What is This Beautiful Mountain Range?

 INTRODUCTION   

What may seem like a lifeless area, a place where no human wants to set foot on or even think about because of its drastic cold weather, is actually a region where biodiversity runs in every direction. The tundra, an ecosystem where the word itself seems as cold and harsh as its actual area, is surprisingly a haven for all sorts of plants, animals, and adventure. Among the numerous places that contains this tundra habitat is the famous Pyrenees of Europe. This mountain range falls under the category of the Alpine Tundra, the type of tundra that holds mile-high mountains and the freezing snow. Showcasing 3,500 species of plants with about 200 of them being endemic (1), this place is not to be overlooked. The Pyrenees is a landmark of Europe that every child learns about and wishes one day to set foot on this historical site. The question then becomes, what is so special about the Pyrenees? The answer, whether you know it or not, is that this mountain range contains one of the highest biodiversity rates ever but is slowly being degraded through human impacts. If humans do not reverse this trend, a whole platoon of rare wildlife will disappear even before we notice their existence.

The Beauty that is the Pyrenees

HISTORICAL STATE

            Southwest Europe is the home of these Pyrenees Mountains and home of one of the diverse alpine tundra in the world. It runs along a 270-mile stretch passing the infamous countries of Europe – France and Spain, touching the borders of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Not considering the present human impacts and conditions, there are many ways to describe the beauty that is the Pyrenees. There are six different vegetation zones where at the lower heights, “Prepyrenees”, there are Mediterranean plants present and the higher you go, the more tundra it becomes (2). The highest mountain range reaches 3,400 meters and makes the Pyrenees the second highest mountain range in Europe before the Alps of Switzerland. The Alpine tundra ranges from rocky slopes, canyons, high summits of more than 3,000 m made of luxurious granite.This mountain range is divided into three areas. The West is affected by the humid Atlantic. The Central is colder. The East is affected by Mediterranean. These factors have always stayed the same as well as the climate throughout history (1). There is a distinct wide difference between the climates of the Spanish side and French side. The ocean plays a big role in the North. The east was and is surprisingly very humid. There is 2000 hours of sunshine and a little over 25 degrees Celsius during most of the sunny time in the Midi-Pyrenees area. Around the July/August time is when the sunshine appears. The average temperature is around 19 degrees Celsius (3).

The different layers of the Pyrenees with Alpine soaring high up

            Apart from its rich history, the Pyrenees holds a variety of wildlife that makes the range very significant. Depending on the elevation of the mountain range, there will be mixed types of plants and animals. Focused on the alpine tundra, around the tops of the mountains, there are mixed beech, silver fir, mountain pine, snowbed willow, and alpine sandthorn/meadows surrounding the area. Around this area, there are needled conifers (4). Mountain pines are greatly present in the northern areas

Snowbed Willow

Alpine Sandthorn

These conifers differ from the Mediterranean sub-alpine areas of the Pyrenees. The needled conifers do not need plenty of water. However, in the lower half of the mountain, it is easily possible to locate a Mediterranean atmosphere such as evergreen and deciduous species. 3,500 vascular plants can easily be spotted, with around 200 endemic species. 64 species of mammals and 125 species of birds can also be found. Carnivores used to run through the mountain range. 

The Marmot is and endemic species
of the Tundra

The wolf, lynx, and brown bear were common but now extinct or endangered megafauna. The desman and mole family has been reintroduced but slowly diminishing as well. The marmot and a few raptor species were distinct members of the Alpine Tundra but only a few of them remain The Southern Pyrenees actually is now a safe haven for some existing fauna that were not bullied by human development and populations (1). However, the human impacts to some of these areas are now making that not possible. As stated, the areas of the Pyrenees are diverse, full of wildlife, but everything is slowly diminishing. There have been many extinct megafauna and a slowly disappearing rate of plants.

HISTORY

Location of the Pyrenees among other historical sites

From coast to coast, the range offers a wide variety of regions but also has a unique historical significance about itself. First of all, these mountains provide a border between historical counties. The mountains become a barrier between France and Spain. This border provides the territory in which Spain and France controls. Geographically in the map, it is easily spotted that France controls the North and Spain the South. It also serves as a barrier between Spain and Portugal. This barrier also blocks these two countries away from the majority of Europe and more close to Africa. 

View of the Pyrenees from France

This blockade served as an ally for both of these countries to gain a relationship more with Africa than with Europe.

View of the Pyrenees from Spain

Thus the Spanish used these mountains to their advantage, used by their fleets invading Moors and pilgrims.  The impacts of these mountains were so large that a treaty had to be formed in 1659 that gave France a part of the Mountain that reached out the coast. These mountains also border many smaller lakes. These smaller lakes provide the essential water for different countries especially France (2). Thus, the significance of these mountains provides a unique underlying value that might be overlooked.

HUMAN IMPACT

            The tundra contains a vast amount of wildlife but is unfortunately too good to be true. Although many areas still have wildlife, most have low populations, most of which are endangered species. These areas are found in the high slopes of the Pyrenees. The reason for the decline is evident in the various human activities that damage the populations of both plants and animals. Unfortunately, human activity, soil erosion, and increase in sediments gave this biome a “bad” status. It is not “ugly” but it is not really good. Thus, the Pyrenees tundra is in a “vulnerable” state. The tundra is a great place for human activity because the alpine mountains are one of the many unique places that contain this severely cold weather. 

The Alpine Tundra is home to many ski resorts

They take advantage of this area through creating ski runs, winter tourism resorts, and hotels. To create these tourism resorts, road construction is necessary. Road construction however is leading to extinction of many species especially Spanish brown bears. Logging is very common in this area as it provides the timber and roads necessary for selling and daily activities. Air pollution comes from certain power stations that are needed to generate electricity around the area. This affects bird populations and different plant species. A lot of the water nearby is affected with timber cutting and are used to harness waterpower. Flooding does occur once in awhile. Sediments travel to different places that both harm wildlife and the water. Extirpation of certain animals occurs (5). Fire from burning of forests in the area also affects the biome.  

Over-Grazing is one of the worst problems in the Pyrenees

There is a great amount of oil found in the Pyrenees and a lot of pipes and drilling occur in these areas that also affect the wildlife. (6) There has been a reduction of glaciers due to climate change as well (7) All these things combine to lessen wildlife in this region. Humans use the tundra areas to its full potential knowing other humans do not live in these areas. The effects of what is created may be very enjoyable, but the underlying effect is the decrease in the rare wildlife found in these tundra regions especially the Pyrenees. There is much debate on sedimentation and livestock grazing. There is a lot of grazing that was observed around the Western Pyrenees area. The overgrazing causes soil erosion and affects the animals because of fencing. There is a study that shows as the number of coal and pollen arise, the number of plants and animals are also in the decline (8). There is a steady decline in the grazing as some laws are trying to be passed to stop this. There are currently a few protected areas that the governments decided to set up, Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in Spain, the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in Spain as well, the Pyrénées National Park in France, and the Posets-Maladeta National Park also in Spain (9). 

An IUCN member organization is working to save the Iberian Lynx.

These areas are looking great as they are trying to save as much of the wildlife they can. Some humans are trying to reverse their own negative impacts. One group is taking a big step forward trying to impact the Pyrenees lands. Fundació Caixa Catalunya realized that nothing is being done to protect some of the areas in the Pyrenees that are in serious danger. Thus, this IUCN member organization in 2010 has bought 7,834 hectares of land to protect certain species. These species include the Iberian lynx, brown bear, and monk seal, all in danger to go extinct soon (10).

TABLE #1: Graph shows as charcoal, sedimentation, and pollen grow (E),
the number of animals and plants decline (B and C) ... From source (8)

ACTIVITY	IMPACT	WHO GETS AFFECTED
Adding Ski Resorts and Hotels	Taking up more space of the Alpine Tundra part of the Pyrenees	The animals and plants that used to live in this area has to move out of their comfort zone in order to appease the construction of these resorts
Over-Grazing	Addition of pollen and coal	Plants and animals around the area of over-grazing
Pollution and Use of Land for Power	Adds chemicals to the air harmful to the area	Animals around the area, but birds most especially
Flooding and Sedimentation	Affects the water and pollutes it with dirty materials; the land absorbs these chemicals during the floods.	Fish in the bodies of water surrounding the mountain range; crops that are flooded
Road Construction	Reduction of the area that certain wildlife uses as shelter.	Affects the wildlife that used to live there; affecting many brown bears.

