EU Special Protection Area number 56, ‘Encinares del río Alberche y Cofio’ (SPA 56) is an area of outstanding ecological and aesthetic value that contains a wide variety of plant species, animal and bird habitats and human land-uses. Covering approximately 830 sq. km and located 40km to the west of the city of Madrid, Spain, the area lies on the southern slopes of the Sierra de Guadarrama and Sierra de Gredos and is home to a diverse range of wildlife. The area is designated a special protection area under the EU 'Bird Directive' as part of the Natura2000 conservation network.

The endemic Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) is a notable example of the species the SPA is designed to protect; with less than 400 individuals remaining this is one of the most endangered birds of prey in the world. Other endangered species include the Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus), the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), the Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) and the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra). Populations of endangered mammals include the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardina), endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, and the Spanish Otter (Lutra lutra).

Habitats present in SPA 56 include pine forests, holm oak woodland, dehesa, and grasslands. Pinus pinea and P. pinaster are the dominant pine species. Quercus ilex is the dominant oak species (in both arboreal and shrub form) and often found in mixed stands with juniper (Juniperus phoenicea) or pine species, but also as wide expanses of dehesa. Dehesa' is open oak woodland maintained at a low tree density by periodic cutting and felling of trees. The space between trees is used for cultivation of cereals and pasture for grazing livestock as shown in Figure 1 below. Dehesa is used extensively across the SPA 56, and pine forests are frequently taken advantage of for the production of timber, resins and pine kernels.

Other tree species found are chestnut (Castena sativa) and, in riparian areas, alder (Alnus glutinosa). Fragmented scrubland is characterised by species of Cistus (e.g. Cistus ladanifer and C. laurifolius), lavender (e.g. Lavandula pedunculata) and Genista (e.g. Genista hirsuta).

Despite an approximately 30% increase in population between 1985-1999, SPA 56 has experienced a decline in both the number of farmers and total cultivated area, likely due to a drop in the recruitment of younger people into the sector. These younger workers have moved into other areas of the economy such as the construction and service sectors.

Indeed, the suggestion is that the area might become part of the Madrid’s commuter belt and/or ‘playground’, the eastern side of SPA 56 being only 45 minutes drive from the centre of the city. As both the city and the service sector of the region’s economy grow (allowing more free time for recreation) demand for recreation and residence outside the city is likely to increase. To highlight this, an increasingly evident trend across SPA 56 is the construction of secondary (holiday) residences and primary residences in municipalities with good communication links with the city of Madrid.

Links
Natura2000 - [Link]
EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) - [Link]
Sierra Oeste (local development org) - [Link]