Valtou mountains (1136)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Ori Valtou
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.1167, Longitude: 21.3167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 1852
Area of KBA (km2): 275.88378
Protected area coverage (%): 57.79
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A long ridge west of the River Acheloos. The site is dominated by maquis, oak Quercus woodland, and at higher altitudes fir Abies forests. Human activities include stock-raising and arable agriculture.
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: The site is important for species typical of Mediterranean woodland and scrub. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (4-8 breeding pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (70%) | not utilised (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 35 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 4 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 9 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 7 | |
| Forest | 44 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is threatened by agricultural intensification, grazing preventing forest regeneration and a planned construction of a new dam on the River Acheloos.