Albufeira do Caia (19682)
Portugal, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2002

National site name: Albufeira do Caia

Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.0333, Longitude: -7.2000

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 190 to 310

Area of KBA (km²): 89.83109

Protected area coverage (%): 61.43

KBA classification: Regional

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site included: Albufeira do Caia(Caia Lagoon), a little branch of a River Caia and the surrounding area that is boundaried by the closest roads. Albufeira do Caia is one of the largest in Alentejo, with a maximum of 1970 ha. of flooded area, and holds several islands. The margins, currently with rare water-fringe vegetation, are soft sloped.Evergreen woodland of oak, Quercus ilex, cereal cultivations and pastures are predominants, but also there are some olives, irrigation cultures, little areas with scrubs and water-fringe vegetation

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: Albufeira do Caia(Lagoon Caia) is one of the most important area for waterbirds, and the surrounding area holds significative populations of some steppic species.Breeding at site:Glareola Pratincola, Sterna albifrons, Himantopus himantopus (60-70 pairs in 2001), Netta rufina (20-25 adults in 1999) and ocasionally, Gelochelidon nilotica (minimum 12 adults in 1999).It is the only inner site where Sterna albifrons breeds.Herons breding here with 5 species registered. In the winter are registered important populations of anatidae, Fulica sp., Podiceps cristatus and gulls.In this season and during migration is usually the presence of Pandion haliaetus.This site is also important for passage of ciconiformes and limicolines. The surrounding area holds significative populations of Burhinus oedicnemus, Circus pygargus, Tetrax tetrax and Otis tarda, also Grus grus is here and sometimes passes the night in the albufeira

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | forestry | tourism/recreation | water management

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	33
Artificial - Terrestrial	33
Forest	33

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is a management plan for Albufeira and a protected band of 500m, but the absence of control and politics will for implement it, permit almost everything.The mean causes of degradation of quality water are urban effluents, pasturing in flooded area and diffuse pollution of agricultural explorations. The recreation and tourism are serius disturbances for birds, especially in reproductive season.Due to SPEA and Natural Park of Serra de São Mamede there are some management measures especially managed to Glareola pratincola, Sterna albifrons and Pandion haliaetus.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Transportation & service corridors	Utility & service lines		Ongoing

Additional information