Cogul-Alfés steppes (1793)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Cogul - Alfés
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.5000, Longitude: 0.6667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 100 to 352
Area of KBA (km2): 234.22418
Protected area coverage (%): 63.46
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A steppe area in Cataluña comprising undulating plains with non-irrigated cereal cultivation, interspersed with garrigue-like low scrub and almond trees.
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 area for steppic species, particularly Chersophilus duponti.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | hunting | military | tourism/recreation | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 26 | |
| Shrubland | 26 | |
| Grassland | 26 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 22 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area is seriously threatened by irrigation schemes to permit agricultural intensification. A private airport, that holds a population of Chersophilus duponti, has plans to expand. There is a zonal plan approved by the European Commission but not implemented by the Catalonian regional government.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Flight paths | Ongoing |