Ponta do Pargo (19674)
Portugal, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Ponta do Pargo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 32.8000, Longitude: -17.2500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 643
Area of KBA (km2): 11.63349
Protected area coverage (%): 26.59
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: West tip of Madeira island. The Ponta do Pargo presents a large diversity of habitats that confers a great importance to birds. The coast is constituted by rocky steep cliffs and fajãs (areas of cliffs collapse). In the highest zone there are agricultural parcels and herbaceous vegetation interrupted by shrub fences. We can also find pine-woods, eucalyptus,grasslands and shrublands.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: Ponta do Pargo is a very important place for birds due to its habitat diversity that allows a great variety of species. Fajãsand seacliffs hold impotant colonies of Oceanodroma castro and other seabirds like Calonectris diomedea. In cliffs we can also find Apus unicolor. Arable lands are not only important to species like Serinus canaria or Anthus berthelottii, but also to birds of prey like Accipiter nisus grantii, who nests in pine-woods and eucalyptus, and hunts here.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | hunting | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 20 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Marine Neritic | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat for this area is tourism pressure and the possibility of development of tourist projects with impact on birds populations.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Only in the future |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Bannerman & Bannerman (1963), Zino & Biscoito (1994), Câmara (1997), Oliveira (1999)