Mar Menor

A coastal lagoon of around 135 km2 is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a narrow sandy strip resting on a rocky substrate. The lagoon contains five islands of volcanic origin. The lagoon bottoms consist mainly of soft mud, with sand and rocky bottoms being rare. The Mar Menor is naturally connected to the Mediterranean Sea via La Encañizada. The water in the lagoon has a relatively low salinity due to the balance between strong evaporation and inflow from the Mediterranean Sea. The Mar Menor is a unique ecosystem due to its status as a coastal lagoon. Due to the communication gulfs, the Mediterranean Sea is no longer as isolated as it once was, resulting in a greater diversity of species being incorporated. The ‘Mediterraneanisation’ of the Mar Menor threatens the conservation of the lagoon’s habitats and species. The fauna of the area includes the Spanish Toothcarp (Aphanius iberus), as well as bird species that are even recognised in the SPA.