Urdaibai - Matxitxako (1663)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: Urdaibai - Matxitxako
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.3667, Longitude: -2.6833
System: terrestrial, marine
Elevation (m): 0 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 245.33555
Protected area coverage (%): 89.50
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Estuario profundo con algunos restos de vegetación palustre y comunidades vegetales salobres; extensas superficies de limo y bancos de arena. En la desembocadura existe un pequeño islote rocoso cubierto de hierba (Izaro). Gran acantilado costero, de naturaleza silícea, en su sector oriental, con brezal y encinar. La parte marina presenta una anchura variable desde costa, llegando a alcanzar en algunos puntos más de 7 km de ancho, ocupando algo más de 200 km2 a lo largo de unos 30 km de la línea de costa.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: Importante lugar de reposo de la población atlántico-europea de Espátula Común (hasta 417 en 1995). Zona de paso de muchas especies de limícolas. Tres islotes acogen poblaciones importantes de Paíño Europeo, y se ha detectado recientemente una pequeña colonia de Garceta Común en Izaro. En los acantilados crían el Cormorán Moñudo (50-65 pp) y el Halcón Peregrino.
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
Delineation rationale: site area adjusted from 4000 ha (IBA2000) to 20860 ha (Arcos et al. 2009) and then to 24528 ha (Infante et al 2011).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Densamente poblada destacando las poblaciones de Mundana, Bermeo, Bakio o Gorliz. La zona principal está protegida. Actividad pesquera, marisqueo no profesional y algo de agricultura.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Las principales amenazas son las molestias producidas por los turistas, el intenso marisqueo no profesional y la pesca de arrastre. La presión urbanística es muy elevada. Los dragados también suponen una importante amenaza. En la parte occidental de la IBA podrían instalarse parques eólicos, aunque ha sido incluida como "zona con condicionantes", de acuerdo con el estudio estratégico ambiental español.
| 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 |
Additional information
Contributors: Site identified based on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by the BirdLife International Partnership