Sierra Nevada mountain range (1877)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Sierra Nevada
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.0833, Longitude: -3.1667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 350 to 3481
Area of KBA (km2): 2437.85746
Protected area coverage (%): 71.43
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A mountain range dominated by scrub and grassland. There are also Pinus plantations, some native Pinus forest and broadleaved deciduous forest. The main human activities are livestock-farming, game hunting and recreation.
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 area for breeding raptors and species characteristic of Mediterranean habitats.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | forestry | hunting (26%) | nature conservation and research (26%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 7 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 26 | |
| Grassland | 7 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 7 | |
| Forest | 26 | |
| Shrubland | 26 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from overgrazing and development associated with tourism. There has been a management plan since 1994.