Izki mountains (1672)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: Montes de Izki y de Vitoria
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.6667, Longitude: -2.5000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 700 to 1057
Area of KBA (km2): 185.92853
Protected area coverage (%): 65.34
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Montañas calizas de mediana altura que bordean colinas arenosas de suaves laderas en las que se asienta un extenso melojar muy bien conservado. Existen algunos roquedos y barrancos, con abundantes arroyos y turberas. Con menor entidad aparecen hayedos, quejigales, carrascales y sotos. Entre el melojar aparecen pequeñas zonas de pasto y espacios abiertos dominados por brezales-argomales. Abundancia de ganado bovino, ovino y equino en régimen extensivo. Dentro del área sólo existe un núcleo rural (Corres) y otros pequeños en la periferia. La zona está muy poco transformada. Explotación forestal y cinegética. Canteras de asfaltos en Atauri. Tendidos eléctricos. Pequeños vertederos incontrolados en las cercanías de los pueblos. Trabajos forestales en ocasiones agresivos y nuevas pistas que facilitan el acceso de los visitantes al enclave.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Muy importante población de Pico Mediano, probablemente la mejor de España, detectada muy recientemente. También nidifican Abejero Europeo, Milano Negro, Milano Real, Buitre Leonado (11 pp), Águila Real (2 pp), Aguilucho Pálido (3-6 pp), Halcón Peregrino (3 pp) y Chova Piquirroja. Observación frecuente de Quebrantahuesos.
Manageability of the site: Site identified based on BirdLife International's Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, under which manageability is strongly recommended but not explicitly documented
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 80 | |
| Shrubland | 40 | |
| Grassland | 15 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Only in the future | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Only in the future | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Only in the future |
Additional information
Contributors: Site identified based on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by the BirdLife International Partnership