Pressure from Development

By nature of its location on the highly developed Algarve coastline, the Ria de Alvor is under acute pressure from tourism-related urbanisation and increasing recreational use. A major perturbation of the estuary and the sand dunes occurred 14 years ago during dredging operations and port works, and further dredging is expected in the future. More subtle threats include abandonment of farmland and associated deterioration in biodiversity, and pollution of the estuary waters from both diffuse and point sources in the watershed.

If these threats can be successfully countered, the future potential of Ria de Alvor as a Protected Area is enormous. Its range of different, easily accessible terrestrial and maritime habitats provides good opportunities for training in field studies research, as well as environmental education at a primary and secondary school level. Its eco-tourism potential is already realised as thousands of wildlife enthusiasts flock to the area each Spring, and this can be further enhanced. The protection of the existing natural landscape of Quinta da Rocha in particular, and positive management of the area giving appropriate weight to both its wildlife interest and value for visitors, will create a sustainable, richer ecosystem and visitor attraction.

According to local fishermen and shellfish diggers, people who live near by, holidaymakers and of course the precious species and habitats (if they could speak for themselves!), protecting the Ria de Alvor is not going to be easy, but it is certainly something well worth doing.  It is the very interesting mosaic made up by all these balanced and dynamic elements which make Ria de Alvor so important and beautiful a place.  When all is said and done, to preserve the natural heritage is indeed to value the whole picture of the surrounding region.