Mount Olympos and pine forest of central Lesvos (1132)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Oros Olympos kai pefkodasos kentrikis Lesvou
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.0833, Longitude: 26.3333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 50 to 968
Area of KBA (km2): 173.48596
Protected area coverage (%): 97.97
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The top of the mountain is unvegetated. Below this is a band of mixed Pinus and Castanea woodland, with olive-groves in the lowland area. Human activities include livestock-farming, forestry and quarrying.
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 typical of Pinus forest and non-intensive olive groves. Breeding birds include six of the 21 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Mediterranean biome.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (40%) | forestry (10%) | not utilised (35%) | tourism/recreation (5%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 19 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Forest | 76 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include fires, forestry operations, overgrazing and road building. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.