Valley of Minija River (239)
Lithuania, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Minija (Minijos upes slenis)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 55.6833, Longitude: 21.3833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 10 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 22.39317
Protected area coverage (%): 99.96
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area comprises the Minija and Babrungas valleys, and includes deciduous forests and meadows. The riverbanks are high.
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: Important numbers of Alcedo atthis breed. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (a few pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (55%) | forestry (7%) | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland (26%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 11 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 55 | |
| Grassland | 26 | |
| Forest | 7 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The Ichthyological Reserve protects only the river itself and a narrow zone along the banks, which is enough for Alcedo atthis, but does not provide real protection to the wider river valley.