Key Biodiversity Areas

Monts et Plomb du Cantal (2148)
France, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Monts et Plomb du Cantal
Central coordinates: Latitude: 45.0833, Longitude: 2.7333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 850 to 1855
Area of KBA (km2): 64.79683
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Fast-flowing rivers and streams, peatbogs, deciduous and conifer woodlands, uncultivated land, mountains and cliffs. Human activities include forestry, cattle-grazing, hunting and recreation.
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 important for passage migrants, particularly raptors, Ciconia ciconia, C. nigra, Columba palumbus and Turdus torquatus. The site is a migratory bottleneck, where more than 3,000 raptors regularly pass (including Pernis apivorus 2,000; Milvus migrans 2,000; Milvus milvus 1,800).

Habitats


Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry | hunting | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)20
Shrubland20
Forest20
Artificial - Terrestrial20
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)20

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is threatened by plans to expand the existing ski-station and other development projects. Disturbance from trail bikes, four-wheel-drive vehicles and hunting activities are also major threats.