Portugal

Castro Verde Special Protection Area (PTZPE0046):

Created in 1999 and later expanded in 2008, it is the most representative steppe area in Portugal, with a total area 85,345 ha and around 60,000 ha of pseudo-steppe. It covers the territory of 6 municipalities: Aljustrel (19%), Almodôvar (4%), Beja (12%), Castro Verde (85%), Mértola (8%) and Ourique (3%). This SPA has extensive agricultural areas, without tree and shrub vegetation, with agriculture and extensive livestock farming as predominant land uses; it also includes holm oak forests, moors dominated by cistus, and traditional olive groves.

Guadiana Valley Special Protection Area (PTZPE0047):

Created in 1999, with an area of 76,547 ha and overlapping the Guadiana Valley Natural Park (93%) and the Guadiana Site of Community Importance (SCI) (23%). It covers the territory of 4 municipalities:  Alcoutim (1%), Beja (5%), Mértola (82%) and Serpa (8%). This SPA is composed of plains with extensive dryland crops, areas of cistus and holm oak forests, and S. Barão and Alcaria Ruiva mountains and the valleys embedded in the Guadiana River and its tributaries, with cliffs and Mediterranean shrub.

Mourão/Moura/Barrancos Special Protection Area (PTZPE0045):

Created in 1999, with 84,909 ha, it covers the territory of Barrancos (21%), Moura (59%), Mourão (20%) and Serpa (1%) municipalities. Part of this SPA overlaps the Moura/Barrancos Site of Community Importance. It’s a very heterogeneous SPA, with an open extensive area for the cultivation of cereals and holm oak and cork oak forests; it has permanent pastures, vineyards and olive groves; it also has mediterranean water courses from the Ardila river basin and some rocky formations.

Tagus international, Erges and Pônsul Special Protection Area (PTZPE0042):

Created in 1999, it has 25,775 ha and overlaps the Tagus International Natural Park (76%).
It covers the territory of Castelo Branco (47%), Idanha-a-Nova (44%) and Vila Velha de Rodão (4%) municipalities. This SPA is constituted by the valleys of rivers Tagus, Pônsul, Aravil and Erges, and their tributaries, characterized by steep slopes, covered by Mediterranean shrub; the more flattened adjacent areas, are covered by holm oak forests, eucalyptus forests, traditional olive groves, dryland crops and pastures.

Piçarras Special Protection Area (PTZPE0058):

Classified by national legislation in 2008, this is a small pseudo-steppe area, with 2,827 ha. It covers the territories of Ourique (about 75%), Castro Verde (about 15%) and Almodôvar (about 10%). The main land use is the cereal steppe, based on the extensive cultivation of cereals in a traditional crop rotation scheme. This results in a mosaic of crops, fallows, stubble and fallow land. Fallows are usually used as pasture for sheep and cattle. There is also holm oak and cork oak forest, shrubland and olive groves. The SPA is flat with gentle slopes, which covers extensive low altitude areas (between 100 and 300 m).

Southwest Coast Special Protection Area (PTZPE0015):

Created in 1999, it includes 56,953 ha of land and 17,462 ha of sea. It covers the territories of Aljezur (43%), Odemira (12%), Sines (5%) and Vila do Bispo (62%). It is mainly composed of coastal habitats, including high cliffs, beaches and dunes. Different types of agricultural land use are also found, including traditional systems and crops associated with agriculture, dryland crops, orchards and cork oak forest. This SPA is recognised by its importance for the conservation of birdlife, constituting a migratory corridor for gliding birds, seabirds and passerines.

Évora Special Protection Area (PTZPE0055):

With 14,707 ha, this area is located exclusively in the Évora municipality, covering about 11% of the area of the municipality. It includes essentially agricultural areas where extensive cultivation of cereals predominates, some irrigation plots, olive groves and vineyards. Pasture is used for cattle and sheep farming. Most of the area is privately managed. This SPA constitutes an important location, connecting steppe birds from the north and south of this SPA.

