Megalo and Mikro Livari lagoons, Istiaia (1047)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Limnothalasses Megalo kai Mikro Livari Istiaias
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.0000, Longitude: 23.1333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 3
Area of KBA (km2): 10.17379
Protected area coverage (%): 99.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A small coastal wetland near Istiea, fed by freshwater springs and streams, with two lagoons, and riverine forest.
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 passage and wintering waterbirds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (6-10 passage individuals), Falco naumanni (passage).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (22%) | fisheries/aquaculture (62%) | tourism/recreation (11%) | urban/industrial/transport (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 12 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 12 | |
| Marine Neritic | 44 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 12 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 12 | |
| Grassland | 9 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are illegal building of holiday houses, dredging and infilling at Livari, expansion of arable land, logging of the alluvial forest, hunting, and grazing pressure. The area is a candidate SAC.