Durmitor (114)
Montenegro, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Durmitor
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.1167, Longitude: 19.0167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 2522
Area of KBA (km2): 514.45409
Protected area coverage (%): 69.60
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Durmitor is located at a high altitude in northwestern Montenegro, surrounded by the Tara, Komarnica, and Sušica canyons. It features mountains, alpine pastures, glacial lakes, and deep river canyons, with peaks like Bobotov Kuk reaching 2,522 meters. Tara canyon, the deepest river canyon in Europe, runs along the northern border, while the extensive lake plateau is characterized by a mix of forests, grasslands, and rocky areas.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: <br>
Manageability of the site: Site identified based on BirdLife International's Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, under which manageability is strongly recommended but not explicitly documented
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The site’s varied habitats include coniferous and mixed forests (22% and 14% respectively), transitional woodland, natural grasslands, and sparsely vegetated rocky areas. The forests transition from mixed conifer and beech in lower areas to creeping pine and open alpine grasslands near the peaks. A substantial part of Durmitor is protected under Durmitor National Park and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 62 | |
| Grassland | 17 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 1 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Durmitor faces pressures from unregulated urban development, logging (both illegal and legal), and increased off-road vehicle use, which degrade habitats. Key areas like the Šaranci region remain outside park boundaries, leaving critical habitats for species such as the Capercaillie vulnerable to fragmentation and degradation.
Additional information
References: Rubinić, B., Sackl, P. and Gramatikov, M., 2019. Conserving of wild birds in Montenegro. The first inventory of potential Special Protection Areas in Montenegro. AAM Consulting, Budapest. xiii.
Contributors: Site identified based on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by the BirdLife International Partnership