Sabôr and Maçãs (390)
Portugal, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2002

National site name: Sabôr e Maçãs

Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.5167, Longitude: -6.6500

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 215 to 840

Area of KBA (km²): 506.52693

Protected area coverage (%): 95.55

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Steep valleys with high cliffs in the watershed of the Sabôr river (the best well-preserved tributary of the Douro, at the moment) in north-east Portugal. There is sclerophyllous scrub and farmland on the intervening plateaus.

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: The site holds important numbers of cliff-nesting bird species.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | hunting | water management

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Shrubland	52
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)	10
Artificial - Terrestrial	30
Wetlands(Inland)	8

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is not a management plan for this Red Natura 2000 site. There are plans to build several large dams in the site which will flood most of it.The national road EN315 has strongly impacted in the Bonellis Eagle ( Hieraaetus fasciatus) breeding area. Other national roads are also planned for this area. The river bed is exploited for shingle.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Large dams	Ongoing

Additional information