Key Biodiversity Areas

Mount Gkiona (1042)
Greece, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Oros Gkiona
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.6167, Longitude: 22.2667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 600 to 2510
Area of KBA (km2): 172.34695
Protected area coverage (%): 91.77
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: A mountain with extensive rocky areas and alpine grasslands. Human activities include livestock-farming, hunting, mining and recreation. The Reka ravine is used for the water-supply to the town of Amfissa.
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 raptors and alpine species. Breeding birds include four of the 10 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high-montane biome.

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (90%) | forestry (30%) | hunting
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland42
Forest39
Shrubland5
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)15

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from open-cast bauxite mining and the use of poisoned baits. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.