Pálava (40)
Czechia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2002
National site name: Pálava
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.8167, Longitude: 16.6667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 164 to 548
Area of KBA (km2): 85.42731
Protected area coverage (%): 98.07
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of limestone outcrops (the Pavlovské hills) that dominate an otherwise undulating lowland landscape. Habitat types present include calcareous rocky slopes, steppe-grassland, dry Quercus and Quercus/Carpinus forest, Quercus, Fraxinus, Populus and Ulmus flood-plain forest, flooded meadows and two ponds that support reedbeds (Phragmites). The region is a popular destination for tourists, and there are many old quarries.
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: The IBA is important for species of forest and scrub grassland, certain of which (Buteo buteo, Accipiter gentilis and Pernis apivorus) occur at very high densities. It also supports the largest population of Upupa epops in the country.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (55%) | fisheries/aquaculture (2%) | forestry (30%) | hunting (25%) | nature conservation and research (40%) | not utilised (1%) | tourism/recreation (10%) | urban/industrial/transport (4%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 2 | |
| Shrubland | 1 | |
| Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 57 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Overstocking of game preserves has caused immense damage to forest vegetation and soil cover, although a decrease in numbers of game animals has recently been achieved.