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Site description (2002 baseline):
Site location and context
Steep valleys with cliffs and Mediterranean scrub, located at the eastern border of central Portugal. The riverbed is much wider than it was 25 years ago, due to the construction of a large dam, and now allows the small-boat traffic of professional fishermen and recreational purposes.This site includes a great diversity of habitats that hold a wide mediterranean animal and vegetal diversity.
This area has a great value due to its wide diversity of species, withh special importance of cliff-nesting species and some steppic birds in plain areas. This site holds the greates population in Portugal of ciconia nigra and a significative proportion of large raptors. Also it is the only place in Portugal with breeding
Aegypius monachus and still it is possible to found a
Pterocles alchata.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Important cliff-nesting species are disturbed by boating and fishing activity in the reservoirs along the cliffs. In recent years several forest plantations (Eucalyptus) and special hunting areas have been established along the edge of the site, which have affected birds. In particular, there have been attempts in the hunting areas to control predators, including large raptors (`Other' threat).
National Natural park 23441ha, 16627 ha overlaps with IBA Special Protection Area Tejo Internacional, Erges e Ponsul,25764 ha overlaps with IBAInternational: Special Protection Area Tejo Internacional, Erges e Ponsul
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Upper River Tejo (Portugal). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/upper-river-tejo-iba-portugal on 22/12/2024.
