Metelys, Dusia & Obelija lakes (229)
Lithuania, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Meteliai (Meteliu, Dusios ir Obelijos ezerai)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 54.2833, Longitude: 23.7667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 100 to 120
Area of KBA (km2): 44.81202
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Three large lakes with differing habitat conditions. Dusia lake is mesotrophic, while Meteliai and Obelija lakes are eutrophic and have numerous reedbeds. Forests, meadows and marshes adjoin the lakes. Land-uses are varied, and include agriculture, fishing, forestry, recreation and human habitation.
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: The site is important for breeding Botaurus stellaris and crakes Porzana, and for moulting and migrating congregations of other waterbirds, especially Fulica atra. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (6-8 pairs), Crex crex.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (2%) | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry (1%) | rangeland/pastureland (2%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 2 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 2 | |
| Forest | 1 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 95 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Dusia, Metelys and Obelija lakes are covered by the national IBA monitoring network.