Key Biodiversity Areas

Gistreo and Coto mountain ranges (1654)
Spain, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Sierras de Gistreo y Coto
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.8333, Longitude: -6.3333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 700 to 2111
Area of KBA (km2): 872.52265
Protected area coverage (%): 57.29
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: A mountainous area in the southern part of the Cordillera Cantábrica, with slopes covered by scrub, grassland, and deciduous woodland. Human activities include cattle-grazing, game hunting and forestry.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: This is a very important site for breeding alpine and forest species, particularly Perdix perdix hispaniensis and forest raptors.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | forestry (26%) | hunting | urban/industrial/transport
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Forest26
Grassland12
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)12
Artificial - Terrestrial12
Shrubland26
Wetlands(Inland)12

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from uncontrolled fires, open-cast mining, hydroelectric schemes, illegal hunting, and exploitation of the forest resource.
Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Agriculture & aquacultureLivestock farming & ranchingNomadic grazingOngoing
Energy production & miningMining & quarryingOngoing
Energy production & miningRenewable energyOnly in the future
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOngoing