Moncayo mountain range (1799)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Sierra del Moncayo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.7500, Longitude: -1.8333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 600 to 2316
Area of KBA (km2): 498.31509
Protected area coverage (%): 61.34
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An isolated massif that has been subject to deforestation. Some Quercus, Fagus and Pinus forests remain on the northern slopes. The main human activities are livestock-farming and hunting.
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 species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (80%) | forestry (30%) | hunting (95%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 15 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 30 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Forest | 40 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from logging, a dam project and forest fires. A management plan exists for the Natural Park.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Large dams | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Only in the future |