Chingudi-Bidasoa estuary (1932)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Estuario del Bidasoa (Txingudi)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.3667, Longitude: -1.7833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 9.40067
Protected area coverage (%): 23.91
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A highly developed estuary on the Atlantic border between Spain and France. The site includes sandy beaches, cliffs, large areas of intertidal mud, grasslands, reedbeds (Phragmites) and some riverine woodland. Main human activities are agriculture, fisheries, tourism and industry.
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: A very important area for passage and wintering seabirds and waders.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | fisheries/aquaculture (5%) | tourism/recreation (20%) | urban/industrial/transport (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 20 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 20 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 25 | |
| Forest | 10 | |
| Marine Neritic | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from dredging, industrial, transport and urban development, tourism and illegal hunting. A management and recovery plan exists but has not been implemented.