How is the challenge going? Have you been able to identify the different plant species along the way? We have already mentioned the importance of these in dunes, but their presence is not always good… since there are several species of exotic plants that are invasive. Most of them were introduced into our gardens and parks because of their beauty or resilience, and that's where they've been spreading. These deprive space of indigenous vegetation and destroy the ecological balance. Did you know that one of the most serious threats affecting biodiversity worldwide is the presence of invasive alien species? Here are some of the species that we can find:
In the dunes and in the golf area it is frequent to detect the cassava by its long spearlike leaves and spectacular white flowers encamped.
The oenote or asses herb is widely distributed by the dunes and surrounding wetlands. It grows stuck to the ground and you'll see it with yellow flowers in early spring.
You'll discover the sea mastuerzo for its sweet aroma, don't you think it smells like honey? You will find it here and in different gardens and corners of the villa.
Sporobolus indicus is a gramineae that grows in the form of a spike.
And gramon is a repeating graminee widely used to cover grass or soccer fields.
The Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the City of Zarautz are working on the recovery and maintenance of these unique habitats to eliminate these invasive species, but it is not an easy task, due to their great resistance.
It is also not easy to regulate the management and use of the sandy area. Although the dunes area is protected, you occasionally see people entering this space and stepping on their plants. The installation of tents on dunes has also sometimes been observed, probably without knowing the damage that is being done to this fragile ecosystem.
We continue forward, until we reach the viewpoint of the mouth of the Iñurritza River.
