Geology and Natural History

The Montgó natural Park was established in 1987. There is a great deal known about the Montgó - a multidisciplinary study published in the 1990's included a summary of the flora (over 600 species) fauna and geomorphology.

108 million years ago this area was submerged under the Tethys sea and the elements which were to create the Montgó were deposited, little by little onto the sea bed. From then on, until 10 million years ago, the shifting of the African and European continents warped the strata. Finally there were fractures which produced huge individual blocks like the Montgó Mountain. These were uplifted. 1.6 million years ago the Montgó acquired its present aspect. In the past the sea level was much lower than it is today and there was a mountain range which united the Montgó with the most Western Balearic islands. Thus there are many similarities between the flora of Montgó and the Balearics. The mountain is riddled with caves and potholes; a catalogue published in 1988 lists 22 such cavities . See walk to "Montgo's Eye" on this website.

The Montgó is one of the most important nature reserves in the Comunidad Valenciana because of the exceptional variety of its flora, which includes exotic and a large number of endemic species. This is due to the coming together of favourable conditions on the mountain. It benefits from a climate which has a higher rainfall than the regional average at 500-600mm ; high annual average temperatures without continental extremes i.e. mild winters and summers moderated by sea breezes. The east-west orientation of the mountain also creates two areas of contrasting conditions; the sunny south face and the shady north face. The majority of interesting flora are found on the northern slopes.

Refs:
Denia town hall publicity
http://www.cma.gva.es/intro.htm - Valencia Regional Government Ministry of the Environment website
Cebrián. R, 1991, Montañas Velncianas, Comarcas Alicantinas

For more see: http://parquesnaturales.gva.es/i/espnaturales.htm

Some of the wild flowers seen along this route:

Chamaerops humilis - Dwarf Palm
Cistus Albidus - Grey-leaved Cistus
Fritillaria lusitanica - Fritillary
Gynandriris sisyrinchium - Barbary nut
Lavatera maritima - Sea Mallow
Lavandula dentata -Toothed Lavender
Lavandula multifida - Cut-leaved Lavender
Narcissus requienii - Rush-leaved Narcissus
Ophrys apifera - Bee Orchid
Ophrys tenthredinifera - Sawfly Orchid
Orchis olbiensis - Early purple Orchid
Thalictrum tuberosum - Meadow Rue
Ranunculus gramineus - Grass-leaved buttercup
Linum narbonense - Beautiful Flax
Gladiolus illyricus - Wild Gladiolus
Helianthemum marifolium - Yellow rock rose
Euphorbia squamigera - Warty Spurge
Asphodelus cerasiferus - Branched Asphodel
Brassica maritima - Sea Cabbage
Juniperus oxycedrus - Prickly Juniper




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