La Serena (1751)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: La Serena
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.8333, Longitude: -5.5000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 300 to 744
Area of KBA (km2): 1060.46262
Protected area coverage (%): 92.35
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large area of dry grassland with occasional areas of cereal cultivation. The grasslands are used for sheep grazing. There are three large dams on the site's rivers.
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 area of exceptional importance for steppic species, although their populations have been declining since the 1980s.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (100%) | hunting (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Grassland | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Enlargement of the area of irrigated crops, the building of another dam and several other infrastructure projects (oil pipeline, gas pipeline, electric powerlines) are the most important threats. Crop spraying is a further threat. The area is prone to drought.