Costa das Flores (19689)
Portugal, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Costa das Flores
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.4500, Longitude: -31.2167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 673
Area of KBA (km2): 9.47419
Protected area coverage (%): 88.50
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA follows the coastline of the island of Flores in three different areas: between Santa Cruz and Fajã Grande the coast is low, up to 100m; between Mosteiro and Lages, the cliffs are higher, up to 650m, and some small islets are included; finally, in the zone of Caveira, there is a seacliff of dificult access with ca. 300m high. In total there are about 20 islets, the most important being Baixa do Moinho and the Ilhéu da Lagoa.
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: Particular importance for seabirds, especially Cory's Shearwater, Little Shearwater and Madeiran Storm Petrel. Also important for Common and Roseate Terns, for which in some years this area has the best numbers for the Roseate Tern. Common occurrence of nearctic birds.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced Vegetation | 33 | |
| Shrubland | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: All habitats are quite well protected. The colonies of terns are however threatened by human disturbance. Feral terrestrial mammals (dogs, cats, rats and weasels) affect most of the seabirds, especially those who nest in holes and burrows. Capture of Cory's Shearwaters exist in small scale. Invasive plant species like the cane reduces the available nesting habitat for seabirds. There is a management plan for the SPA Costa Nordeste. The surveillance programme of the Roseate Terns in Baixa do Moinho and Alagoa was started in 1993. Natural land slides increases erosion and reduces availability of nesting areas for the seabirds.
Additional information
References: Del Nevo et al. (1990)Monteiro & Groz (1999)Monteiro et al. (1998,1999, inedit)Pereira et al (2000)Rodrigues & Nunes (2002)