Plaine du Forez (2403)
France, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Plaine du Forez
Central coordinates: Latitude: 45.7333, Longitude: 4.1667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 350 to 700
Area of KBA (km2): 808.43471
Protected area coverage (%): 47.82
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of ponds, marshes, hedges and cultivated land, grassland and arable land.
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 of importance for several species of heron and raptors. The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds in winter, on a regular basis. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (passage).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry | hunting | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 20 | |
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is threatened by a plan to build a motorway through the area, agricultural development, and mineral exploitation. Hunting, shooting and fishing cause considerable disturbance.