The natural fruits of the forests in Vizcaya

* The author is part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
17 June 2023 Saturday 16:46
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The natural fruits of the forests in Vizcaya

* The author is part of the community of readers of La Vanguardia

I have captured these photographs of the spring mushrooms for Las Fotos de los Lectores de La Vanguardia walking through the forest in Vizcaya, where more than 60% of its surface is covered with trees.

Its orography is very rugged as it is in the area where the Cantabrian Mountains meet the Pyrenees. It is the fifth most mountainous province in Spain if the average slope of the terrain is taken into account.

Regarding the species that cover the mountains, the insigne pine (Pinus radiata) is by far the one with the greatest presence, occupying 67,429 ha. Among the conifers, the maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) follows at a distance with 4,366 ha.

The climate is temperate, oceanic, with a lot of cloudiness throughout the year. Abundant and frequent rainfall, with an annual average of 1200 mm. The temperatures are mild both in summer and winter (14-15 °C on average per year), so it is not surprising that these forests are ideal for mushrooms to grow.

Among the forests, that of Balgerri stands out, the largest beech forest in Biscay. It is located on the northern slope of Mount Balgerri, crossed by a river and forming one of the most beautiful natural landscapes on this earth.