Kopaonik (3092)
Serbia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Kopaonik
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.1963, Longitude: 20.8853
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 650 to 2016
Area of KBA (km2): 738.63539
Protected area coverage (%): 36.40
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Kopaonik represents the longest and the highest mountain massif of Central Serbia stretched 85 km in NW-SE direction. The highest point is Pančić's peak with 2017 m asl. This mountain belongs to internal Dinarides and lies on border of Ilirian and Moesian provinces. Kopaonik consists of two interconnected units: central Kopaonik with Pančić's peak, Karaman peak (1934 m), Gobelja (1934 m), Kukavica (1726 m) and Kopaonik on Kosovo and Metohija Province with bare peaks Oštro Koplje (1790 m) and Šatorica (1750 m). Pedology is mostly silicate with some limestone masiffs (Metođe). Vegetation is divided into seven vegetation belts with more than 118 plant communities. Administrative the area of IBA covered by seven municipalities (Raška, Brus, Kuršumlija, Leposavić, Kosovska Mitrovica, Vučitrn i Podujevo).
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.
Delineation rationale: 2014-10-14 (BL Secretariat): following Puzović (2009), site area changed from 45000 ha to 73850 ha; coordinates changed from 43.25N 20.833E to 43°11'50'N 20°53'45'E.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (5%) | forestry (70%) | hunting (40%) | nature conservation and research (30%) | not utilised | tourism/recreation (40%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Grassland | 29 | |
| Forest | 48 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (commercial use) | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |