Bardenas Reales (1759)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Las Bardenas Reales
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.1667, Longitude: -1.5000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 290 to 646
Area of KBA (km2): 584.25044
Protected area coverage (%): 87.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of steppe along the River Ebro. The site has a mixture of non-irrigated cereal cultivation, dry grassland, scrub and small Pinus woods.
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: Breeding birds include four of the 20 species in Europe that are restricted to the Mediterranean biome (when breeding). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Otis tarda (non-breeding).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (100%) | hunting (95%) | military (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 38 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 8 | |
| Grassland | 23 | |
| Shrubland | 31 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is a high level of disturbance from visitors, severe overgrazing and an increasing use of irrigation of arable crops.