Upper River Douro and Águeda valleys (363)
Portugal, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Douro Internacional e Vale do Águeda
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.0667, Longitude: -6.7667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 150 to 771
Area of KBA (km2): 507.22288
Protected area coverage (%): 95.97
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The central area of the site is constituted by little plateaus cross-cut by river valleis that run up to river Douro, where abound marshes rounded by hedgerows, crop-lands, vineyards, etc...Shrublands of cistus, genistas and holm oak are also important and forest of oaks and cork trees.
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 cliffs provide exceptionally good breeding habitat for raptors and other soaring birds that feed in near plateaus where agricultural and cattle breeding activities are developed. Is also important for mediterranean and pseudo-steppic birds.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | hunting | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area is almost undisturbed by human activities, although important cliff-nesting species are sometimes disturbed by boating and fishing in the reservoirs along the cliffs. The ongoing abandonment of cultivation and sheep-raising will reduce the food resources currently available for the large raptors.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Araujo, Neves & Rufino(1994)Monteiro (1995,1999,2000)Berliner(1996,2001)S:N:P:R:C:N.(1992)