Acherontas gorge and estuary (1035)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Stena kai ekvoles Acheronta
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.2500, Longitude: 20.5000
System: freshwater, marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 350
Area of KBA (km2): 62.57838
Protected area coverage (%): 89.88
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The inland part of the site consists of arable cultivation and a gorge with cliffs, deciduous forest and scrub. The coastal delta includes brackish marshes and low, scrub-dominated hills. Human activities include arable agriculture, livestock-farming, recreation and hunting.
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, passage and wintering waterbirds and raptors. Breeding birds include eight of the 21 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Mediterranean biome. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Phalacrocorax pygmeus (wintering), Pelecanus crispus (non-breeding), Aythya nyroca (non-breeding), Gallinago media (passage).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | tourism/recreation (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 13 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 27 | |
| Shrubland | 15 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Major threats are from drainage, agricultural expansion and hunting. The area is a candidate SAC.