Key Biodiversity Areas

Aliakmonas gorge (1021)
Greece, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Stena Aliakmona
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.4500, Longitude: 22.1667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 100 to 600
Area of KBA (km2): 46.67067
Protected area coverage (%): 76.06
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: The site encompasses the lower Aliakmon valley close to Veria. The area is dominated by scrub and forest but also includes an artificial lake.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: This is an important area for resident raptors.

Habitats


Land use: forestry (30%) | not utilised (30%) | tourism/recreation (20%) | urban/industrial/transport (5%) | water management (20%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Shrubland50
Forest30
Wetlands(Inland)10
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)10

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are a planned road through the site, dam projects and more intensive use of the forests. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.