Confluent des vallées de la Meuse et de la Chiers (2223)
France, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Confluent des vallées de la Meuse et de la Chiers
Central coordinates: Latitude: 49.6333, Longitude: 4.1333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 160 to 170
Area of KBA (km2): 48.89672
Protected area coverage (%): 72.63
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of meadows, rivers, ponds and gravel-pits, arable land and Populus groves.
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: This is an important site for passage waterbirds and thrushes (Turdidae), and wintering waterbirds. The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds on passage, on a regular basis (including Vanellus vanellus 20,000-50,000 individuals). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (10-15 passage individuals).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (90%) | fisheries/aquaculture (5%) | forestry (12%) | hunting (90%) | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 81 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 7 | |
| Grassland | 12 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are the cultivation of wet meadows and afforestation with Populus.