Urdaibai - Matxitxako (1663)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Urdaibai - Matxitxako
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.3667, Longitude: -2.6833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 245.32165
Protected area coverage (%): 88.48
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A deep estuary with some remnant brackish marshes, extensive mudflats and sandbanks. There is a small rocky islet at the mouth of the estuary and a large coastal cliff in the west of the area.
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 an important site for passage and wintering waders and Platalea leucorodia and resident seabirds.
Delineation rationale: 2015-04-23 (BL Secretariat): site area adjusted from 4000 ha (IBA2000) to 20860 ha (Arcos et al. 2009).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | fisheries/aquaculture (25%) | nature conservation and research (90%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats include disturbance from tourists and intense shellfish gathering and trawling. The bottom of the estuary has been damaged by dredging. There is a management plan for the Biosphere Reserve. Hunting is forbidden.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | 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 | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Only in the future |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Only in the future |
| 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 | Industrial & military effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Shipping lanes | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Introduced genetic material | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |