PEOPLE AND PLACES: ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO TOURISM MARKETING – RIA FORMOSA LAGOON

Abstract

Ria Formosa, a prominent lagoon ecosystem along the central and eastern coast of the Algarve region, comprises five islands and two peninsulas, serving as a crucial focal point with significant societal, economic, and environmental implications. This lagoon area, stretching 60 kilometers in length, covers approximately 18,400 hectares, while the barrier island separating it from the sea spans around 2,000 hectares. Dynamic forces such as strong winds and high tides contribute to constant alterations in the configuration of islands and inlets, posing potential flood risks. Ria Formosa holds international recognition as a unique wetland. In 1978, it earned the designation of a "nature reserve," followed by a "natural park" status in 1987, solidifying its integral role in the Natura 2000 Network due to its rich faunal and floristic diversity. Notably, it serves as a critical habitat for endangered bird species, particularly for nesting. The Ramsar Convention of 1992 explicitly acknowledges Ria Formosa as a "complex of coastal saltwater lagoons and barrier islands" characterized by extensive mudflats, sand banks, dune systems, saltmarshes, and substantial Zostera beds. This ecosystem is complemented by diverse elements such as Pinus plantations, urban areas, agricultural land, industrial sites, and facilities for fish and mollusk rearing. Its importance transcends birdlife, encompassing various species engaged in breeding, wintering, and staging, with a special focus on egrets and ibises. Furthermore, Ria Formosa is botanically significant, hosting numerous endemic plant species.