Põhja-Liivimaa (260)
Estonia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2003
National site name: Põhja-Liivimaa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 58.0000, Longitude: 24.6833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 235.7912
Protected area coverage (%): 82.05
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A complex of raised bogs, numerous pools, and broadleaved deciduous and mixed forests in south-west Estonia. The main land-uses are forestry, non-intensive agriculture, nature conservation and research, and tourism.
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: An important staging area for migratory geese Anser (totalling 30,000-40,000 at peak counts) and Grus grus, and an important breeding area for several species of mire and forest. Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Grus grus (10 pairs), Picus canus (5-10 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | forestry (45%) | hunting | nature conservation and research (81%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 12 | |
| Grassland | 3 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 17 | |
| Shrubland | 14 | |
| Forest | 54 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Major threats are posed by intensification of forestry, drainage, unsustainable hunting, and tourism. Regeneration of deciduous forest is limited due to overbrowsing by introduced red deer Cervus elaphus. Research involves monitoring of birds (since 1968) and mire plants.