Bicaz gorge and Hăşmaş Mountains (450)
Romania, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Cheile Bicazului - Munţii Hăşmaş
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.7455, Longitude: 25.8143
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 714 to 1783
Area of KBA (km2): 69.35741
Protected area coverage (%): 98.24
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The 8 km long Bicaz gorge lies in the eastern Carpathians. The dominant vegetation is Abies forest with traditionally grazed alpine grassland also present. Lake Ro°u is naturally dammed by landslide debris and occupies 12.6 ha. The area is crossed by a major highway; human activities include rock-climbing.
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 species of upland conifer forests and open alpine habitats. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (breeding).
Habitats
Land use: forestry (79%) | nature conservation and research (10%) | tourism/recreation (19%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 7 | |
| Forest | 83 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat is from the development of tourism and its associated infrastructure. Stone extraction is a threat in peripheral areas. A management plan exists for the site.