South-west coast of Portugal (375)
Portugal, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c
Year of last assessment: 2019
National site name: Costa Sudoeste
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.3667, Longitude: -8.8333
System: freshwater, marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 217
Area of KBA (km2): 1008.62651
Protected area coverage (%): 98.16
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Extensive area, following coast-line, that comprises the atlantic coastal band between S. Torpes and the Burgau. Alternate dunes and sandy zones, cliffs and ravines, islets and rocks, with water lines where included firths, rivers and streams. From the main water courses that dischargue in this area, River Mira and Riveira de Odeceixe are to relate. This IBA's territory can be divided in three areas: the litoral plateau, between S. Torpes and Vila do Bispo, mainly sandy, it represents the most continous and large area; the litoral mountains, that border at the East the big plateau; and the barrocal (place full of ruts, crags and caves), that begins at S. Vicente's coast and extends to the East, in a little calcareous hills chain.
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: Important nesting area for rupicolous birds, like Falco peregrinus. passage zone for soaring birds and transahrian migratory passerines. Last iberian breeding area for Pandion haliaetus, recently extinct.The only european site where Ciconia ciconia nests in cliffs and rocky islets. Areas of agricultural plateaus are important for steppic non-breeding species like Tetrax tetrax, Otis tarda and Burhinus oedicnemus.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry | hunting | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 17 | |
| Marine Neritic | 17 | |
| Forest | 17 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 17 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 17 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 17 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Due to ongoing land-abandonment, the extent of scrub is increasing at the expense of non-intensive farmland. Coastal erosion is a problem and the development of tourist infrastructure poses strong pressures. Cliff-nesting birds are disturbed by professional and amateur anglers. A few endemic plant species occur at this site.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Palma & Beja (1994), Beja et al. (1998), Catry (2002).