Las Villuercas mountain range (1727)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Sierra de Las Villuercas
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.6667, Longitude: -5.4167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 350 to 1443
Area of KBA (km2): 1908.86862
Protected area coverage (%): 44.44
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A mountainous area with dense oak Quercus forest, Castanea sativa woodland, Pinus plantations and extensive areas of scrub. Around villages there are arable fields, olive-groves, grasslands and dehesas.
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 an important site for breeding raptors and Ciconia nigra.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | hunting (26%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 16 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 16 | |
| Shrubland | 26 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 16 | |
| Forest | 26 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are the construction of new dams and roads, urban development, and hunting pressure. Aquila adalberti is vulnerable to disturbance by livestock.