Flora & fauna

A great deal of the vegetation in the "Cuadrilla" or district of Zuia is of special botanical or natural interest. 30% of the municipality's land is classed as protected as part of the natural parks of Gorbeia and Urkiola, and many other areas, such as Gibijo, Badaia, Arrato, Elgea and the reservoirs are listed in the catalogue of sites of special interest of the Basque Autonomous Community.

The composition and distribution of the vegetation in the area is influenced by the climate, by the terrain and by human activity.

The climate is humid, with cool winters and mild summers. The peculiarities of the terrain in this district, with the mountains of Gorbeia, Urkiola and Elgea in the north and valleys in the south, mean that there are sharp contrasts between areas: conditions in the mountains, where there are peaks over 1000 m high, are much more extreme than those in the valleys.

Rainfall in the highest areas is over 1500 mm per annum, and there are big swings in temperature. The mountains form a barrier against the moist winds blowing in off the Bay of Biscay, and frequent snowfalls in winter add to the beauty of the landscape.

In the valleys, where the altitude ranges from 500 to 800 m, the effect of this barrier is evident: rainfall is less than 1300 mm and the annual average temperatures are higher. In the southern area that includes the Gibijo, Badaia and Arrato hills, from which the land drops down to the plains, the climate becomes gradually more Mediterranean, with lower rainfall and higher temperatures allowing the appearance of Mediterranean plants such as holm oaks and gall oaks.

Beech trees make up 28% of the woodland in the district. They are concentrated particularly in Gibijo, the Altube valley, Gorbeia (south western slopes and shady areas in Berretin, Pagazuri and Oketa), around Oro and Ganalto, and on the hills of Legutiano and Arangio. Beeches prefer shady areas prone to mist, and like high ground. Other species found with them include holly, hawthorn, maple and hazel trees and cranberry.

The area from the Zuia valley over Gorbeia (between Txintxularra and Berretin) to Albertia in Legutiano is dominated by oak woods. Oaks account in all for 12% of the local woodland, and are densest in the bottom of the Urkabustaiz valley and in Zuia. These are the best preserved oak woods in all Alava/ Araba. Oak trees require more moisture and light than beeches, and are less resistant to the cold. Growing alongside them are hazels, willows, ashes and ashes.

Durmast and gall oaks are concentrated in the sunnier areas, and can be used as indicators of local humidity and temperature conditions. There are great groves of durmast oaks on the south eastern slopes of Gorbeia and of gall oaks in the southernmost parts of the municipalities of Zigoitia, Legutiano and Arrazua-Ubarrundia. Kermes oaks are found in large numbers in the Arrato hills, which in itself is evidence of the shift towards a Mediterranean climate in that part of the district.

Conifers, the most numerous of which is the radiata pine, account for 31% of the woodland in the area. They are concentrated most heavily along the Aramaio valley, around Legutiano and on Gorbeia (around Berretin). These woods are replantings intended for use by the forestry industry. They are concentrated in areas where woodland is privately owned, rather than owned by the local authorities as in the case of Urkabustaiz and Zuia.

The remaining areas are covered with scrub land (mainly heather and gorse) between Gibijo and Gorbeia, at between 800 and 1480 m. The more level areas, such as the valley bottoms, are taken up by broad pasturage for cattle, maintained by regular manuring, cutting, clearing and rotation of grazing areas. The high pasture land in Gorbeia completes the picture as far as vegetation is concerned.

This plant cover provides habitats for a numerous species of animals, so that the area has diverse, complex ecosystems formed by birds, amphibians and mammals.

The largest animals are found in Gorbeia, Gibijo, Badaia and Urkiola. The whole area around Gorbeia is populated by deer, and animals can pass easily to and from the neighbouring natural areas.

There are roe deer and wild boar in Gibijo, Altube, Badaia and Arrato, and smaller species such as wildcats, pine martens and polecats in Gorbeia and Urkiola. The wolf is making a comeback in the Gibijo hills.

The rocky promontories of Elgea, Urkiola and Gorbeia are home to birds of prey such as hawks, peregrine falcons, common vultures and Egyptian vultures. The oak woods on the valley bottoms abound in woodland birds such as kingfishers, blackbirds, woodpeckers, goshawks, barn owls, kites, herons, etc.

The reservoirs of Legutiano and Ullibarri-Gamboa provide wintering, breeding, feeding and roosting grounds for large numbers of water birds and are also home to many types of fish and amphibians. The river Baias in Zuia and Urkabustaiz also provides excellent fishing.