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There are very few dune systems left on the Basque coast, though they used to be
found wherever there was a beach. Over the past 200 years they have been reduced to
a fraction of their former extension, and this has destabilised areas of beach and shoreline
where unique species now cling precariously to survival. The dunes of Laida and Laga are
the only ones that have ever existed within the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. The Laida
dunes survived up to the 1950’s, when they were wiped out by a major storm. Human
pressure on the area (walking, sand removal, vehicles, etc.) increased from the 1960’s
onwards, preventing dune plants from establishing themselves on the beach and thus
increasing erosion and sand loss due to the action of wind and sea. One of the priority
goals of the Reserve is to regenerate and conserve its natural ecosystems. At Laida social
interests - preserving the beach for responsible recreational use - combine with environmental
interests in restoring an ecosystem that vanished 50 years ago. The area of the estuary
containing the Laida dunes is part of Location of EU Interest ES2130007 (Urdaibai Shoreline
& Marshes) and Special Protection Area for Birds ES0000144 (Urdaibai River Estuary).

The 13.3 hectares of dunes in Urdaibai are the largest area on the Basque coastline,
accounting for 41.3% of the total of 32.2 hectares of dunes classed as Locations
of EU Interest in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country within the Natura 2000
network. It is thus a very rare type of ecosystem that has suffered damage and is declining
on the Basque coastline. The project to regenerate the dunes at Laida receives funding
under the European Commission’s LIFE-Nature programme.