Mesaoria Plain (31308)
Cyprus, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Mesaoria Plain
Central coordinates: Latitude: 35.1313, Longitude: 33.7625
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 5 to 60
Area of KBA (km2): 182.29144
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This new and extensive IBA site captures an important part of the central Mesaoria plain and is almost entirely dominated by cereal fields. Though more intensively managed and man-dominated than most other IBAs, it is the top breeding site on the island for three species typical of open, flat and dry landscapes: Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus), Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) and Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra). It is also a very important site for Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus) and has European Roller (Coracias garrulus) and Cyprus Wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca) among other non-qualifying breeders.
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.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 1 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 99 |
Additional information
References: Hellicar, M.A., Anastasi, V., Beton, D. & Snape, R. (2014). Important Bird Areas of Cyprus. BirdLife Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.