Areta, Archuba and Zariquieta mountain ranges (1762)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Montes de Areta, Artxuba y Zariquieta
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.7833, Longitude: -1.3667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 1475
Area of KBA (km2): 247.84288
Protected area coverage (%): 82.05
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Two mountainous areas to the east of Pamplona, with limestone cliffs, Pinus woodland, grassland and scrub. The main human activities are livestock-farming, hunting and forestry.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: This is an important site for cliff-nesting raptors and forest birds.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (90%) | forestry (40%) | hunting (80%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 15 | |
| Shrubland | 40 | |
| Forest | 40 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Forestry operations and the creation of new forest tracks are threats to the site. The construction of the Itoiz reservoir will affect the area. The IBA also includes nine Wild Fauna Reserves covering 1,770 ha, declared by the regional government in 1995. Management plans exist for the protected sites.