Cuchillete de Buenavista-gully of La Torre-Los Alares (1986)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Cuchillete de Buenavista - Barranco de La Torre - Los Alares
Central coordinates: Latitude: 28.4000, Longitude: -13.8333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 416
Area of KBA (km2): 86.7903
Protected area coverage (%): 72.83
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site comprises a mountainous area with rocky plains, and includes a gully with running water, and saltpans and sea cliffs at the coast. Scrub, drought-resistant grassland and crops all occur. Human activities include cattle-grazing.
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 raptors, El Cuchillete de Buenavista holds the largest number of breeding Neophron percnopterus in the Canaries. It is also the most important area on Fuerteventura for Pterocles orientalis. The coast and saltpans support wintering and migrating waders.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | fisheries/aquaculture | hunting (26%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 12 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 12 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 26 | |
| Desert | 12 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 12 | |
| Grassland | 26 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat is posed by tourism (for example, jeep-safaris). Additional threats include bird collisions with electric powerlines, the possible construction of an aerodrome and illegal hunting. Five censuses of Chlamydotis undulata have been undertaken since 1979, and bird collisions with powerlines are monitored.