Monfragüe (1725)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1c, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Monfragüe
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.6667, Longitude: -5.7500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 320 to 839
Area of KBA (km2): 1793.38652
Protected area coverage (%): 65.36
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site encompasses a range of hills with many cliffs and gullies and the Rivers Tajo and Tiétar. There are extensive areas of dense sclerophyllous scrub, small Quercus-dominated woodlands and areas of dehesa, as well as some Eucalyptus plantations.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: This is a very important area for breeding raptors, particularly Aegypius monachus and also for Ciconia nigra. Breeding birds include seven of the 20 species in Europe that are restricted to the Mediterranean biome (when breeding).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | forestry | hunting | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 16 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 16 | |
| Grassland | 16 | |
| Forest | 26 | |
| Shrubland | 26 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats to the site are disturbance from visitors and potential infrastructural developments, especially road building and river regulation. A management plan is being produced. Eucalyptus plantations are being removed.
| 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 | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | 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 | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |