Key Biodiversity Areas

Iruelas valley (1955)
Spain, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Valle de Iruelas y Cerro de Guisando
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.3667, Longitude: -4.5333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 850 to 1959
Area of KBA (km2): 125.42628
Protected area coverage (%): 95.39
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: A mountain valley with numerous gorges and streams. The dominant vegetation is scrub and Pinus forest with small areas of Quercus and Castanea woodland and riverine forest. The main human activities are forestry, hunting and livestock-farming.
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: An important area for resident raptors. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila adalberti (resident).

Habitats

Land use: agriculture (10%) | forestry (80%) | hunting | tourism/recreation
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Forest45
Shrubland36
Artificial - Terrestrial5
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)5
Grassland9

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from intensive forestry, forest fires and disturbance from parachuting.
Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Natural system modificationsFire & fire suppressionIncrease in fire frequency/intensityOnly in the future
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesProblematic native species/diseasesNamed speciesOngoing
PollutionExcess energyNoise pollutionOngoing
Residential & commercial developmentTourism & recreation areasOnly in the future
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOngoing
PollutionGarbage & solid wasteOngoing