Odiel and Tinto marshes and Huelva coastal lagoons (1854)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Marismas del Tinto y del Odiel y Lagunas Costeras de Huelva
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.2500, Longitude: -6.8333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 40
Area of KBA (km2): 222.49453
Protected area coverage (%): 77.35
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large area of tidal marshes at the mouths of the Rivers Tinto and Odiel. There are extensive areas of mud and halophytic scrub and some saltpans. The main human activities are fishing, shellfish collecting and tourism.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: This is an important wetland for breeding, wintering and passage waterbirds with the second most important Platalea leucorodia breeding colony in Spain.
Delineation rationale: 2015-04-23 (BL Secretariat): site area adjusted from 14900 ha (IBA2000) to 6050 ha (Arcos et al. 2009).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 17 | |
| Shrubland | 17 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 17 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 17 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 17 | |
| Marine Neritic | 17 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from industrial pollution, infrastructural development and uncontrolled tourism. A management plan exists for part of the site.