Velence Lake–Dinnyés Lake (1387)
Hungary, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Velencei-tó–Dinnyési-fertő
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.1667, Longitude: 18.5167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 102 to 112
Area of KBA (km2): 19.71321
Protected area coverage (%): 94.78
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lake Velence is the third-largest lake in the country, measuring 10.5 km in length and 3.3 km in breadth, with an average depth of 1-2 m. There are extensive reed-beds with Phragmites and Typha, and adjacent wet meadows. Human activities include fishing, angling, sailing, boating and reed-harvesting (`Other' land-use, below).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: An important site for breeding herons (Ardeidae) and ducks, and as a roosting site for geese in winter. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (4-5 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (15%) | nature conservation and research (30%) | tourism/recreation (40%) | water management (70%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 70 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Grassland | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Main threats are disturbance to birds, and over-abstraction. Water-levels are artificially maintained in order to protect the ecological integrity of the site, and to prolong opportunities for recreational use. Wildfowl shooting is banned, and a management plan for Fertõ was prepared in 1996. Expansion of the protected area at Dinnyés by 600 ha is underway.