Sicevo gorge (3132)
Serbia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Sićevačka klisura
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.3233, Longitude: 22.2242
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 230 to 1334
Area of KBA (km2): 250.54867
Protected area coverage (%): 23.79
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Situated in eastern Serbia between Nis and Bela Palanka, this limestone gorge contains the Nisava river and supports sub-Mediterranean vegetation. Vegetation is dominated by hornbeam Carpinus, Syringa, ash Fraxinus and oak Quercus. A heavily used road passes through the valley.
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 9800 ha to 25050 ha; coordinates changed from 43.3N 22.167E to 43°20'23'N 22°13'19'E.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (15%) | forestry (5%) | not utilised (50%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%) | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) | 8 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 8 | |
| Grassland | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 8 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include the development of traffic infrastructure and quarrying. A management plan exists for part of the site.