TABLE #2: Another table showing the impacts of some human activities in the Pyrenees

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Without limiting resorts like Pla Del Mir, the Alpine Tundra
will continually receive abuse

         The future can go two ways. It will be bright if and only if they continue to do the certain things they are trying to do to conserve the ecosystem. However, if they continue to counter these conserving ways with over-grazing, logging, and the most deadly, using land for different buildings, hotels, and resorts, things will get worse and the status will move from “bad” to “ugly”. Based on the research given, it is believable that the ecosystem will actually get worse. The number of species is declining. There are not enough protected areas and even worse, resorts and hotels are springing up left and right. The number of species and available land will only dwindle. Based on my research, there is not only one human impact that affects these areas. 

The Pyrenees need more protected areas
like Ordesa in Mexico

There are numerous problems and the probability that we can prevent every single problem is very slim. It is true a significant change will occur if we can protect some species, but if logging, building, pollution, and sedimentation is not prevented, then the con’s will just outweigh the pro’s. This will lead to a net of zero and the impact will remain the same. In one’s opinion, if this is the case, the likely future prospect is either the tundra will remain the “bad” and “vulnerable” status or move to the “ugly” state. There are reports of laws passed about protecting certain species, controlling grazing, and limiting the amount of building construction. This is a good first step in trying to reverse this downward trend. However, there are no reports of controlling the other factors mentioned in the “Human Impacts” section. If they do not take a step forward in controlling the other factors, then the Pyrenees might be in for a decline.

DONE TO IMPROVE

         The first and foremost step for success is to educate the citizens of France and Spain. These inhabitants of the Pyrenees must understand how important these mountains were to both the history of the two countries and the significance of the wildlife. This place contains endemic species that are not known to many individuals. If people start realizing how important and vital these mountains are, many will find ways to assist the slow growth of improvement. Just take a look at the organization Fundació Caixa Catalunya who’s trying to improve the life in the Pyrenees after being informed. This is the first step. After being informed, the next step is protecting more of the endangered species by increasing protected areas.

Organizations should model the Fundacio Cixa Catalunya
to save more species like the Brown Bear.

If it’s possible to move all these species away from where the trouble is, the Pyrenees can slowly regain that large population of wildlife and hopefully their endemic population can do the same. By isolating these species to protected areas away from logging, sedimentation, pollution, etc. they can find ways to produce and increase the wildlife. Third, the countries around the Pyrenees need to continue making important laws that limit over-grazing and building. These are the two worst human impacts on the ecosystem. If measures are taken to prevent these, a much healthier ecosystem will arise. The governments also need to foresee the other harmful effects as well and find a way to decrease their negative impacts. It is vital to save the Pyrenees. What might not be seen in other places can be found in this historical mountain range. Thus, preservation is vital.

Sources:

(1) Regato, Pedro. "Southwest Europe: In the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain, France, and Andorra." Wildlife Conservation, Endangered Species Conservation. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa0433>.

(2) "Pyrenees." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/484820/Pyrenees>.

(3) "France Tourism Agency in South Africa: Your Travel Guide to France." France Tourism Agency in South Africa: Your Travel Guide to France. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://za.franceguide.com/Climate-in-Midi-Pyrenees.html?NodeID=1>.

(4) "Pyrenees Discovery : TREES AND SHRUBS." Pyrenees Discovery : TREES AND SHRUBS. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.pyrenees-decouverte.com/en/faunes/arbres/>.

 (5) Garcia-Ruiz, Jose M. "Historical Geomorphic Processes and Human Activities in the Central Spanish Pyrenees." Mountain Research and Development 18.4 (1998): 309-20. Print.

(6) Thorsell, J. "Pyrenees- Mont Perdu (Spain/France)." World Heritage Nomination- Iucn Technical Evaluation Jul. 1996: n. pag. Web. <http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/773bis.pdf>.

(7)"Assessing Climate Change Impacts in the Pyrenees."European Environment Agency (EEA). N.p., 7 Oct. 2011. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/assessing-climate-change-impacts-in>.         

(8) Galop, DiDier. "Grazing Activities and Biodiversity History in the Pyrenees: New Insights on High Altitude Ecosystems in the Framework of a Human-Environment Observatory." Science Highlights: Integrative Paleoscience 19.2 (2011): 53-55. Web.

(9)"Pyrenees Occidentales National Park - Core Area." ProtectedPlanet. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://protectedplanet.net/sites/662>.

(10) "UICN - Union Internacional Para La Conservacion De La Naturaleza." IUCN. N.p., 15 Dec. 2010. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.iucn.org/es/noticias/noticias_por_region/mediterraneo_news/?6690/Buying-land-to-save-the-species-of-Spain>.