Key Biodiversity Areas

Alcántara reservoir-Cuatro Lugares (1724)
Spain, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Embalse de Alcántara - Cuatro Lugares
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.7500, Longitude: -6.5000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 250 to 815
Area of KBA (km2): 947.84658
Protected area coverage (%): 19.74
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site includes a huge reservoir and surrounding dry grasslands, sclerophyllous scrub, dehesa, olive-groves and arable land. There are some old Pinus plantations. Human activities include sheep-grazing, forestry, hunting and recreation.
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 site for breeding storks, raptors and steppic species and wintering Grus grus.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture (26%) | forestry | tourism/recreation
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland16
Forest26
Artificial - Terrestrial16
Shrubland26
Wetlands(Inland)16

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from irrigation of arable land, disturbance from recreational use of the reservoir, and plans for a new road.
Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Biological resource useHunting & collecting terrestrial animalsIntentional use (species being assessed is the target)Ongoing
Natural system modificationsFire & fire suppressionIncrease in fire frequency/intensityOngoing
Transportation & service corridorsRoads & railroadsOngoing
Transportation & service corridorsUtility & service linesOngoing