Drini Delta (2905)
Albania, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Delta e Drinit
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.7833, Longitude: 19.6167
System: freshwater, marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 22.83425
Protected area coverage (%): 98.90
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Drini delta is a complex of relatively intact coastal lakes, marshes and forests. The site is divided in two parts: Kune is the northern part of the Drini river and Ceka the southern part. The north and north-east borders of this site are formed by the Barbalush mountains, the south by the Drini river. The main habitats are brackish lagoons, sandbars and beaches, marshes, reedbeds and scattered woodland areas and pine plantations. The surrounding area is cultivated and has a large system of dykes, dams, ditches and channels.
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. KBA identified by the 2010 CEPF Mediterranean Ecosystem Profile process. Taxonomy and nomenclature follow the 2008 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: The area is important for several waterbirds; winter waterbird censuses recorded 17,000 individuals in January 1995, and 9,000 individuals in January 1996.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | fisheries/aquaculture (45%) | forestry (15%) | hunting (70%) | nature conservation and research (20%) | tourism/recreation (5%) | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 22 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Marine Neritic | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 22 | |
| Forest | 15 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 22 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Harvesting of wood has destroyed a large part of the broadleaved forest and older pine plantations. Birds in parts of the area are disturbed by tourists. There has been an EU-funded project to start management planning, including a workshop.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (domestic use) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the future |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future |