Current view: Text account
Site description (2002 baseline):
Site location and context
This site includes the National Park of Peneda-Gerês, the oldest protection area in Portugal (since 1971) and the only National Park. From Castro Laboreiro plateau to Mourela, it embraces the granitic mountains of Peneda, Soajo, Amarela and Gerês. A great habitat diversity is present due to the different exposure to atlantic climatic influence of each of these mountains. The atlantic, mediterranean and continental influences and the diversify land orientation, favour the existence of several microclimates.One of the only sites in Portugal where nearly unalterated ecosystems are found, with low human influence, integrated in humanizated landscape. The forest are mainly formed by oaks. Arbutus-trees, hollies, portuguese laurel-cherries, pine-trees and white birches are also found. Shrublands of turzes, heathers and genistas are characteristic of higher lands. There are also some endemisms like the lily, the fern and the yarrow of Gerês.
The area supports important numbers of breeding raptors, and is the main Portuguese stronghold for
Lanius collurio and
Emberiza hortulana. Several birds are at their south-western limit in Europe, including
L. collurio and
Saxicola rubetra. The avifauna is rich, with more than 120 breeding species.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
There is a management plan for the National Park(1995)The principal threats are burning of vegetation and the
Acacia tree who is invading native vegetation and is considered a plague.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
National: National Park Peneda Gerês(1971, 52883ha, 84% of the area ....)
National:National park Peneda Gerês,52883 included in IBASpecial Protection Area Serra do Gerês,62922ha overlaps with IBA.SIC proposal Serras da Peneda Gerês,88845ha, and includes 57829 ha of IBA)
International: Special Protection Area Serra do GerêsSICs proposal Serras da Peneda Gerês
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Gerês mountains (Portugal). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/gerês-mountains-iba-portugal on 23/11/2024.
