Etangs Montpellierains (2291)
France, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Etangs Montpellierains
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.5333, Longitude: 3.9667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 127.16947
Protected area coverage (%): 95.39
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Saltwater lagoons and saltmarshes with reedbeds (Phragmites), abandoned salinas and orchards.
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: The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds on passage and in winter, on a regular basis. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Tetrax tetrax (breeding, passage).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | hunting | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 30 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 30 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 30 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The IBA is adversely affected by shellfish gathering at night and by night hunting using live decoys. There is also industrial development at Pérols. Expansion of the airport within the IBA is possible.