Geropotamos estuary, Crete (1168)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Ekvoli Geropotamou Kritis
Central coordinates: Latitude: 35.0500, Longitude: 24.7667
System: freshwater, marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 6.11246
Protected area coverage (%): 81.42
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A river delta on Crete with a mix of grassland, sand-dunes and scrub.
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 passage waterbirds.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (70%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 23 | |
| Grassland | 40 | |
| Marine Neritic | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 23 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from tourism, housing developments and hunting. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.