Coastal marshes at the mouth of the River Guadiana with sand beaches, halophytic scrub, and numerous abandoned saltpans. Human activities include scrub collection, fishing and tourism.
Key biodiversity
A very important area for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threats are from uncontrolled building, irrigation schemes and aquaculture projects. Levels of disturbance from tourists are high.
Protected areas
National Partial International None2,145 ha of IBA covered by Natural Landscape (Marismas de Isla Cristina-Ayamonte, 2,145 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Isla Cristina and Ayamonte marshes and Prado lagoon. Downloaded from
http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/1853 on 28/05/2023.
