Key Biodiversity Areas

Cazorla and Segura mountain ranges (1846)
Spain, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1bB1
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Sierras de Cazorla y Segura
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.0000, Longitude: -2.6667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 450 to 2383
Area of KBA (km2): 2496.75349
Protected area coverage (%): 97.92
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Mountains with cliffs, extensive Pinus forests, small Quercus woodlands, grasslands and extensive areas of scrub. The main human activities are game hunting, forestry, sheep-grazing, apiculture (`Other' land-use, below) 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: This is an important site for breeding raptors.

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (50%) | forestry (40%) | hunting (50%) | nature conservation and research (80%) | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport | water management
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland5
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)5
Shrubland26
Forest49
Artificial - Terrestrial5
Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic)5
Wetlands(Inland)5

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from the large numbers of tourists visiting the area and infrastructure developments in the Guadalquivir valley. The site has a management plan. Conservation activities have included the reintroduction of Gypaetus barbatus. This is one of the largest protected areas in Europe.