Sara mountain (3126)
Serbia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Šar-Planina
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.1667, Longitude: 20.9500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 450 to 2651
Area of KBA (km2): 1055.96656
Protected area coverage (%): 87.26
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area represents and impressive mountain massif, stretching 90 km in length along the borders of Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania. 30 mountain peaks above 2.500 m in altitude dominate the landscape, of which some of the most prominent ones are Ljuboten, Piri Breg, Crni vrh, Kobilica, Vraca, Rudoka. There are 70 glacial lakes within this area, as well as numerous gorges and canyons. Vegetation is very diverse, from sub-Mediterranean floral elements in Drim river valley to alpine pastures above 2.000 m in altitude. It is situated within the municipalities of Prizren, Gora and Štrpce.
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 80000 ha to 105508 ha; coordinates changed from 42.167N 20.95E to 42°9'25'N 20°48'38'E.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (40%) | forestry (40%) | hunting (70%) | nature conservation and research (60%) | not utilised (20%) | tourism/recreation (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 36 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Grassland | 36 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |