It is a network of protected natural areas which includes the most representative areas of our continent.
The objective of the Nature 2000 network is to promote the conservation of the natural habitats by the sustainable ecological use of the natural resources without damaging the environment.

The upper basin of the Miño is one of the most unique water based ecosystems in the Atlantic regionof the Iberian Peninsula. It is considered a SCI (Site of Community Importance) in the Galician proposal for Natura 2000 Network and was declared by the Consellería de Medio Ambiente de la Xunta de Galicia as a Generally Protected Natural Area.
In 2002 it was declared by UNESCO “Terras do Miño” Biosphere Reserve, along with its mountainous surroundings in the programme Man and Biosphere.This award is the highest international recognition for the conservation of countryside, habitats and species integrated in the sustainable development of the local population.

It consists of European funds for the conservation and protection of the Natura 2000 Network. The programme provides finance for projects and strategies aimed at conserving these spaces according to the sustainable development of the local population.

This SCI takes up 4,934 hecteares in the Atlantic Bioclimatic Region. It includes the municipalities of Begonte, Guitiriz, Outeieo do Rei, Rábade, Vilalba, Xermade, Abadín, Castro de Rei, Lugo and Friol. It is a damp area made up of a wide river network, little lakes and flooded land for grazing ,agricultural areas,river bank woods and oak thickets. There are about 1,500 aquatic birds during winter.

They are small outcrops caused by the recent evolution of several meandering currents.
They are made up of materials deposited by the action of the river.
They are of different shapes and sizes and so they are popularly called by different names: "terróns", "mollóns", "insuíñas",...
The Insua de San Roque (Islands of San Roque), Cela and Trabanca, known as the Insuas do Miño (Miño Islands), are the largest of our islands, 5km. long and 220m wide. Their size varies due to seasonal differences in the river flow. In winter it can rise more than 3 metres.

Mainly 2 kinds: river bank woods and oak thickets.
River bank woods or swamp woods are formed of trees which are well adated to the water and tolerate the varying levels of water. These trees have big roots which help them to anchor the subsoil and as their branches are flexible, they don´t break when flooded. The most common trees are willows, ash and birch.
The oak thickets are to be found on those parts of the islands not affected by water. They are made up basically of oaks and holm oaks. They are very similar but to differentiate we just have to take a leaf and rub it. If it is covered by a white film, it is a holm oak whereas if not, it is an oak. We can also differentiate between its fruit or acorns. Oaks have acorns hanging from a long sleeve whilst holm oaks have a longer sleeve. We can also see chestnuts, hawthorns and holly.

The conservation of this woodland is important for several reasons:

• The tree roots anchor the river banks and thus avoid erosion produced by torrential rain.
• In summer they provide shade for the river which helps to regulate the water temperature and keep it stable.
• They provide shelter and food for many species.
• They are a green corridor for fauna and encourage communication between different natural spaces.

A lot of the fauna of the Insuas is typical of well conserved river ecosystems.
We can highlight the presence of the river mussel also known as water oyster,”madre perla “ or “náyade”. It is in danger of extinction because it needs rivers with clean water and is getting scarcer and scarcer. It has priority in European conservation policy.
The presence of aquatic larvae of different insects such as dragon flies, mayflies and similar are indicators of the environmental quality of the river around the islands.
Among the birds to be found is the White-throated Dipper, another indicator of the quality of the water as it is very sensitive to pollution. They stagger along the bottom of the river using their wings to keep upright using their strong nails to find larvae to feed on.
Otters are well adapted to river life with their long heads which reduce resistance to the water. The palms of their hind legs and their rudder shaped tail help them to fish , where they can reach speeds of 11 km/h.
Frogs can be heard in calm water from spring on when male frogs croak to attract females.

In the surface water we can find species such as Luronium natans, a species of priority interest in the EEC. The upper basin of the Miño is where we find greatest numbers.
Another of the priority species as regards conservation policy is Eryngium viviparum which in the Iberian Peninsula is only to be found in the upper reaches of the Miño basin.
Also worthy of note are the calm water areas with their populations of bullrushes
In less calm waters we can find species such as the “espeiga de agua”Potamogeton natans, which finds different ways to avoid drifting with the current and thus completes its life cycle.

One of the most obvious signs of this relationship is the presence of different weirs along the river. Weirs are an example of popular architecture linked to the river. They were built to divert the river and use its power to move the mills.
Eels found these weirs to be an obstacle in their trip along the river and were then easy prey for fishermen.
Another symbol of this river culture are the “batuxos”, flat bottomed wooden boats which were used to scull across the river with a pole and thus get to areas of difficult access.

Tree felling and the planting of trees such as pines and euchalyptus and poplars are the main reasons behind the damage to the ecosystems in the islands.
The water pollution caused by industrial waste, waste water from urban areas, fertilizers used in agriculture are all problems for the conservation of water quality as is the irrational recreational use of this area.
A general lack of sensitivity about the environment is the main cause of the damage to this environment.

• It has been declared a SCI and included in the Natura 2000 Network.
• Research projects to catalogue different communities included in the Habitats Directive.

• The purchase of land to be conserved.
• Different projects to improve habitats:
   >>Renovation of the canal system to the south of the island.
   >>Recovery of the native vegetation in the abonded fields to the south of the island.
   >>Creation of green filters of vegetation to purify waste waters.
   >>Elimination of foreign species.
   >>Opening up of a path in the island.
   >>Elimination of the masses of Azolla filiculoides
• Environmental quality control of species and habitats.
• Publication of information material.
• Seminars and guided tours to raise the consciousness of the local people.