Mount Beigua (2715)
Italy, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Monte Beigua
Central coordinates: Latitude: 44.4167, Longitude: 8.6667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 1287
Area of KBA (km2): 112.85042
Protected area coverage (%): 91.37
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A mountainous area in the northern Apennines, 10 km north-east of the town of Savona. The main habitats are broadleaved and coniferous forests, cultivated and ruderal lands, streams and, in the highest areas, alpine grasslands and rocky cliffs. The main land-uses are nature conservation, forest management, sheep-rearing, and tourism.
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: An important `bottleneck' site for birds migrating along the French coast towards the Padana plain in spring, especially for raptors (more than 3,000 per season, especially Pernis apivorus, Circaetus gallicus and Circus aeruginosus), pigeons/doves, swifts and passerines (swallows, etc.).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (17%) | forestry (10%) | nature conservation and research (70%) | tourism/recreation (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 46 | |
| Shrubland | 14 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 3 | |
| Other | 37 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat to the area is from fires caused by man, e.g. by shepherds to create `fresh' grazing. Attempts are being made to prevent and stop woodland fires. Some or all of the site is covered by a management plan. A LIFE project has been funded for the period 1999-2000. There are ornithological studies on migratory species, especially raptors.