Lerida steppes (1930)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Secans de Lleida
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.6667, Longitude: 1.1333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 829
Area of KBA (km2): 1222.84874
Protected area coverage (%): 45.77
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A steppe area in the Ebro valley dominated by cereal crops and locally olive- and almond-groves. In the higher areas Quercus and Pinus woodlands occur.
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 steppic species and dispersing juvenile raptors. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (7-15 breeding pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (90%) | forestry (10%) | hunting (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 80 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Forest | 9 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from hunting, plans to irrigate the cereal crops and forestry operations.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing |