Northern slope of Guadarrama mountain range (1936)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Umbría de Guadarrama
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.8667, Longitude: -4.0833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 880 to 2428
Area of KBA (km2): 699.4693
Protected area coverage (%): 94.66
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Northern slope of the Guadarrama mountain range in the Sistema Central with Quercus pyrenaica and Pinus sylvestris woodland and Q. rotundifolia below 1,000 m. There are also large areas of degraded scrub and above 1,800 m Cytisus and Juniperus scrub. The main human activities are cattle-farming, game hunting and skiing.
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: This is a very important area for breeding raptors. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (4-5 breeding pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry (26%) | hunting | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 26 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 11 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 11 | |
| Shrubland | 26 | |
| Grassland | 26 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from recreational activities, building developments and infrastructural developments.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Agro-industry plantations | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (unknown use) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Light pollution | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing |