The city of Barcelona is home to a surprising diversity of flora and fauna that often goes unnoticed. Now, thanks to two new guides, residents and visitors to the Catalan capital can delve into the fascinating world of urban biodiversity.
The Barcelona City Council, in collaboration with Parques y Jardines and Cossetània Edicions, has launched the “Guía de flora urbana de Barcelona” and the “Guía de fauna urbana de Barcelona”.
Discovering urban flora
The “Guide to the urban flora of Barcelona”, elaborated by Pere Barnola and Josep M. Panareda, is a window to the amazing variety of plants that coexist with city life.
With more than one hundred and twenty-five plant species, the guide provides a detailed overview of the flora that thrives in urban environments, especially around spaces built or altered by human activity and domestic animals.
The layout of the guide follows an orderly approach, classifying the species according to their scientific names, as well as their names in Catalan and Spanish. This valuable resource highlights plants that grow spontaneously in urban areas, providing a deeper understanding of the nature that surrounds the inhabitants of Barcelona.
About urban fauna
The “Urban Wildlife Guide to Barcelona”, created by Sergi Garcia and Martí Franch, offers a revealing look at the animal life that shares space with bustling urban life. This guide is a compilation of vertebrate and invertebrate species found in three main environments: buildings, gardens and aquatic spaces.
Through explanatory fact sheets, the guide not only identifies the most familiar species, such as pigeons, cockroaches, rats and sparrows, but also highlights less familiar creatures.
Detailed information on the ecological role of each species adds an educational component, revealing key connections, such as the role of fleas and aquatic snails in water transparency and pond cleaning, or the contribution of bumblebees and butterflies to pollination.
Presentation of the Barcelona Flora and Fauna Guides
The official presentation of these guides took place in the greenhouse of the Ciutadella Park. This event included an itinerary through the park, where both plant and animal species present in the publications were identified.
Participants had the opportunity to explore and learn about the biological diversity that characterizes this natural space in the heart of the city.
These guides are not only valuable resources for identifying and learning about local flora and fauna, but also foster a greater appreciation and understanding of urban biodiversity.
Detailed information about the species and their roles in the ecosystem allows the community to become involved in the conservation and care of wildlife within the city.
