Zemplén Mountains (1389)
Hungary, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Zempléni-hegység
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.5000, Longitude: 21.4167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 94 to 896
Area of KBA (km2): 941.89237
Protected area coverage (%): 95.47
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Situated near to the town of Sárospatak, and surrounded by the flood-plains of the Bodrog and Hernád rivers. Quercus, Carpinus and Fagus dominate the submontane forests, with montane Fagus forests existing on the northern slopes. Old, traditional orchards, vineyards and pastures occur in valleys and on slopes. Human activities include haymaking, grazing, hunting and mining.
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 most important site for raptors in Hungary, with large numbers of woodpeckers also present: Picus canus, Dendrocopos medius and D. syriacus.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (5%) | forestry (90%) | nature conservation and research (10%) | tourism/recreation (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Forest | 80 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The abandonment of pasture management and afforestation with spruce Picea has reduced the feeding area available to raptors. The damming of the Aranyos valley and a quarry at Pálháza have been proposed, and gold-prospecting in Telkibánya district and unregulated tourism are additional problems. The existing protected area is being enlarged. MME Zemplén Chapter protects raptor nest-sites, and the Directorate of Bükk National Park is re-creating mountain meadows.