In the 1970s timber extraction was forbidden and the woods were preserved as a hunting reserve. Hunting has since also been banned. Human access to the nature reserve itself is now strictly controlled, although there is a visitor centre overlooking it.
Biosphere reserve In 2000 UNESCO designated Muniellos as a
biosphere reserve. The area of the biosphere reserve was extended in 2003 to take account of the creation of the
Natural Park of Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias, which incorporates Muniellos. The core area of the Muniellos biosphere reserve occupies , making it somewhat larger than the nature reserve. The rest of the natural park is classed as a buffer zone to the core area. As at 2011 there has been discussion of how the various biosphere reserves in the
Cantabrian Mountains could be managed as a single super-reserve to be known as
Gran Cantábrica. The first phase of integration would include
Somiedo Natural Park. Other relevant reserves include
Redes Natural Park, which is also in Asturias.
Wildlife Wildlife includes brown bears (
Cantabrian brown bear) and capercaillies (
Cantabrian capercaillie). There is also a population of the rare
Kerry slug. The proposed integration of the biosphere reserves is expected to benefit endangered wildlife such as the Cantabrian brown bear and Cantabrian Capercaillie, by reversing
habitat fragmentation. There are
recovery plans in operation for both of these animals as they need to extend their range within the Cantabrian mountains in order to build sustainable populations.
Special Protection Area Bosque de Muniellos (Spanish for "Muniellos Wood") is a
Special Protection Area for bird-life under the European Union's
Birds Directive. Muniellos has also been designated an
Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. == References ==