The León Central Mountain Special Protected Area (SAC) (ES4130050) is a mountainous area of great contrasts, presenting an interesting lithological complexity, where calcareous and siliceous substrates alternate. A pronounced relief predominates—but there is also room for exceptional, wide valleys—which preserves morphological features of glacial origin and evidence of karst processes, with a clear predominance of scrub and grassland formations. The scarce representation of tree vegetation corresponds to beech, juniper, oak, holm oak, and hazel forests in the calcareous areas, while oak, beech, and birch groves are found in the siliceous areas. Also noteworthy is the presence of large areas of coniferous forests. Rocky and peaty habitats complete a landscape where the Bernesga, Torío, and Curueño rivers originate. This significant ecosystem diversity makes this area of great interest as an ecological corridor, particularly for the brown bear (Ursus arctos). In fact, this sector of the Cantabrian Mountains corresponds to the area of discontinuity between the eastern and western subpopulations of this species.
ZEC Montaña Central de León – ES4130050
OVERVIEW
Area (ha): 34.351,90 ha
Natura 2000 Code: ES4130050
Within the territorial scope of the ZEC, other protected statuses are included in accordance with national or regional legislation. Up to 66 Public Utility Forests, 2 Livestock Trails, and 7 proposed Flora Microreserves have been identified. In addition, three Protected Areas under International Instruments have been designated as Biosphere Reserves: Alto Bernesga, Los Argüellos, and the Omaña and Luna Valleys.
CURRENT SITUATION AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS OF THE PROJECT
Land use in the León Central Mountain Special Area (ES4130050) is predominantly forested, with 47% scrubland, 31% pasture, 9% closed forest, and 8% open forest. The remaining land area is used for agriculture (4%) and artificial soil (1%).
Regarding land ownership, the majority is public (67%), while private land accounts for 29%. The remaining 4% is considered undetermined. The actions proposed in project 9560*, Endemic Forests with Juniperus spp., are located on public land managed by the JCYL.
The León Central Mountain SAC (ES4130050) has a high potential to increase the area occupied by habitat type 9560*, especially considering its close relationship with the neighboring San Emiliano Valley SAC (ES4130035) and the Picos de Europa SAC in Castilla y León (ES4130003), as well as the continuity that the Atlantic representations of type 9560* have with the Mediterranean populations of the same, present in the Fuentes Carrionas and Fuente Cobre-Montaña Palentina SACs (ES4140011), which will be recipients of LIFE GLOBAL conservation actions. The actions that the project proposes to carry out within the León Central Mountain SAC (ES4130050) will significantly favor the conservation of the habitat type 9560* Endemic Juniperus spp. forests. in Public Utility Forests in the province of León, managed by the JCYL, which guarantees the availability of the land and its subsequent monitoring and maintenance.