ZEC Regata de Orabidea e turbeira de Arxuri – ES2200015

OVERVIEW

The Orabidea and Arxuri Turbeira Regatta SAC is located in the northernmost part of Navarre, beginning in the municipality of Baztan and ending in Urdazubi/Urdax. It features habitats of hygrophilous uceiras and well-preserved herbaceous formations, crossed by priority conservation streams. Most of it is located in the La Nivelle River basin, except for a small area, the Alkurruntz paraturbiferous zone, in the southernmost part, which flows into the Bidasoa River through the Antzalarte stream. Two main zones are observed in the area: limestone to the north, while slate and schist outcrops to the south and west.

The Orabidea River, with a considerable flow, flows into the Arxuri stream at its confluence in a wide area of deposited material, then narrows slightly as it descends toward Urdazubi/Urdax. The next confluence with the eastern branch produces no major changes, but these are noticeable as the valley opens out and reaches its final deposited material section.

Area (ha): 191,13 ha

Natura 2000 Code: ES2200015

Other protection statuses according to national or regional legislation:

Within the territorial scope of the SAC, other protection statuses are included in accordance with national or regional legislation. This area has its own Management Plan, approved by Regional Decree 48/2014, of June 11, which designates the Site of Community Importance “Orabidea Regatta and Arxuri Peat Bog” as a Special Area of Conservation and approves its Management Plan.

CURRENT SITUATION AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS OF THE PROJECT

Most of the SAC is occupied by deciduous forests (47%), although the area occupied by scrub and bushland (21%) and grasslands (mainly at lower altitudes) is also very significant, with a coverage of 10%. Also noteworthy is the high occupation of artificial forest plantations (17%). Finally, the SAC area is completed by cultivated areas (3%), other uses such as inhabited areas, etc. (1%), and the corresponding water table of the watercourses that make up the SAC (1%).

The land ownership regime is divided into 85.51% communal land and 10.04% private land. The remaining 4.45% corresponds to riverbeds, public roads and trails, and urban land.

In the context of the Navarre region, the Regata de Orabidea and Arxuri bog SAC is very important for the conservation of the hygrophilous sedges of THIC 4020*. It houses a considerable area (43.77 ha, 14.74% of the Natura Network). Compared to other LIFE GLOBAL priority habitats, the SAC hosts a negligible area of THIC 6230*. Only 1 ha of the THIC area has been allocated to it. The actions to be carried out in the Regata de Orabidea and the Arxuri bog SAC (ES2200015) will consist of improving the structure and future prospects by protecting habitats 4020* and 6230* from anthropogenic conditions.