Lewitz (3382)
Germany, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Lewitz
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.4667, Longitude: 11.6333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 157.74954
Protected area coverage (%): 95.48
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Part of a large (c.10,000 ha) lowland marsh on the River Elde, including several fish-pond complexes and extensive meadow- land. The ponds are generally 20-100 ha in extent and 1 m in depth. The shores are mainly unvegetated, although there are some areas of reedbed (Phragmites) and vegetated islands. The wet meadows hold Carex and Phalaris and are dissected by a network of ditches.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (breeding).
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 | |
| Grassland | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Intensification of fish-farming has resulted in a reduction in the area of reedbed.