The territory of a Biosphere Reserve is divided into three zones according to its level of protection:

1. The nucleus zone:
this is the Reserve zone with the maximum legal protection that has to ensure the in situ bio-diversity
on a long term basis. The nucleus zone of the Minorcan Biosphere Reserve is the Parque Natural de la Albufera d'Es Grau, Illa d'en Colom and Cap de Favàritx and its zone of influence.

2. The cushioning zone or the buffer zone:
this is made up of those spaces where activities can be carried out only if they are compatible with the protection of the nucleus zone of the Reserve, such as scientific research, education and environmental training as well as tourist and recreational activities. This cushioning zone in Minorca corresponds to the demarcation of the " Áreas Naturales de Especial Interés (ANEIs) (nature areas of special interest), which stem from the "Ley de espacios naturales de
Baleares" (the law of nature areas in the Balearic Islands). This zone comprises approximately 41% of the insular territory.

3. The transition zone:
this is the territory that focuses on the function of supporting the socio-economic development of the Reserve and covers all the rest of the insular territory.

Nature areas

Nature Reserve of s'Albufera d'Es Grau, Illa d'en Colom and Cap de Favàritx
This nature reserve is situated in the municipal area of Maó. It covers an area of 1,947 hectares, of which 72 make up the lagoon and to this one must add the flood area known as Es Prat. There are various ponds and the notable ones are Morella and Sa Torreta. Here you will also find the isla de En Colom, an islet which has a surface area of 60 hectares.
All the area that covers the Es Grau lagoon is of great environmental wealth. A wide variety of bio-types are concentrated here as well as some of the most important prehistoric monuments preserved on the island. With regard to the park's flora, the most widespread is the Minorcan bush or sea bush. Whilst at Favàritx and the Island of Colom, the coastal bush is predominant, in the rest of the park the wild-olive grows. In areas closest to the coast, the largest number of species exclusive to Minorca are concentrated, such as buckthorn and saffron. In the wetlands of the lagoon, there is an abundance of underwater plants and the most notable are the giant reed and rushes.

In the streams that pour water into the lagoon, one can find reed mace and elms. This vegetation also proliferates in the ponds. The forest mass of the park is dominated by pinewoods of the Aleppo pine and small woods of tamarisk and oak. The couch-grass, sea daffodils and dog-rue, which is endemic, grow on the beaches and the dunes, whilst in farming areas, fodder for livestock is grown.

The fauna of the park is made up of blue rock-thrushes, rock doves and peregrines. These birds are to be found in abundance in areas close to the sea. In the wetlands there are a large number of aquatic birds who spend winter in this area such as the wigean, the pochard and the cormorant. There are also species to be found all year round, such as, for example, the mallard, the coot and the little grebe. It is common to see frogs and toads in the ponds. Fish around in the lagoon include eels, gambusias and the springer great mullet. Finally, in the area of the park dominated by forest mass one finds the garden dormouse and the common turtle dove.

The lagoon is also home to some archaeological remains of interest that date back to different eras of Minorcan culture. Among these are vestiges of the Talayotic culture in the Sa Torreta farm-house. Next to this settlement there is a medieval defence tower and another one close by that dates back to the 18th century.

The park also includes part of the Camí de Cavalls (bridle path) which is an old path that goes all around the island. One can take advantage of it to go the most interesting

North coast of Ciutadella
The natural area of the north coast of Ciutadella extends from the mouth of the Port of Ciutadella to Cala Morell. Here one can see the effects of the strong tramontana wind. It is
in this area that land demarcation is made by tanques, dry stone walls that divide different plots of land.

La Vall
Situated in the municipal area of Ciutadella, the La Vall zone is one of the most mountainous areas on the island. Some of the most important virgin beaches are found on its coastline, such as Es Tancats and Es Bot. Also, Ses Fontanelles, a sheltered harbour, is located in this area. The maximum height of La Vall is 205 metres at Sa Falconera. At its base there are the ruins of the prehistoric settlement of Alfurinet.

From Ets Alocs to Fornells
The area between Ets Alocs and Fornells is one of the most virgin of the island. It houses a wet area that includes the wetlands of Tirant and Lluriac. This is the second wetland area in importance after the Es Grau lagoon. Cala Barril, cala Pregonda and the coves of Binimel·là also form part of this area, as well as the natural harbour of Sanitja which is located in front of the island of Es Porros in which one finds the pre-Roman villa of Sanissera.

From La Mola to s'Albufera de Fornells
La Mola is probably one of the most spectacular areas on the island. It is located next to the Fornells lagoon. This enclave gives its name to a cliff of over 120 metres that overlooks the sea. In this cliff one finds the cave of Na Polida, one of the largest in size. Towards the south, there is cala Pudent and Arenal de s'Olla. Of great ecological interest are also the Bellavista, Sant Isidre Binisarmenya areas as well as the area between Addaia and Albufera. This area extends to La Mola de Maó which is on the northern shore of the port of Maó. It has a very rough relief on the northern part that levels out gradually as it gets to the port, forming small coves along the coast.

In the mouth of the port is the Isabel II fort, built in the 19th century. It was infamous as a military prison. To-day it is no longer in use as such and it can be visited with prior permission.

Between cala Sant Esteve and Caló de Rafalet, there is an area with many archaeological sites and caves that were excavated during the Iron Age. These are located in the "torre de En Penjat" area.

From Biniparratx to Llucalari
The area located south of Alaior includes cala Biniparratx, cala Binidali, cala En Porter, Calescoves, cala Sant Llorenç and cala Llucalari. Calescoves, a national historical monument, is an area with archaeological remains of the Talayotic age and is located near to one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Balearic Islands, namely torre de En Galmes, which is outside of the protected area.

Son Bou
The beach of Son Bou is to be found at the foot of the La Vall and Es Bec gullies and it contains a large marsh and dune strip. In this area one can visit the early Christian basilica of Son Bou that was built between the 5th and 6th centuries A.D.

Binigaus
On the route between Binigaus and cala Mitjana, there are the gullies of Trebalúger, Binigaus and Algendar, as well as virgin coves such as cala Excorxada, cala Fustam and
Trebalúger. In this area there are numerous archaeological sites among which stands out the cave of Es Moro.

South coast of Ciutadella
In the south coast of Ciutadella, there are some of the best known beaches of Minorca. On the route that goes from the western part of the Algendar gully to Son Saura, there are the coves of Macarella, Macarelleta and En Turqueta. The Camí de Baix area is not far from Ciutadella and includes cala Degollador, in whose surrounding area one finds the Sant Nicolau castle.

Santa Àgueda i S'Enclusa
Santa Àgueda-s'Enclusa is a mountainous mass north of Ferreries. Here one can visit the ruins of an old Arab fort that is now abandoned.

El Toro
Monte Toro is the highest mountain in Minorca. At its peak there is a sanctuary with views of a large part of the island.

Penyes d'Egipte