Lower Tisza Valley (1398)
Hungary, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Alsó-Tisza-völgy
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.2500, Longitude: 20.1667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 76 to 87
Area of KBA (km2): 294.8367
Protected area coverage (%): 95.45
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is situated between the River Tisza and the sandy highlands of Kiskunság, to the north of the town of Szeged. Fish-ponds and saline lakes are surrounded by saline grassland, arable land, orchards and forestry plantations. Some of the fish-ponds contain large reedbeds (Phragmites), and native forest exists along the River Tisza. Human activities include arable farming, horticulture, reed-harvesting (`Other' land-use, below) and hunting.
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 area for both breeding and passage waterbirds.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | fisheries/aquaculture (12%) | forestry (13%) | nature conservation and research (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Forest | 8 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 22 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats to the site arise from conflicts of interest with fish farmers (inappropriate management of water and reedbeds, disturbance and persecution of birds). Wildfowl shooting is banned, and a management plan exists for the area.