Thasos island and Xironisi islet (1091)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Nisos Thasos kai Xironisi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.6667, Longitude: 24.6667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 1213
Area of KBA (km2): 106.58799
Protected area coverage (%): 94.16
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A coastal mountain with steep rocky slopes, large subalpine meadows, pine Pinus forest, and broadleaved forest. There is also a wetland with reedbeds (Phragmites).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The site is important for raptors and migratory species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | fisheries/aquaculture (5%) | forestry (20%) | tourism/recreation (30%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 15 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 7 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 13 | |
| Shrubland | 40 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Seventy-five percent of the forested area has been burned during the last 10 years. Other threats are overgrazing by cattle, quarrying, intensive hunting and logging in the remnant Pinus forest.