Most of us tend to imagine the wilderness as a friendly environment, green and wooded, where the water flows everywhere. But in the extreme environments nature shows its most fascinating face. Some of the most amazing forms of life have evolved in the desert areas of the Planet, where they had to find creative strategies to ensure their survival.
The desert also has that special magic that envelops the visitor and gives a different perception of his surroundings. Here the world takes on a beauty that trascends reality and the spirit is filled with serenity.
Few people know that there is a real desert in Europe. In the Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula and in some of its interior valleys life thrives without water, as in the Sahara desert itself. A desolate kingdom rich in reptiles (tortoises, chamaleons, geckos...), desert birds (Trumpeter Finch, Dupont's Lark...) and the most extravagant invertebrates (scorpions, solifugues, tarantulas...). But perhaps the greatest interest of Iberian deserts are their plant communities, filled of unique species not found in any other part in Europe.
The desert tests the limits of survival and nature responds with a display of wonderful strategies. To appreciate all this beauty is to appreciate the essence of the Natural World and the desert is at all times willing to share it with us.
