Albufera de Valencia marshes (1823)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Albufera de Valencia
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.3333, Longitude: -0.2500
System: freshwater, marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 60
Area of KBA (km2): 360.94281
Protected area coverage (%): 74.98
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A freshwater coastal lagoon with abundant emergent vegetation and several islands, and a coastal Pinus woodland. The area also includes 14,000 ha of rice cultivation.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: This is a very important site for breeding and wintering waterbirds.
Delineation rationale: 2015-04-23 (BL Secretariat): site area adjusted from 21120 ha (IBA2000) to 15800 ha (Arcos et al. 2009).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (72%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | hunting (60%) | nature conservation and research (25%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 7 | |
| Forest | 7 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 14 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 73 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Pollution from agricultural, urban and industrial sources is a serious problem. Other threats include illegal drainage of rice cultivation, high levels of hunting, urban development and tourism development.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing |