Torrecilla and Gigante mountain ranges (1913)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Sierra de la Torrecilla y del Gigante
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.7500, Longitude: -1.8500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 400 to 1494
Area of KBA (km2): 469.66567
Protected area coverage (%): 52.95
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mountains, in the west of the Murcia region, with Pinus, Quercus and Juniperus woodland, steppic habitats and non-irrigated crops. Agriculture, forestry, mining and hunting are the most important human activities.
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 cliff-nesting birds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (breeding).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | forestry | hunting (26%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 16 | |
| Forest | 26 | |
| Grassland | 16 | |
| Shrubland | 26 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 16 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from the expansion of crops grown under plastic, disturbance from sporting activities, the expansion of mining, and potential groundwater extraction for crop irrigation.