This mountain range is located between the historical territories of Biscay and Álava, forming part of the east-west axis of the Basque mountain range and the Cantabrian-Mediterranean watershed. Several peaks in the massif exceed 1,200 meters in altitude. The predominant lithologies are limestone in the Biscay sector, giving rise to steep cliffs, and lapis lazuli, and siliceous in Álava, with gentler, more rounded relief. Several major watercourses originate in the massif, carving out deep ravines. Gorbeia’s forestry potential is evident in the large expanse occupied by native broadleaf forests, although conifer plantations also cover significant areas. Pastures for livestock extend across the slopes and highlands, especially in the Biscay sector, with extensive sedge meadows being the dominant habitats on the Alava peaks.
ZEC Gorbeia – ES2110009
OVERVIEW
Area (ha): 20.226,45 ha
Natura 2000 Code: ES2110009
Within the territorial scope of the SAC, other protection statuses are included in accordance with national or regional legislation, such as the declaration of the Gorbeia Natural Park in 1994, in accordance with the provisions of Law 16/1994, of June 30, on nature conservation in the Basque Country, and by Decree 228/1994. The area is also home to the Itxina Protected Biotope (Decree 368/1995). In 2016, by Decree 40/2016, of March 8, Gorbeia (ES2110009) was also designated a Special Conservation Area, and its conservation objectives were established.
CURRENT SITUATION AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS OF THE PROJECT
The traditional uses of the area are agriculture, livestock, and forestry. Furthermore, the area is subject to significant pressure from recreational activity, concentrated in specific areas. Most of the land, just over 16,242 hectares (80% of the surface area), is publicly owned, while the remaining 20% is privately owned. In general, it should be noted that private property is more abundant in the Biscay area, while in the Álava area, most of the land is publicly owned.
Within the public heritage, there are various types: on the one hand, Public Utility Forests (approximately 14,935 ha) encompass properties belonging to the Deputies, as well as the Administrative Boards, and even community properties; on the other hand, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia has several heritage forests (216 ha).
The uniqueness of the Gorbeia SAC in the Natura 2000 Network of the Basque Country is due to the presence of certain habitats of community interest, either due to their size and/or their uniqueness, highlighting the Habitats of Community Interest 4020* – Atlantic wet meadows of temperate zones of Erica ciliaris and Erica tetralix, and 6230* – Herbaceous formations with Nardus, with numerous species, on siliceous substrates of mountainous areas (and submontane areas of continental Europe) on which the project will act to improve their conditions.