Bihar Plain (1414)
Hungary, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Bihari-síkság
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.1000, Longitude: 21.4333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 86 to 131
Area of KBA (km2): 508.93866
Protected area coverage (%): 86.13
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A poorly-drained flood-plain situated between alluvial fans, and overlain by meadow and saline soils. The site is made up of four subsites: Nagy-Kerek-tiszta at Püspökladány, Gatály at Szerep, ásvány at Bihardancsháza, and the largest site, which lies between Váncsod and Csökmõ. The area is dominated by saline grasslands, which form a mosaic with extensive arable lands. Human activities include cattle- and sheep-grazing, goose and arable farming.
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 birds of lowland dry grassland. The site is part of a wider network of grassland fragments and includes areas that hold important local populations of Otis tarda. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (8 wintering birds), Aquila heliaca (1-5 birds on passage).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (95%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Due to poor soil conditions the majority of the area is regarded as less favoured for agriculture purposes. Protection measures for Otis tarda are in place through MME, although extensive land-reclamation works, including the installation of irrigation systems, have destroyed areas of O. tarda habitat.