Key Biodiversity Areas

Vlora Bay, Karaburun Peninsula and Cika mountain (2908)
Albania, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Vlora Bay, Karaburun, Mali i Cikes
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.2978, Longitude: 19.5205
Elevation (m): 0 to 2018
Area of KBA (km2): 657.34181
Protected area coverage (%): 37.48
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: This site includes Vlora Bay, Karaburun peninsula, Orikumi lagoon, Sazan island and Cika mountain. Vlora Bay includes the sea gulf of Vlora and part of the coastal area with rocky shores and cliffs, sandy beaches and a small lagoon (Orikumi). Karaburun peninsula and Sazan island are rocky areas with scattered Mediterranean scrub, and are military areas. Cika mountain (previously Llogara IBA AL010) is a mountain area with forests of Pinus austriaca and flora typical of calcareous soil.
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 in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mediterranean Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and global threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: This site is believed to be important for breeding raptors. Neophron percnopterus, Circaetus gallicus, Aquila chrysaetos and Hieraaetus fasciatus were observed in 1991 and 1996, but breeding numbers are unknown.

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (5%) | forestry (20%) | hunting (30%) | military (35%) | nature conservation and research (5%) | tourism/recreation (5%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)5
Forest16
Marine Coastal/Supratidal5
Artificial - Terrestrial4
Grassland4
Marine Intertidal5
Shrubland28
Marine Neritic32