Guadalquivir marshes (1855)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A1d, A1e, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Marismas del Guadalquivir
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.0000, Longitude: -6.4167
System: freshwater, marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 2517.02452
Protected area coverage (%): 55.91
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: One of the largest wetlands in Europe, at the mouth of the River Guadalquivir. In the north and east natural vegetation has been replaced with rice cultivation, irrigated cultivation, aquaculture, and saltpans, although there are still expanses of halophytic scrub. Marshes, Mediterranean scrub, woodland and sand-dunes occur to the south. The marshes are flooded only seasonally with some permanent rivers and lagoons. The main human activities include arable agriculture, cattle-grazing, hunting, fishing, fish-farming, research, 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: The most important wetland in Spain for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds and passerines. Over 360 species have been recorded. Wintering waterbird numbers reach 400,000 individuals climbing to over 6 million birds during migration periods. The site is a major migratory bottleneck, where more than 20,000 storks and raptors regularly pass. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (wintering).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry (26%) | hunting (26%) | military | nature conservation and research (26%) | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 12 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 12 | |
| Grassland | 12 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 24 | |
| Shrubland | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There are numerous threats and problems. Perhaps the most important of these relate to the expansion and intensification of agriculture, particularly the uncontrolled use of pesticides and over-exploitation of groundwater. Other threats include a high poaching pressure, intensive crayfish fishing, an increase in fish-farming, industrial pollution with heavy metals which caused a major ecological disaster in 1998, urban development, uncontrolled tourism, and hunting and road construction. There is a research station, a water management plan and a sustainable development plan.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Light pollution | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Temperature extremes | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Oil & gas drilling | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |