Mount Athos and surrounding marine area (1010)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Oros Athos kai gyro thalassia periochi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.1667, Longitude: 24.3333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 2033
Area of KBA (km2): 291.58247
Protected area coverage (%): 99.23
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A coastal area of rugged hills and mountains. The site covers the southern part of the peninsula of Agion Oros.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: This is a nationally important area for breeding and passage raptors. Shearwaters occur offshore. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni, Larus audouinii.
Delineation rationale: 2012-12-17 (BL Secretariat): site area updated from 12000 ha to 29158 ha after addition of seaward extension to the site in October 2012 for the Marine eAtlas.
Habitats
Land use: forestry (50%) | nature conservation and research (20%) | not utilised (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 32 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Marine Neritic | 10 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 | |
| Forest | 48 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from logging, intensive forest management and a disease that kills Castanea sativa (`Other' threats).