Santander Bay
DUNES OF THE PUNTAL DE SOMO- LOREDO
It is the dune system that extends from Loredo to Punta Rabiosa for more than 4 kilometers.
It is characterized by being a longitudinal system of aeolian dunes, formed by the confluence of deposition and mobilization of sediments from the estuary of the Miera river and its interaction with the littoral current. A fragile combination of wind, sand, waves and vegetation that gives rise to this dune cord.
This is undoubtedly one of the most important ecosystems to guarantee the protection and conservation of coastal fronts and one of the most important dune ridges in Cantabria.
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Due to the beauty of this environment, its proximity to different tourist centers, this is an environment that suffers high pressure from tourism: the dunes are affected by an intense trampling and erosion of tourists who seek to access by crossing the dune system without care from Somo al Puntal is good to access the bathing area or the beach place.
In the dune system of Somo and El Puntal you can see the types of dunes typical of coastal dunes:
Primary or white dunes; they are located behind the final line of the beach or the embryonic dunes. They are called white dunes due to their partial vegetation cover and greater exposure to the wind. They have a mobile character, their configuration varies in winter and summer due to the dynamics caused by the waves and coastal storms. (habitat 2110)
Secondary or gray dunes: located behind the primary dunes. In these the conditions for the growth of the plants are better and there is a greater variety of species, since they are less exposed to the wind to the salt. (habitat 2120)
Tertiary or forested dunes also known as fixed dunes, as they are found behind the secondary dunes, often completely covered with shrubs in the area closest to the sea and forest (usually holm oaks) as climax vegetation of temperate zones. ( habitat 2180)
Another of the great challenges for the conservation of this area is the elimination of invasive flora species since they hinder, and in some cases even prevent, the development of native species and those typical of dune systems.
Thanks to projects such as LIFE Miera, the false acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia), the evening primrose (Oenothera sp.), The chilca (Baccharis halimifolia) and the feather duster (Cortaderia sealana) have been eliminated from Puntal de Somo.