Key Biodiversity Areas

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South-eastern Alb and Upper Danube valley (3548)
Germany, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Südwestalb und Oberes Donautal
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.1667, Longitude: 9.0000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 570 to 1000
Area of KBA (km2): 1047.72089
Protected area coverage (%): 59.35
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: The heterogeneous landscape of the Swabian Alb is composed mainly of extensive, rough Juniperus grassland and large, coherent blocks of mature forest situated on the Alb plateau. The slopes of the Alb are characterized by forest, steppe-heath, cliffs and slag-heaps. The valleys hold riverine forest, stream habitats and tall herb communities.
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.
Additional biodiversity: This is an important site for breeding raptors, Lullula arborea and Lanius excubitor. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (2-7 breeding pairs).

Habitats


Land use: agriculture | forestry | tourism/recreation
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland25
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)25
Forest25
Wetlands(Inland)25