Covering a large area of the mountainous limestone and dolomite massif of Sierra de Gádor, it is a natural area historically linked to lead mining, but today provides ecosystem support and essential water resources for one of the most productive farming areas in Europe. In addition, with an area that exceeds 50,000 hectares, it is the largest protected natural land area in Almeria province, excluding Sierra Nevada (shared with Granada).

The area varies greatly in altitude, reaching 2,236 metres above sea level in El Morrón. Another characteristic feature of the mountain range from, an orographic point of view, is the network of ravines (Palmer, Caballar, Infierno and Cacín) and dry riverbeds (Alcora and Carcauz, among others) that drain it. Impressive cliff sides are an ideal habitat for rupicolous species, and offer a challenge to the even the most experienced climbers.

The semi-arid ecosystems in the eastern and lower areas of the south side host a great diversity of habitats of community interest, and many of them priority, such as the arborescent scrubland of Ziziphus, which is also considered endemic to southeast Iberia and under threat. Also endemic and under threat are species of flora and fauna, such as the Iberus gualtieranus snail and the Androcymbium europaeum (Almeria saffron).

The high mountain ecosystems boast equally high biodiversity, with diverse, sometime exclusive endemic flora such as the Gádor astragalus, Gádor cress, Seseli intricatum and Gádor Alyssum. In terms of fauna, the ( Rossomyrmex minuchae ) ant, an endemic species found in the summits of the Iberian southeast, is particularly interesting.

Both the semi-arid and high mountain ecosystems are a conservation priority in the Special Area of Conservation, together with Dupont´s lark, a declining species under threat, whose populations Andalusia are limited to specific areas in Almeria and Granada provinces.