Campo Maior (388)
Portugal, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Campo Maior
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.9833, Longitude: -7.0000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 190 to 341
Area of KBA (km2): 95.7697
Protected area coverage (%): 98.05
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Open plains used for cultivation of cereals (mostly wheat) in rotation with melon, sunflower and tomato. Pastoral woodland and fallow areas are grazed by sheep and cattle. Low level of human activity.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: An important area for steppic species, specially for the conservation of Otis tarda in Portugal, as well as one of the most important wintering sites for Grus grus.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (70%) | forestry (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 67 | |
| Forest | 29 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The non-intensive cultivation of cereals maintains favourable habitat for steppic bird species, but the advent of irrigated crops in the IBA and the construction of a large dam nearby, to provide water for further irrigation, are strong indicators that further agricultural intensification will take place in the future. Birds are disturbed by the increasing road-traffic and by irrigation structures operating in the vicinity.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Pinto & Hellmich (1996)