Key Biodiversity Areas

La Mola of Formentera (1883)
Spain, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1aA1cD1a
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: La Mola de Formentera
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.6667, Longitude: 1.4667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 200
Area of KBA (km2): 10.98366
Protected area coverage (%): 92.16
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: A peninsula in eastern Formentera with high coastal cliffs. The main human activities are arable agriculture 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: An important site for breeding seabirds, particularly Puffinus yelkouan, and cliff-nesting raptors. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Larus audouinii (10 resident pairs).

Habitats


Land use: agriculture
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Marine Coastal/Supratidal13
Shrubland15
Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic)13
Forest20
Artificial - Terrestrial40

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from widespread legal and illegal hunting, collection of Puffinus yelkouan chicks, illegal housing, predation from feral cats, and disturbance from tourism. The IBA overlaps with Natural Area of Special Interest (Cala Compte-Cala Bassa).