Upper Valley of the Alzette (2933)
Luxembourg, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Vallée supérieure de l'Alzette
Central coordinates: Latitude: 49.5333, Longitude: 6.0833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 262 to 300
Area of KBA (km2): 12.13449
Protected area coverage (%): 80.18
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lowland hay-meadows that are flooded in winter, along a small stream with natural eutrophic lakes. The site was included within a larger IBA (formerly LU002) in the previous international IBA inventory (Grimmett and Jones 1989).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: This is the most important site for Crex crex in Luxembourg. Milvus migrans, Alcedo atthis and Lanius collurio, listed on Annex I of the Bird Directive, also breed.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (5%) | forestry (2%) | hunting | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland (85%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Grassland | 85 | |
| Forest | 2 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 12 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: An LIFE programme to conserve Crex crex has been funded by the EU.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |