Guara mountain range (1779)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Sierra y Cañones de Guara
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.3333, Longitude: -0.1667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 600 to 2077
Area of KBA (km2): 1006.2876
Protected area coverage (%): 81.11
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A massif at the southern edge of the Pyrenees with large limestone cliffs and deep gorges. There are extensive areas of scrub and grassland. Main human activities are livestock-farming, forestry, hunting, and recreation.
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 a very important area for cliff-nesting and forest species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | forestry | hunting (26%) | military | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 16 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 16 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 26 | |
| Shrubland | 26 | |
| Forest | 16 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include uncontrolled outdoor sports and recreation, hunting and fires. A reduction in the area of arable cultivation has resulted in a drop in the rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus population which has affected raptor populations. A management plan was approved in 1997.