Sotavento beach (1991)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Playa de Sotavento
Central coordinates: Latitude: 28.1333, Longitude: -14.2333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 3.71822
Protected area coverage (%): 84.96
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Located in the south of Fuerteventura, the site comprises a stretch of sandy beach and a line of sandy, muddy offshore bars. Human activities include sand extraction.
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: The site is very important for breeding Charadrius alexandrinus, and is one of the best sites in the Canaries for wintering and migrating waders, gulls and terns.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (26%) | tourism/recreation (26%) | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 33 | |
| Desert | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Residential and tourism developments pose a threat to the habitat and its birds.