Belene Islands Complex (411)
Bulgaria, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Complex Belenski Ostrovi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.6725, Longitude: 25.1878
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 21 to 69
Area of KBA (km2): 68.96804
Protected area coverage (%): 99.98
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The eastern part of the largest Bulgarian island (Belene) along the River Danube. Three large marshes, with open-water areas partly covered by floating water-plants and fringed by reedbeds of Phragmites, Sparganium and Alisma, and which are surrounded by seasonally flooded forest (Salix, Populus) and wet meadows (Cynodon, Scirpus). There are two smaller islands (one called Kitka), also covered with flooded forest. The complex lies between kilometres 576 and 560 of the Danube. Human activities include cattle-grazing in the buffer zone of the Persinski marshes reserve, agriculture in surrounding areas and hunting (including international hunting tourism).
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: Formerly one of the most important breeding sites in the country for Phalacrocorax pygmeus (max. 40 pairs) and Plegadis falcinellus (max. 60 pairs), which stopped breeding on the island about 10 years ago. They would probably breed again if water-levels were restored, but such site-management depends on finding the necessary funding. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaetus albicilla (1 pair). Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Platalea leucorodia (rare).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (30%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | forestry (55%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 60 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Grassland | 35 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main problems are the lowered water-levels in the Danube and the subsequent drying-out of wetlands, resulting from the `Iron Gate' Dam in Serbia and from dykes built along the banks of Belene. Special measures are needed to restore water-levels. Illegal tree-cutting, grazing and hunting are also problems, as is the potential construction of a nuclear power-station near Belene.