Key Biodiversity Areas

Dolomites (2893)
Italy, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Dolomiti
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.6667, Longitude: 12.0833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1268 to 3225
Area of KBA (km2): 488.21534
Protected area coverage (%): 98.69
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Various groups of mountains in the Alps, with extensive scree and boulders, cliffs, alpine grasslands, scrub and coniferous woodlands.
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 breeding site for at least four of the 10 species of the Eurasian high-montane biome, and for grouse and woodpeckers.

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (15%) | forestry (25%) | hunting (77%) | nature conservation and research (100%) | tourism/recreation (25%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland9
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)30
Forest38
Shrubland23

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from tourism and hunting of grouse. The latter practice is unsustainable, especially for Lagopus mutus helveticus.