Ritsa (135)
Georgia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Ritsa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.4667, Longitude: 40.5667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 300 to 2500
Area of KBA (km2): 165.17173
Protected area coverage (%): 99.03
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lake Ritsa and the wooded slopes (forest predominantly of Abies and Fagus) surrounding it on the southern spurs of the Great Caucasus range. There are also small areas of meadows, and deep river gorges.
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 avifauna includes at least two of the 10 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high-montane biome. A total of 110 species was recorded at the site in the early 1980s; at least 69 species breed, including Gypaetus barbatus, Gyps fulvus, Aquila chrysaetos, Falco peregrinus, Bubo bubo and other owls, as well as woodpeckers. Predominant in the subalpine zone are Anthus spinoletta, Carduelis flavirostris and Carpodacus erythrinus. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (occurs).
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Forest | 83 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat is the impact of tourists on Lake Ritsa and its environs. The site was first designated as a Zapovednik in 1930. It lies within the proposed Abkhazeti Protected Area, part of the Georgian protected-area system whose establishment is now under way.