Ampurdán marshes (1808)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Aiguamolls de l'Empordà
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.2000, Longitude: 3.1167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 45
Area of KBA (km2): 50.63904
Protected area coverage (%): 97.48
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A coastal wetland complex with saltmarshes, coastal lagoons and freshwater ponds, humid grasslands and riverine forest. The area is used for sheep-grazing and rice 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 breeding, wintering and passage herons and wildfowl.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | forestry | nature conservation and research (90%) | tourism/recreation (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 47 | |
| Grassland | 23 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 | |
| Forest | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include degradation of the site by urbanization and tourism activities, pollution from the use of pesticides in the surrounding crops, and electric powerlines. Water management in the Integral Reserve is difficult because the land is privately-owned (`Other' threats, above). Ciconia ciconia and Porphyrio porphyrio have been reintroduced.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Small dams | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing |