The Sierra de la Culebra Special Area (SAC) is located in the northwest of the province of Zamora, affecting 13 municipalities and surrounded by the regions of Aliste, Carballeda, Sanabria, Tierra de Campos, and Tras Os Montes (the latter belonging to Portugal). This area breaks the continuity between the cliffs of Aliste to the south and Carballeda-Sanabria to the north, developing a gentle relief dominated by Armorican quartzite (Lower Ordovician), which forms the most prominent ridges and walls of the mountain range. The slates (Cambrian to the north and Middle and Upper Ordovician to the south) have been more severely affected by erosion. The highest altitude is Peña Mira at 1,241 m. It is notable for the significant presence of Eryngium viviparum.
ZEC Sierra de la Culebra – ES4190033
OVERVIEW
Area (ha): 61.305,20 ha
Natura 2000 Code: ES4190033
Within the territorial scope of the ZEC, other protection statuses are included in accordance with national or regional legislation. This area is covered by the Plan for Protected Natural Areas of Castilla y León and Natural Recreation Areas: PIEN Sierra de la Culebra, and 31 Public Utility Forests have been identified. A Protected Area under International Instruments has also been designated as a Biosphere Reserve: the Iberian Plateau Transboundary Biosphere Reserve.
CURRENT SITUATION AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS OF THE PROJECT
The main land use in the Fuentes Carrionas and Fuente Cobre – Montaña Palentina SAC (ES4140011) is forestry, comprising grasslands (32%), closed forests (29%), scrublands (23%), and open forests (11%). The remaining land area is occupied by agriculture (3%), water bodies (1%), and artificial soil (1%).
Regarding land ownership, the majority is public (69%), while private land accounts for 21%. The remaining 10% is considered undetermined. The proposed actions in the project on habitat 3170* and on *Eryngium viviparum and its habitat are located on public land.
In the Sierra de la Culebra Endangered Species Conservation Area (ES4190033), populations of Eryngium viviparum 1603* are significant, and its inclusion in the project is considered essential for the conservation of the species at the regional level. The actions proposed by the project in the Sierra de la Culebra Endangered Species Conservation Area will significantly contribute to the conservation of the populations and habitat of the Eryngium viviparum 1603* species.