Kvarner Islands (24013)
Croatia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Kvarnerski otoci
Central coordinates: Latitude: 44.9120, Longitude: 14.5270
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 645
Area of KBA (km2): 1141.02033
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area comprises large North Adriatic islands (Cres, Krk and Rab) and surrounding smaller islands. Numerous cliffs are the last nesting area of Griffon Vultures in Croatia and important nesting area for other birds (birds of prey, Shags). Important habitat for vultures and raptors are extensive open and mixed landscapes (dry grasslands). The area includes several types of Mediterranean forests and scrubs. It is an important area for wintering Sandwich Tern. Main threats are changes in traditional farming, excessive or illegal hunting, unregulated recreational activities and tourism, unregulated construction on the coast and overfishing.
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. The site has not met global KBA criteria during the 2010 CEPF Mediterranean Ecosystem Profile process, but has been identified as a regional KBA on account of its bird species.
Delineation rationale: 2016-06-20 (BL Secretariat): The three year-2000 IBAs Posebni ornitoloski rezervat na otoku Krku / Special Ornithological Reserve on Krk island (SitRecID 3600), Otok Prvic / Prvic island (SitRecID 3602) and Posebni ornitoloski rezervati na otoku Cresu / Special Ornithological Reserves on Cres island (SitRecID 3601) have been merged in 2005 (and the resulting area extended) to form the IBA (proposed SPA) Kvarnerski otoci / Kvarner Islands (SitRecID 24013). Area changed from 256276 ha to 118641 ha, as part of 2010 revision of IBAs/proposed SPAs.
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |