Ta'Cenc cliffs (44)
Malta, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Rdum Ta'Cenc
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.0333, Longitude: 14.2333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 120 to 120
Area of KBA (km2): 0.16607
Protected area coverage (%): 98.60
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Sheer sea cliffs (135 m high), on the island of Gozo, with profuse vegetation on some ledges.
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 support the largest breeding colony of Calonectris diomedea in the Maltese islands, and are a stronghold for Monticola solitarius. One of the last known breeding pairs of Falco peregrinus in Malta nested here, but was shot in the early 1980s, and a pair of Tyto alba used to breed here in the 1970s. The rocky cliff-top area is one of the best breeding areas in Malta for Calandrella brachydactyla, Sylvia conspicillata and Miliaria calandra.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 95 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Illegal shooting and trapping of birds is a problem. The site is threatened by proposed tourist development. The cliffs are of interest for their undisturbed garrigue vegetation and associated animal communities.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Light pollution | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future |