Basses Vallées Angevines (2387)
France, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Basses Vallées Angevines
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.5667, Longitude: -0.4667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 16 to 16
Area of KBA (km2): 64.77081
Protected area coverage (%): 91.24
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site encompasses rivers, streams, wet meadows and Populus plantations.
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: This is the best site in France for breeding Crex crex. The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds on passage, on a regular basis.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (95%) | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry (5%) | hunting
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Grassland | 86 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is threatened by agricultural improvements and commercial Populus plantations. Nevertheless, strong conservation measures are applied to this area, including agri-environmental schemes, prohibition of Populus plantations and land purchase under LIFE contracts and as a result of public fundraising. 6,450 ha of IBA is planned to be designated as a Special Protection Area (Basses Vallées Angevines) in 1999. More than 300 ha of the site have been purchased by the LPO, to be managed for the conservation of meadows and Crex crex.