Krkonose mountains (Giant mountains) (2936)
Czechia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Krkonose
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.7000, Longitude: 15.6333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 380 to 1602
Area of KBA (km2): 546.64118
Protected area coverage (%): 98.88
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A mountainous region located along the Czech-Polish border, covered mainly by Fagus and Picea/Fagus forests (500-900 m) and Picea forests (900-1,250 m). At higher elevations (1,250-1,450 m) there are Pinus mugo stands, glacial corries, peatbogs and subalpine meadows, with alpine habitats occurring above 1,450 m. Forestry is the most important economic activity. This area includes two areas that were treated as subsites in the previous international IBA inventory (Grimmett and Jones 1989): `Pancavska and Labska louka peatbogs' (former site CZ001-1) and Upska raselina peatbog' (former site CZ001-2).
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: The forest bird communities are the most important component of the avifauna. The IBA also supports populations of two species with limited distributions in the Czech Republic: Anthus spinoletta and Prunella collaris. A total of 153 breeding species were recorded during a 1991-1994 regional survey.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (18%) | forestry (70%) | hunting (80%) | nature conservation and research (15%) | tourism/recreation (85%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 69 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 19 | |
| Grassland | 7 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Air pollution is a serious threat to forest, and has had a negative effect on forest bird populations. The cumulative impact of 6-8 million visitors a year and the abandonment of agricultural land are additional problems. A management plan exists for the National Park and its transition zone (1994-2003), and a Biosphere Reservation.