Albufera de Mallorca and Albufereta de Pollença marshes (1887)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: S'Albufera de Mallorca y S'Albufereta de Pollença
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.7833, Longitude: 3.1000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 6
Area of KBA (km2): 29.36107
Protected area coverage (%): 90.18
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Two wetlands in northern Mallorca. The Albufera has a large coastal lagoon connected to the sea but also areas of standing freshwater. There are extensive areas of marsh vegetation dominated by Phragmites, Scirpus and Cladium. There are also abandoned saltpans and sand-dunes with Mediterranean scrub and Pinus forest. The Albufereta has open water and also areas of reedbed (Phragmites) and Tamarix scrub.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: This is a very important site for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds, raptors and passerines˜190 bird species have been recorded. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (wintering).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | hunting (10%) | nature conservation and research (90%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 27 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 27 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 27 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from hunting in the Albufereta and urban expansion. The IBA overlaps with Natural Area of Special Interest (S'Albufereta).
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Suppression in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (unknown use) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Run-off | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Oil spills | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Air-borne pollutants | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Thermal pollution | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Light pollution | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing |