Key Biodiversity Areas

Blahniţa (481)
Romania, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Blahniţa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 44.4328, Longitude: 22.6283
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 30 to 312
Area of KBA (km2): 452.72124
Protected area coverage (%): 94.16
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: A natural wetland which has partially been converted into over 20 fish-ponds. Aquatic vegetation, including reedbeds (Phragmites), is abundant and covers approximately 60% of the site. Surrounding the ponds are sand-hills, uncultivated areas, a Robinia plantation and grassland.
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 breeding wetland species. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Phalacrocorax pygmeus (passage).

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (5%) | fisheries/aquaculture (70%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)90
Shrubland5
Grassland5

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat to birds is posed by reedbed burning. In recent years the reed has begun to encroach on areas of open water and muddy shore, reducing the overall area of these habitats. A management plan exists for the site.