Key Biodiversity Areas

Straldzha Complex (433)
Bulgaria, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Complex Straldzha
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.6230, Longitude: 26.7917
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 143 to 226
Area of KBA (km2): 28.71744
Protected area coverage (%): 99.81
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: A reservoir which replaced the former Straldza marsh, surrounded by meadows and arable land. It does not freeze in winter. Typha is predominant along the banks. Wet meadows are dominated by Carex, Poa and Lolium. There are lines of Populus and Robinia trees. Land-uses include hunting, fish-farming and haymaking.
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: Important for waterbirds in winter, especially Anser albifrons, the globally threatened Branta ruficollis, and Phalacrocorax carbo.

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (8%) | fisheries/aquaculture (90%) | hunting
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland10
Wetlands(Inland)86
Artificial - Terrestrial5

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Illegal and uncontrolled hunting of waterbirds poses a serious threat.