Börzsöny (1385)
Hungary, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Börzsöny
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.9167, Longitude: 18.9167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 110 to 939
Area of KBA (km2): 278.37728
Protected area coverage (%): 96.06
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A range of low mountains situated between the Danube bend and Ipoly river. The lower slopes are covered by oak Quercus forest, the higher slopes by submontane Quercus, Carpinus and Fagus forest. Montane Fagus forest extends to near the peaks. Human activities include horticulture, arable farming and skiing; pastures are mostly abandoned.
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: An important area for raptors and forest birds.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | forestry (90%) | nature conservation and research (20%) | tourism/recreation (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Forest | 70 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The abandonment of pasture management may lead to scrub encroachment, with a consequent loss of feeding areas for raptors (the nest sites of which are protected). Intensified forest management causes problems of changing age structure and disturbance to birds. Large-scale tourism results in disturbance to birds and habitat degradation, and necessitates road construction.