Santa Pola salt-pans (1825)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Salinas de Santa Pola
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.2167, Longitude: -0.5833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 25.37714
Protected area coverage (%): 94.44
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of saltpans surrounded by artificial freshwater and brackish ponds with dense plant cover.
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 an important site for breeding and wintering waterbirds.
Habitats
Land use: hunting (90%) | nature conservation and research (5%) | urban/industrial/transport (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Aquatic | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats come from the high hunting pressure, a central access road and urbanization along the beach zone. A management plan for the Natural Park has existed since 1994.