Prespa National Park and Varnountas mountains (1015)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Ethniko Parko Prespon kai ori Varnounta
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.7500, Longitude: 21.0500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 849 to 2334
Area of KBA (km2): 326.37019
Protected area coverage (%): 99.54
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Two freshwater lakes, Mikri and Megali Prespa, in a mountainous area. The lakes have extensive reedbeds (Phragmites) and small areas of wet meadow. The site lies adjacent to Albanian IBAs 003 and 004 and to site 006 in the FYR Macedonia.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: This is an important site for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (3 breeding pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (15%) | fisheries/aquaculture (27%) | forestry (40%) | nature conservation and research (5%) | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 3 | |
| Forest | 40 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 30 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Grassland | 17 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from hunting, disturbance and agricultural intensification. The area is a candidate SAC.