Etangs de Leucate et Lapalme (2285)
France, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Etangs de Leucate et Lapalme
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.8833, Longitude: 3.0000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 69
Area of KBA (km2): 2185.35802
Protected area coverage (%): 84.78
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A complex of coastal habitats, including saltmarshes and lagoons.
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 and wintering wetland birds and passage raptors and passerines. The site is a major migratory bottleneck, where 20,000 or more raptors regularly pass (including Pernis apivorus 15,000; Milvus migrans 3,000). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Larus audouinii (passage).
Delineation rationale: Includes a large seaward extension area (204510 ha) delineated on the basis of foraging area of breeding seabirds.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | hunting | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 38 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Marine Neritic | 5 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 38 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Urbanization, the consolidation of land into larger more homogeneous units, and the expansion of tourism are the main threats.