Kato Olympos, Tempi gorge and mount Ossa (1031)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Kato Olympos, Tempi kai oros Ossa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.9000, Longitude: 22.5000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 10 to 1978
Area of KBA (km2): 700.53048
Protected area coverage (%): 74.37
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site includes two mountains separated by the Tembi valley. The western part of Kato Olympos is predominantly grassland and scrub, whilst eastern areas are well forested.
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: The site is important for breeding and passage raptors and as a migration corridor. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (non-breeding), Aquila heliaca (non-breeding), Falco naumanni (passage).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (55%) | forestry (35%) | hunting (40%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Shrubland | 30 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Forest | 35 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Logging and scrub burning are leading to gradual degradation of the habitat. Plans for a dam and reservoir in the gorge are a serious threat. The laying of poison baits continues and has already caused the loss of Gypaetus barbatus and Aegypius monachus from the site. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.