Valley of the Ernze Blanche (3583)
Luxembourg, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Vallée de l'Ernze Blanche de Bourglinster à Fischbach
Central coordinates: Latitude: 49.7500, Longitude: 6.2167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 290 to 360
Area of KBA (km2): 2.19436
Protected area coverage (%): 88.52
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A farm and grassland area, adjacent to the Weisse Ernz stream.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The third most important site for Crex crex in Luxembourg. Breeding birds include Alcedo atthis and Lanius collurio. Milvus milvus breeds in the nearby forests. The wet grasslands also provide important roosting habitat for Philomachus pugnax and Pluvialis apricaria.
Delineation rationale: Delineation correponds to the SPA 'Vallée de l'Ernze Blanche de Bourglinster à Fischbach' (Gilles Biver, LNVL) -
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (6%) | hunting | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland (66%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 71 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 3 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 6 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 15 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: LNVL is proposing this site as a Special Protection Area to the Ministry of Environment.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |