The Annotated Ramsar List: Andorra

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

ANDORRA / ANDORRE

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Andorra on 23 November 2012. Andorra presently has 1 site designated as a Wetland of International Importance, with a surface area of 1,080 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Parc naturel de la vallée de Sorteny (Parc natural de la vall de Sorteny). 23/07/12; Ordino; 1,080 ha; 42°37'08"N 001°34'48"E. Natural Park, National Hunting Reserve. A high mountainous site in the Pyrenees (up to 2,915m altitude), consisting of humid meadows, alkaline fens, bog woodland, several pools and a small alpine lake. The site offers habitat to several rare species of flora and fauna including Common Saw-wort Saussurea alpina and several species of amphibians and reptiles. It is also the most Eastern site known for Aurelio's rock lizard Iberolacerta aurelioi which has a very restricted distribution range and is endemic to the Pyrenees. The site is used by several invertebrates, especially by butterflies such as Parnassius apollo. It is important for the provision and purification of water as well as for the general hydrological balance of the area. In terms of cultural heritage the site contains remains of constructions related to traditional activities of iron mining and livestock breeding, the latter still practiced today. The site is also increasingly used for tourism and recreation as well as for research. The park contains a visitor's centre, a botanic garden and interpretational trails, and has a very illustrative website. Ramsar Site number: 2071. Most recent RIS information: 2012.