Almenara marshes (1822)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Estanys y Marjal de Almenara
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.7667, Longitude: -0.2333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 29.59025
Protected area coverage (%): 51.84
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Formerly an area of marshland with only a few lagoons remaining. The main human activities are arable cultivation and hunting.
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 waders, breeding and wintering herons and wintering ducks. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (five wintering individuals).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | hunting (80%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 15 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 13 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 13 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 60 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include intensive hunting in winter, urban development and rubbish dumping, over-exploitation of water and agricultural intensification.