Sobrón canyon (1670)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Hoz de Sobrón
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.7667, Longitude: -3.0833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 480 to 1173
Area of KBA (km2): 53.98001
Protected area coverage (%): 88.09
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area includes a gorge of the River Ebro, with cliffs and slopes covered by Fagus and Quercus woodland, scrub and Pinus plantations. The main human activities are arable agriculture, livestock-farming and hunting.
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 area for resident raptors.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (30%) | forestry (20%) | hunting (80%) | not utilised (25%) | tourism/recreation (10%) | water management (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 14 | |
| Forest | 59 | |
| Shrubland | 9 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The major threats are from intensive forestry operations and a high hunting pressure. Threats are also posed by the erection of powerlines.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the future |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |