Key Biodiversity Areas

Pester (27496)
Serbia, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Pešter
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.1650, Longitude: 20.0983
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 755 to 1737
Area of KBA (km2): 439.78739
Protected area coverage (%): 9.39
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: The area is the most distinctive karst plateau in the Balkan Peninsula, known for its very harsh winters with temperatures reaching -39 ̊C. Pester plateau is situated on altitude of 1.000-1.200 m, while surrounding peaks reach up to 1.600 m in altitude. The IBA is located within the municipality of Sjenica, bordering Montenegro to the south. This entire area is traditionally known for livestock breeding, extending over more than 60.000 hectares of almost exclusively mountainous pastures, but also with unique peat bogs and wet meadows, karst pits and sinkholes, gorges and canyons.
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.

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Other1
Grassland44
Forest11
Artificial - Terrestrial29
Shrubland15

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Agriculture & aquacultureLivestock farming & ranchingSmall-holder grazing, ranching or farmingOngoing
Biological resource useHunting & collecting terrestrial animalsIntentional use (species being assessed is the target)Ongoing
Natural system modificationsOther ecosystem modificationsOngoing
Energy production & miningRenewable energyOngoing
Transportation & service corridorsRoads & railroadsOngoing