Aggtelek Karst (1399)
Hungary, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Aggteleki-karszt
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.4833, Longitude: 20.5500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 143 to 604
Area of KBA (km2): 235.92575
Protected area coverage (%): 99.82
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is situated on the Hungarian part of the Gömör-Torna karst plateau, adjacent to the Slovakian border. The main rock formation is Triassic limestone, which is overlain by forest soils. These soils support extensive areas of native deciduous forest, rocky grasslands and wet meadows, whilst the valleys are extensively farmed.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: An important area for raptors and forest birds, with Crex crex breeding in the valleys.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (5%) | forestry (80%) | nature conservation and research (100%) | tourism/recreation (70%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 15 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Forest | 70 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The Aggtelek National Park Authority undertook a basic ecological survey between 1991 and 1994. By 1996 management planning was in process, along with monitoring of Crex crex and Lanius numbers.