Arlanza Valley-Peñas de Cervera (1688)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: Valle del Arlanza - Peñas de Cervera
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.0000, Longitude: -3.4167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 860 to 1455
Area of KBA (km2): 593.03049
Protected area coverage (%): 65.45
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Conjunto de cortados calizos formados por los ríos Arlanza y Mataviejas, en las estribaciones meridionales del Sistema Ibérico norte. Las laderas y mesetas se encuentran cubiertas de bosques bajos de sabina albar y encina y matorral (enebro común y jara). Buen bosque de ribera, aunque con algunas plantaciones de chopo.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Importantes poblaciones de rapaces rupícolas, destacando el Buitre Leonado y el Alimoche Común. La población de Águila-azor Perdicera ha sufrido un importante declive en la última década (3-5 pp en 1980) siendo ésta la única pareja que queda de la población existente entre esta zona, el cañón del río Lobos y las Hoces del Riaza. También crían Águila Real (7 pp), Halcón Peregrino (8 pp) y Búho Real (6-8 pp).
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 | 30 | |
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 35 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Entre las amenazas cabe destacar la apertura de pistas forestales y las molestias humanas.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Small-holder plantations | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Small dams | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
Additional information
Contributors: Site identified based on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by the BirdLife International Partnership