Alcañiz salt lakes (1798)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Saladas de Alcañiz
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.0500, Longitude: -0.2667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 360 to 400
Area of KBA (km2): 66.02824
Protected area coverage (%): 9.85
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site contains a number of small, seasonal salt-lakes and associated halophytic vegetation. The surrounding areas are dominated by cereal cultivation.
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 steppic birds and Grus grus on passage. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (10-15 breeding pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | hunting (26%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 26 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 26 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are irrigation schemes and illegal hunting.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future |