Gavdos and Gavdopoula islands, Crete (1178)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Nisoi Gavdos kai Gavdopoula Kritis
Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.8500, Longitude: 24.0833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 386
Area of KBA (km2): 115.86533
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Two islands south of Crete. Gavdos is covered with maquis, phrygana, and Pinus and Juniperus forest. Gavdopoula is covered with phrygana.
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 area for passage migrants.
Delineation rationale: 2012-12-17 (BL Secretariat): site area updated from 3600 ha to 11587 ha after addition of seaward extension to the site in October 2012 for the Marine eAtlas.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | not utilised | tourism/recreation (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 9 | |
| Forest | 27 | |
| Shrubland | 45 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 9 | |
| Marine Neritic | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats include uncontrolled tourism development and plans to construct an industrial unit on Gavdopoula islet. The area is a candidate SAC.