back

Back

Explore

Turf of Chãs de Arga

Peat bogs, a climatic record of the recent past.

The Local Natural Monument corresponds to the culminating reference surface for the terrain of the lower-middle Lima (Arga Surface, ~ 800 m). It constitutes a wide plain (591 ha), of which Chã Grande, Chão das Sizedas and Chã de S. João stand out, the latter where the Alto da Fonte da Urze (source of the Âncora River) is located. The depressions that arise and occupy a large part of the three grounds, form heathlands and peatbogs, with probable periglacial origin.

In the Bretial sector, it is possible to observe the Sto. Ovídeo ring, a lanscape resulting from a granitic intrusion, which its apical part has been eroded (Lima, 2006). It is possible to observe to the north, the main surfaces of the massifs north of Arga, up to the Spanish territory. In addition to the scientific and scenic value of the geosite, the conservation of several residual granite geoforms is highlighted, with a high potential for touristic and educational use (Carvalhido, 2012).

References:

Carvalhido (2016). Memória descritiva sobre os interesses geológicos conservados nos geossítios propostos para classificação. Câmara Municipal de Viana do Castelo.

Carvalhido, Ricardo (2012). O Litoral Norte de Portugal (Minho-Neiva): evolução paleoambiental quaternária e proposta de conservação do património geomorfológico. Tese de Doutoramento. Universidade do Minho. 562 p.

Lima, M. F. (2006). Caracterização e estratégias de valorização sustentável de ocorrências geológicas com importância patrimonial. Tese de Doutoramento, Universidade do Minho.

The Local Natural Monument corresponds to the culminating reference surface for the terrain of the lower-middle Lima (Arga Surface, ~ 800 m). It constitutes a wide plain (591 ha), of which Chã Grande, Chão das Sizedas and Chã de S. João stand out, the latter where the Alto da Fonte da Urze (source of the Âncora River) is located. The depressions that arise and occupy a large part of the three grounds, form heathlands and peatbogs, with probable periglacial origin.

In the Bretial sector, it is possible to observe the Sto. Ovídeo ring, a lanscape resulting from a granitic intrusion, which its apical part has been eroded (Lima, 2006). It is possible to observe to the north, the main surfaces of the massifs north of Arga, up to the Spanish territory. In addition to the scientific and scenic value of the geosite, the conservation of several residual granite geoforms is highlighted, with a high potential for touristic and educational use (Carvalhido, 2012).

References:

Carvalhido (2016). Memória descritiva sobre os interesses geológicos conservados nos geossítios propostos para classificação. Câmara Municipal de Viana do Castelo.

Carvalhido, Ricardo (2012). O Litoral Norte de Portugal (Minho-Neiva): evolução paleoambiental quaternária e proposta de conservação do património geomorfológico. Tese de Doutoramento. Universidade do Minho. 562 p.

Lima, M. F. (2006). Caracterização e estratégias de valorização sustentável de ocorrências geológicas com importância patrimonial. Tese de Doutoramento, Universidade do Minho.

Location

Peak area of Serra de Arga, Montaria parish

Coordinates

Lat: 41.798902

Long: -8.694556

Legend
Theme
Point of interest

Themes

Discover all the themes of Turf of Chãs de Arga

Ecological Recovery

The following proposal was presented by the Mayor of the Chamber:- "PROPOSAL - Cooperation Protocol within the scope of the Progama de Reabilitação de Áreas Classificadas do concelho de Viana do Castelo - Responsabilidade ambiental no âmbito das áreas classificadas do concelho de Viana do Castelo".

