Izki is located in the transition mountain range of the Basque Country, between the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates. It is characterized by an extensive forest mass settled on a vast sandy plain, crossed by small ravines carved by numerous tributaries of the Izki River, which crosses the area from west to east, and into which a multitude of streams and small ponds drain. The area is framed by various limestone elevations and mountains, the most notable being the peaks of Mount Kapildui (1,180 m), Mount San Justi (1,021 m), Mount San Cristóbal (1,055 m), as well as the limestone mounds of Mantxibio (939 m), Soila (989 m), and La Muela (1,059 m).
ZEC Izki – ES2110019
OVERVIEW
Area (ha): 9.482,1 ha
Natura 2000 Code: ES2110019
Other protection statuses according to national or regional legislation:
Within the territorial scope of the SAC, other protection statuses are included in accordance with national or regional legislation. The Izki SAC/SPA was designated a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) in 1997. Likewise, most of the SAC and SPA were declared a Natural Park in 1998 (Decree 65/1998), in accordance with Law 16/1994 on Nature Conservation in the Basque Country. By Decree 33/2016, of March 1, Izki (ES2110019) was also designated a Special Conservation Area (SAC) and a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA), and its conservation objectives were established.
CURRENT SITUATION AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS OF THE PROJECT
Izki is located in the eastern part of Araba/Álava (Basque Country), in the Montaña Alavesa region. It borders the Vitoria, Okina, and Berroci Mountains to the north, the Berrón River to the east, the valleys of the lower Sierra de Toloño to the south, and the County of Treviño (Burgos, Castile and León) to the west.
The area is dominated by forestry, extensive livestock farming, and, to a lesser extent, agricultural crops. Forestry uses focus on firewood, firewood, forest clearings, and timber extraction. There are also some coniferous forest plantations. Extensive livestock farming focuses primarily on raising horses and cattle, which graze in the mountains for most of the year. Flocks of sheep and goats are much less common.
In terms of ownership, the majority of the land (more than 95%) is publicly owned and belongs to Public Utility Forests, whose owners are the Administrative Boards.
The uniqueness of the Izki SAC/SPA within the Basque Country’s Natura 2000 Network is due to the presence of certain habitats of community interest, including Habitats of Community Interest 3170* (Mediterranean temporary pools), 4020* (Atlantic temperate wetlands of Erica ciliaris and Erica tetralix), 7210* (calcareous bogs of Cladium mariscus and Caricion davallianae species), and 7220* (petrifying springs with travertine formation (Cratoneurion), on which the project will act to improve their conditions.