Beskydy mountains (2938)
Czechia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Beskydy
Central coordinates: Latitude: 49.4333, Longitude: 18.3667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 350 to 1324
Area of KBA (km2): 1214.74122
Protected area coverage (%): 98.29
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Situated along the Slovakian border in the Western Carpathians, the IBA includes three mountain ranges: the Moravskoslezské Beskydy mountains (400-1,324 m), the Vsetínské vrchy hills (350-1,024 m) and part of the Javorníky mountains (350-1,071 m). Uniform secondary Picea stands dominate, although remnants of both Carpathian Abies/Fagus primeval forest and mountain Picea forest have been preserved. Farmland covers c.25% of the area, and includes abandoned meadows and pastures.
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 IBA is important for forest birds, and includes the only native population of Strix uralensis in the country. An increase in the numbers of Crex crex in meadows and grassland has been recorded in recent years.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (22%) | forestry (71%) | hunting | nature conservation and research (4%) | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport (6%) | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 16 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Forest | 71 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 12 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include afforestation, intensive forestry practices, grazing pressure, industrial emissions, recreational activities, and the loss of meadow and pasture communities following land abandonment.