Gredos and Candelario mountain ranges (1682)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Sierras de Gredos y Candelario
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.3333, Longitude: -4.9167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 400 to 2592
Area of KBA (km2): 1861.33149
Protected area coverage (%): 81.47
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A mountain range in the Sistema Central. The dominant vegetation-types are Quercus woodland, Pinus plantations, Genista and Cytisus scrub, and alpine grassland. Human activities include forestry, cattle-grazing in summer pastures, hunting and tourism.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: This is an important area for forest- and cliff-nesting raptors. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (3 resident pairs).
Habitats
Land use: forestry (26%) | hunting (26%) | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 36 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Forest | 36 | |
| Grassland | 14 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Building, an increase in the number of roads, inappropriate forestry management, hunting, and scrub burning are threats to the site. The use of poison baits is deleteriously affecting raptors.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| 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 | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |