Gabriel y Galán reservoir (1721)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Embalse de Gabriel y Galán
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.2667, Longitude: -6.2667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 300 to 900
Area of KBA (km2): 538.0353
Protected area coverage (%): 40.36
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A reservoir on the River Alagón surrounded by dehesas, plantations of Pinus pinaster, grassland and arable cultivation.
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 breeding Ciconia nigra and wintering Grus grus. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (2 resident pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | hunting | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Forest | 60 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Afforestation with Eucalyptus, increasing use of irrigation in arable crops and plans for a new road are the major threats to the site.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Large dams | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing |