Balta Mică a Brăilei (466)
Romania, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Balta Mică a Brăilei
Central coordinates: Latitude: 44.9410, Longitude: 27.9058
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 4 to 11
Area of KBA (km2): 249.36364
Protected area coverage (%): 98.73
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A wetland complex of many lakes linked by canals and marshes, situated in the Danube valley. There are open grassy areas with lines of Salix trees and also areas of riverine forest. The water-level varies according to the Danube's level and spring floods are common. The island also has agricultural crops, meadows and pasture. There are only a few small human settlements.
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: This is an important area for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds and breeding wetland passerines. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Branta ruficollis (wintering).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | fisheries/aquaculture (50%) | hunting (10%) | nature conservation and research (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Forest | 30 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 60 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are from deforestation, overgrazing and hunting. A local NGO undertakes conservation work.