Ilhéu de Baixo e Costa Adjacente (19696)
Portugal, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Ilhéu de Baixo e Costa Adjacente
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.0167, Longitude: -27.9500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 150
Area of KBA (km2): 0.74934
Protected area coverage (%): 67.01
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site includes the area from the coastline up to the top of the seacliffs, from the area of Carapacho to the lighthouse of Restinga. The cliffs are covered by macaronesean woodland and cobbles. Included is the islet Ilhéu de Baixo.
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: Important for seabirds, especially because of the most important concentration of the Madeiran Storm Petrel and an important colony of Roseate Tern. At Ilhéu de Baixo there are two distinct populations of Madeiran Storm Petrels - one breeding from September to February and the other breeding from April to September.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 | |
| Introduced Vegetation | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The islet of Ilhéu de Baixo is very disturbed by local leisure activities. Capture of Cory's Shearwaters (chicks and adults) is a common practice for fishermen. Feral terrestrial mammals (dogs, cats, rats and weasels) affect most of the seabirds, especially those who nest in holes and burrows. Invasive plant species like the cane reduces the available nesting habitat for seabirds. The absence of the establishment of the SPA by the regional law constitutes a weakness in its surveillance and legal protection.