ARTICLE | NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS
Monte Ceniza Nature Reserve
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By Vitza Cabrera and Mirna Borrego
he Baja California peninsula is one of the largest in the world. It is a region that is home to a great diversity of flora and fauna and where the wonderful duality of sea and coastal scrubland intermingle to form surprising places. One of those places is San Quintin Bay and its volcanic valley.
Its vegetation is very particular, and it may seem harsh as thorny bushes and rosette-shaped plants abound. Nevertheless, this vast land dominated by coastal scrub is bathed by the sea breeze, allowing a countless number of unique plants to take over the environment. This includes some plants that are not found anywhere else in the world.
Monte Ceniza Nature Reserve is found here. The volcano, which gives the reserve its name, was formed approximately 125,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest volcanoes in the valley. Life here may seem scarce and desert-like, but if you take a close look, you will notice that there is a great diversity of species, colors and textures. In addition to this, the reserve is surrounded by the bay, a paradise that has the necessary traits that allow oyster farming; a delicacy of the ocean.
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MEDITERRANEWS VOL. 6 / NO. 21
Photo by Jorge Andrade.
