Mount Olympos (1023)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Oros Olympos
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.1333, Longitude: 22.4167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 2917
Area of KBA (km2): 460.48266
Protected area coverage (%): 53.42
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The highest mountain in Greece with extensive subalpine meadows, cliffs and Pinus woodland. At lower altitudes there are areas of broadleaved evergreen woodland.
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, forest species and species associated with open alpine areas. Breeding birds include four of the 10 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high-montane biome. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 25 | |
| Forest | 25 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 25 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include disorganized tourism development and the construction of numerous communication antennae. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.