Crau (2328)
France, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Crau
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.6000, Longitude: 4.8667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 20 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 441.56616
Protected area coverage (%): 89.11
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of mainly dry calcareous grassland with sclerophyllous scrub, and old orchards. The main land-uses are extensive traditional sheep-farming; and growing almonds and olives.
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: This is the only large semi-arid plain in France, and supports important populations of typical steppe breeding species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Grassland | 82 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is seriously threatened by: the cultivation and modification of steppe-meadows; the use of irrigation; the felling of old almond and olive orchards and their replacement with commercial groves; the leasing out of military training areas for agricultural exploitation; disturbance from recreational activities and hunting; plans to build a motorway. These changes seriously threaten the populations of Tetrax tetrax, Burhinus oedicnemus and Pterocles alchata.