Diarizos Valley (24492)
Cyprus, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: B2

Year of last assessment: 2012

National site name: Diarizos Valley

Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.7980, Longitude: 32.6890

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 50 to 770

Area of KBA (km²): 88.10841

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: This is a relatively remote and undeveloped site in one of the four ‘valley’ IBAs carved by rivers flowing from the Troodos massif to the southwest coast. The Diarizos riverside extends from near the river’s source in the Pafos forest to just before it spills into the Pafos plain, ranging in elevation from 800m to 50m. Diarizos Valley is an Endemic Bird Area site with good populations of Cyprus Wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca) and especially of Cyprus Warbler (Sylvia melanothorax). It is also a top breeding site for European Roller (Coracias garrulus) and Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus). Also of note are the local populations of Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus), Little Owl (Athene noctua) and Cretzschmar’s Bunting (Emberiza caesia). The valley also witnesses a passage of raptors in the autumn. Finally, mention should be made of this site being an important feeding area for the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) that also hosts breeding Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus).

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.

Habitats

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Terrestrial	40
Forest	5
Grassland	10
Shrubland	45

Threats

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Timing
Natural system modifications	Other ecosystem modifications	Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Housing & urban areas	Ongoing
Transportation & service corridors	Roads & railroads	Only in the future

Additional information