Mountain range and saltpans at Cabo de Gata (1835)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Sierra y salinas de Cabo de Gata
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.8333, Longitude: -2.0833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 478
Area of KBA (km2): 467.26869
Protected area coverage (%): 83.71
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site includes coastal mountains with dry vegetation and an area of saltpans, that supports steppe vegetation. The main human activities are arable and livestock-farming, salt production and tourism.
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: Breeding birds include four of the 20 species in Europe that are restricted to the Mediterranean biome (when breeding).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 26 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 7 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 7 | |
| Desert | 26 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 7 | |
| Shrubland | 26 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include sand extraction, building and tourism development. There are also problems caused by overgrazing and agricultural intensification. The regional government has management plans for the protected areas.