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Ria Formosa is one of the most important weatlands of the Portuguese territory. Its rarity and ecological value led to the creation of the Ria Formosa Natural Park (law-Decree 373/87, 9th December). Ria Formosa hosts a remarkable diversity of habitats and biodiversity. It is of fundamental importance for several species of migratory birds and, some species in decline find here the optimal conditions for nesting. This is
the case of the species Porphyrio porphirio that is the symbol of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Due to protective measures of this species, its population has increased in recent years.
The natural system named Ria Formosa is a shallow coastal lagoon (average depth of 2 m) protected from the direct impact of marine waves by a barrier-island system formed by five islands and two peninsulas facing the sea along ca. 55 km (Figure 1.1). The Ria Formosa barrier islands are narrow and elongated morphosedimentary features that diverge NW and NE orientated from the Cape St. Maria (Figure 1.1). St. Maria de Hárune, later on renamed as St. Maria de Fárão, were the names of the city of Faro,
after the Arab domination, during which was Ibne-Hárune (Guerreiro and Magalhães, 1983). The lagoon with extensive marshes and tidal channels (total area of 18000 ha) maintains connections with the sea through six inlets, which guarantees daily renewal of water and nutrients at the pace of tides.
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Universidade do Algarve. Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental