La Dehesa grasslands (2022)
Spain, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: La Dehesa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.7333, Longitude: -18.1333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 300 to 1200
Area of KBA (km2): 20.53697
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of dry grassland and agricultural land in the north-west of El Hierro, with a small Juniperus turbinata copse. Human activities include cattle-grazing.
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 also important for steppic birds such as Burhinus oedicnemus, and is one of the two most important sites on the island for migrating passerines.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (26%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 19 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 19 | |
| Introduced Vegetation | 19 | |
| Grassland | 26 | |
| Forest | 19 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Overgrazing reduces vegetation cover and can result in soil loss. The high density of feral cats Felis catus poses a threat to breeding birds, and illegal hunting is an additional problem.