River Ebro ox-bow lakes (1794)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Galachos y Riberas del Río Ebro
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.5000, Longitude: -0.7500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 160 to 206
Area of KBA (km2): 125.1009
Protected area coverage (%): 31.81
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A 25-km stretch of the River Ebro downstream from Zaragoza, including a number of abandoned meanders. Some areas of alluvial woodland, ponds and small areas of marsh vegetation remain in an otherwise intensively cultivated area.
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 site for breeding herons and migrating passerines.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (50%) | forestry (30%) | hunting (85%) | nature conservation and research (15%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 22 | |
| Forest | 26 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 52 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Major threats include the destruction of riverine forest, afforestation with Populus plantations, sand and gravel extraction, hunting, and industrial and urban pollution.