Cuba Special Protection Area (PTZPE0057):

It is an agricultural area where cereal cultivation predominates, partially irrigated by the Alqueva irrigation system. It covers the territories of  Beja (~90%) and Cuba (~10%). It includes pasture for livestock, small olive groves and holm oak groves. It is crucial for the conservation of steppe birds, sheltering species like the great bustard and the little bustard that suffer from threats mainly related to agricultural intensification and loss of extensive systems.

Sabor and Maçãs  Special Protection Area (PTZPE0037):

The region is characterized by embedded valleys and mountainous relief, with a rich diversity of vegetation and human occupation. Activities such as olive growing, grazing, beekeeping, logging and hunting stand out. It covers the territories of Alfândega da Fé (5%), Bragança (15%), Macedo de Cavaleiros (5%), Miranda do Douro (0.5%), Mogadouro (31%), Torre de Moncorvo (8%) and Vimioso (35%). Natural conditions favor the nesting of riparian birds. The preservation of riverbanks and the quality of the water sustain bird populations such as the black stork and the water blackbird, making the area an important ecological corridor in Trás-os-Montes, which benefits both resident and migrant species.

Douro international and Agueda Valley Special Protection Area (PTZPE0038):

The region is characterised by a wide strip of terrains with  steep valleys in granitic subtract, presenting rich ecological diversity. It covers the territory of Almeida (0.2%), Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo (36%), Freixo de Espada à Cinta (25%), Miranda do Douro (9%), Mogadouro (15%), Torre de Moncorvo (3%) and Vila Nova de Foz Côa (6%). 

The slopes have diverse vegetation, affected by factors like slopes and sun exposure, with cistus and broom and forests of juniper, holm oak, cork oak and Cerquinho oak. While the plateaus and the gentle valleys are used for agriculture and grazing, the availability of these areas next to the slopes is key for bird biodiversity. The SPA is an important refugee for riparian birds in Europe.

Campo Maior Special Protection Area (PTZPE0043):

With 9,579 ha, this area is exclusively in the municipality of Campo Maior, covering about 39% of the area of the municipality. The area surrounding the Xévora river presents a mosaic of habitats that combine open cork oak forest and extensive pasture, where irrigation is predominant. In the South area, the agricultural activity is intense, with cereal crops and crop rotation that include vegetables and forage. This is an important region for conservation of steppe birds and represents one of the main locations for crane wintering in Portugal.

Veiros Special Protection Area (PTZPE0052):

With about 2,000 ha, Veiros SPA covers the territories of Monforte and Estremoz (about 50% each), This area is characterised by extensive pasture and cereal crops, mainly used for cattle and sheep farming. There are also small olive groves and holm cork forests. Since this area is key for conservation of steppe birds, its management should promote sustainable agricultural practices, as well as the maintenance of extensive cereal crops and the preservation of cork oak forests and traditional olive groves.

Vila Fernando Special Protection Area (PTZPE0053):

Vila Fernando SPA is an agricultural area predominantly of extensive and semi-intensive cereal crops, in addition to small olive groves and holm cork forests. It covers the territory of Elvas (approximately 96%) and Monforte (approximately 4%). The area is dominated by open agro-forestry-pastoralism systems and constitutes a crucial area for the conservation of steppe birds.

Valley of Côa Special Protection Area (PTZPE0039):

Classified in 1999, it covers an area of 20,607 hectares, essentially with mountainous terrain that corresponds to the terminal basin of the Côa River and the Massueime River. It is characterized by pre-forest scrubland, cork oaks, holm oaks and juniper trees. Its steep slopes are ideal for rupicolous birdlife, particularly the Egyptian vulture, golden eagle, griffon vulture and Bonelli's eagle. The area presents a mosaic of habitats shaped by various sectors of activity such as pastoralism and the cultivation of olive groves, almond trees and vines.