Mérida-Montijo reservoir (1739)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Mérida - Embalse de Montijo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.9167, Longitude: -6.4167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 46.28417
Protected area coverage (%): 8.17
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site comprises the town of Mérida, its surrounding area and nearby reservoirs. There is a mosaic of habitats with arable cultivation, olive-groves, dehesas, Quercus woodland, and alluvial vegetation. The area is used for grazing and hunting.
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 and wintering herons.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | hunting
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 26 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 37 | |
| Forest | 37 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Urbanization and infrastructural developments are the main threats.