Cape Candelaria-Ortigueira estuary-Cape Estaca de Bares (1647)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Punta de Candelaria - Ría de Ortigueira - Estaca de Bares
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.6667, Longitude: -7.8667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 613
Area of KBA (km2): 867.46001
Protected area coverage (%): 97.91
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An estuary between Cape Ortegal and the Estaca de Bares. It includes marine areas, wide intertidal mudflats, a belt of halophytic vegetation, and some islets.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: This is an important site for breeding seabirds and passage and wintering waders.
Delineation rationale: 2015-04-23 (BL Secretariat): site area adjusted from 6700 ha (IBA2000) to 90020 ha (Arcos et al. 2009).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry (26%) | hunting | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 6 | |
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Marine Neritic | 13 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 6 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from intensive shellfish collecting, illegal hunting, the construction of windmills, building, and the cutting of marsh vegetation.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Industrial aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |