Aland-Elbe lowlands (3403)
Germany, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Aland-Elbe-Niederung
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.9833, Longitude: 11.7000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 15 to 20
Area of KBA (km2): 42.37666
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The flood-plain of the Rivers Aland and Elbe with grassland, standing water and alluvial forest.
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: The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds on passage, on a regular basis. It is also a migratory bottleneck, where up to 5,000 Grus grus regularly pass. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca and Crex crex (2-6 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry | nature conservation and research | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Grassland | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Designation of the area as a Ramsar Site is planned. There are management plans for the extensification of land-use and water management.