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The Itxina massif is found within
the Gorbeia Natural Park and represents a key element in its
landscape. It comprises a large outcrop of limestone of the
Urgonian complex, formed by coral reefs that grew in shallow
seas 110 million years ago.
Rainwater dissolves the rock causing depressions (dolines)
and breaks up the rock in the form of grooves and channels
(lapiaces). These are the so-called Karst formations. Among
the most noteworthy of these is the famous Ojo de Atxulaor,
the central Gran Grieta, the Axlaor doline and the Supelegor
cave.
The filtered rainwater forms a large, enclosed subterranean
basin that feeds the main spring, which is called Aldabide,
to the north of the massif. One peculiar feature is the use
of some of the deep Karst cracks as refrigerators to keep
snow well into summer. In fact, in Itxina, one of these, in
Neberabaltz, is in perfect condition.
The flora in the Park is extremely varied and is of great
interest to moss experts. There are more than 175 species
of mosses and catalogued hepatics. One aspect which has contributed
to this abundance of species is the large amount of rotting
wood in the Park, something which is difficult to find in
other places in the Basque Country due to the massive forestation
in this region. This wealth of flora is increased by the presence
of singular species on the crests and vertical rock faces.
Some beech trees grow in the harshest and most unexpected
places and today there is still evidence of the use of these
trees for producing charcoal.
With regard to fauna, one curious detail is that there are
at least eight species of bats. In years gone by, these animals
were associated with witchcraft and evil practices, but they
are beneficial to man as their main diet consists of insects. |
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