Acheloos valley (1038)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Koilada Acheloou
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.3000, Longitude: 21.4167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 400 to 1750
Area of KBA (km2): 104.78034
Protected area coverage (%): 59.57
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A mountainous area with scrub and deciduous forests and conifer forest at higher altitudes. A gorge with steep cliffs runs through the centre of the site. Human activities include livestock-farming, hunting, and forestry.
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 site for species characteristic of forest, scrub and open montane habitats.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | forestry (10%) | not utilised (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 20 | |
| Forest | 40 | |
| Shrubland | 40 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: A dense road network causes problems of soil erosion and also provides access to the forest for loggers and illegal hunters. Afforestation with Pinus species is a potential threat to the deciduous forest. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.