Key Biodiversity Areas

Sierra Morena de Sevilla (1840)
Spain, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Sierra Morena de Sevilla
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.8333, Longitude: -6.0000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 260 to 968
Area of KBA (km2): 1816.15997
Protected area coverage (%): 97.30
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: A rugged mountainous area to the north of Sevilla, with steep-sided valleys. Vegetation comprises Mediterranean scrub, grassland, Quercus woodland and dehesas. The main human activities are livestock-farming and hunting.
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 raptors and passerines characteristic of Mediterranean habitats. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (20 breeding pairs).

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (26%) | forestry | hunting (26%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland16
Forest26
Shrubland26
Artificial - Terrestrial16
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)16

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from tourism and a large dam project. A management plan was officially approved in 1994.