In the scope of the Municipal Strategy for Nature Conservation, a plan inscribed in the ongoing Environment and Biodiversity Agenda for the four-year period 2017-2021, the Municipality prepared the Programa de Reabilitação Ecológica das Áreas Classificadas do concelho, in this first phase, focusing on 5 of the 13 Natural Monuments, unique areas for the knowledge of the geological history of the Iberian Peninsula since more than 500 million years ago and which are part of the application that the Municipality is preparing for recognition as a UNESCO World Geopark territory. Viana do Castelo is a rich territory from the point of view of Natural and Cultural Heritage, with about 4,800 hectares specifically designated for the protection of fauna and flora habitats (3 sites of Community importance of Natura 2000 Network), being the only municipality in the country with the geological heritage inventory concluded and duly classified with 13 natural monuments, making up a total area of about 2,832 hectares. The recovery programme that was drawn up supported an application to PO SEUR, with approval of the overall investment amount of 500,000 euros, financed at 85%, with implementation in 2020 and 2021. The ecological recovery interventions that are intended to be carried out include actions to eradicate and control exotic species, mainly Acacia dealbata (Mimosa), Acacia longifolia (Acacia longifolia) and Acacia Melanoxylon (Australia), Carpobrotus edulis (beach weevil), Arundo donax (giant reed), Trandescantia fluminencis (Fortune grass or tradescância) and Cortaderia selloana (pampas grass or plumas). In addition to these actions, supported by an exhaustive inventory carried out by the Municipality for those species, the programme includes actions to promote scientific literacy to the population and the densification of the Municipality's Citizen Science strategy, extending the Bioregisto platform to the cartography of invasive vegetation, in collaboration with the Functional Ecology Centre of the University of Coimbra (invasoras.pt). In addition, planting actions are planned in the areas to be ecologically intervened, namely native species such as oak, pine, hawthorn, holm oak, birch or heather, among others, within the scope of the Municipal Year for the Recovery of Portuguese Native Forests, currently underway. In order to guarantee the perennial success of the intervention and the investment made, the rehabilitation programme foresees the involvement of the social and business fabric, and within the scope of the environmental responsibility of the institutions, so that they may take responsibility for the maintenance of the ecological quality of all or parts of the classified areas of the municipality of Viana do Castelo. The programme for the ecological rehabilitation of the classified areas of Viana do Castelo - 1st phase - was carried out with the collaboration of the Parish Councils of Afife, Carreço, Darque, Vila Nova de Anha and Santa Marta de Portuzelo, and also with the Parish Councils of Mazaferes and Vila Fria and the Parish Councils of Viana do Castelo (Santa Maria Maior and Monserrate) and Meadela. The Associação de Caçadores de Vila Nova de Anha and the Comissão Diretiva dos Baldios da Montaria were also partners.

The following proposal was presented by the Mayor of the Chamber:- "PROPOSAL - Cooperation Protocol within the scope of the Progama de Reabilitação de Áreas Classificadas do concelho de Viana do Castelo - Responsabilidade ambiental no âmbito das áreas classificadas do concelho de Viana do Castelo".

In the scope of the Municipal Strategy for Nature Conservation, a plan inscribed in the ongoing Environment and Biodiversity Agenda for the four-year period 2017-2021, the Municipality prepared the Programa de Reabilitação Ecológica das Áreas Classificadas do concelho, in this first phase, focusing on 5 of the 13 Natural Monuments, unique areas for the knowledge of the geological history of the Iberian Peninsula since more than 500 million years ago and which are part of the application that the Municipality is preparing for recognition as a UNESCO World Geopark territory. Viana do Castelo is a rich territory from the point of view of Natural and Cultural Heritage, with about 4,800 hectares specifically designated for the protection of fauna and flora habitats (3 sites of Community importance of Natura 2000 Network), being the only municipality in the country with the geological heritage inventory concluded and duly classified with 13 natural monuments, making up a total area of about 2,832 hectares. The recovery programme that was drawn up supported an application to PO SEUR, with approval of the overall investment amount of 500,000 euros, financed at 85%, with implementation in 2020 and 2021. The ecological recovery interventions that are intended to be carried out include actions to eradicate and control exotic species, mainly Acacia dealbata (Mimosa), Acacia longifolia (Acacia longifolia) and Acacia Melanoxylon (Australia), Carpobrotus edulis (beach weevil), Arundo donax (giant reed), Trandescantia fluminencis (Fortune grass or tradescância) and Cortaderia selloana (pampas grass or plumas). In addition to these actions, supported by an exhaustive inventory carried out by the Municipality for those species, the programme includes actions to promote scientific literacy to the population and the densification of the Municipality's Citizen Science strategy, extending the Bioregisto platform to the cartography of invasive vegetation, in collaboration with the Functional Ecology Centre of the University of Coimbra (invasoras.pt). In addition, planting actions are planned in the areas to be ecologically intervened, namely native species such as oak, pine, hawthorn, holm oak, birch or heather, among others, within the scope of the Municipal Year for the Recovery of Portuguese Native Forests, currently underway. In order to guarantee the perennial success of the intervention and the investment made, the rehabilitation programme foresees the involvement of the social and business fabric, and within the scope of the environmental responsibility of the institutions, so that they may take responsibility for the maintenance of the ecological quality of all or parts of the classified areas of the municipality of Viana do Castelo. The programme for the ecological rehabilitation of the classified areas of Viana do Castelo - 1st phase - was carried out with the collaboration of the Parish Councils of Afife, Carreço, Darque, Vila Nova de Anha and Santa Marta de Portuzelo, and also with the Parish Councils of Mazaferes and Vila Fria and the Parish Councils of Viana do Castelo (Santa Maria Maior and Monserrate) and Meadela. The Associação de Caçadores de Vila Nova de Anha and the Comissão Diretiva dos Baldios da Montaria were also partners.

The maintenance and ecological recovery of this Natural Monument is in charge of:
Descubra Minho explore iberia

Hello little one!

I'm Piquinhos and I can help you learn more about the Geopark!

Technical details

Child Mode

Discover the geopark in a simpler format, aimed at the little ones.

Clique ENTER para pesquisar ou ESC para sair