincoles and Kentish plovers.

Moreover, the population swells dramatically during the spring and autumn migratory periods when many winged visitors break their flights, some choosing to spend the winter there. Residents and visitors include the dwarf sea swallow, the grey plover, the tailor bird, the waders, the common hawthorn, the straight beaked kingfisher, ducks, water cocks, flamingos and some birds of prey such as the hunting kestrel.

More than 50 species of fish as well as little known crustaceans such as Monte Gordo shrimp, estuary shrimp and Moorish crab can be found. The waters are rich in shellfish while amphibians like toads and frogs as well as reptiles, such as woodland lizard, water snakes, snake mouse and chameleon are part of the Park’s fauna.

Ancient history

Phoenicians, Romans, Moors and Christians alike used the land and the sea and each left behind some evidence of their activities. Today the area surrounding the Park, and even parts of the Park’s waters, contributes to the region’s economy with salt farms, seafood farms harvesting mussels, clams, oysters and cockles. The shellfish is bred here and comprises 80 per cent of the nation’s mollusc exports. The port of Faro is also within the Park’s boundaries. Apart from fish and shellfish farming, salt panning and the activities of the port, all other human activities which could encroach on the park’s ecosystem are strictly controlled.