Muniellos Nature Reserve

The Muniellos Nature Reserve is a protected area of woodland in Asturias, Spain. The area of the nature reserve is 5488ha. The main species of tree is oak: it has been described as probably the best preserved Quercus robur forest in Spain. In the 1970s timber extraction was forbidden and the woods were preserved as a hunting reserve. Hunting has since also been banned. Human access to the nature reserve itself is now strictly controlled, although there is a visitor centre overlooking it.Wildlife includes brown bears and capercaillies . There is also a population of the rare Kerry slug.Biosphere reserveIn 2000 UNESCO designated Muniellos as a biosphere reserve. The area of the biosphere reserve was extended in 2003 to take account of the creation of the Natural Park of Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias, which incorporates Muniellos. The core area of the Muniellos biosphere reserve occupies 8661ha, making it somewhat larger than the nature reserve. The rest of the natural park is classed as a buffer zone to the core area.As at 2011 there has been discussion of how the various biosphere reserves in the Cantabrian Mountains could be managed as a single super-reserve to be known as Gran Cantábrica. The first phase of integration would include Somiedo Natural Park. Other relevant reserves include Redes Natural Park, which is also in Asturias. The proposed integration is expected to benefit endangered wildlife such as the Cantabrian brown bear and Cantabrian Capercaillie, by reversing habitat fragmentation. There are recovery plans in operation for both of these animals as they need to extend their range within the Cantabrian mountains in order to build sustainable populations.