Ljubljansko moor (684)
Slovenia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Ljubljansko barje
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.0333, Longitude: 14.4333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 286 to 390
Area of KBA (km2): 126.77355
Protected area coverage (%): 92.12
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Ljubljansko barje is a large 150 km2 depression, traversed by the Ljubljanica river. Once a vast mire, today it is mainly cultivated (maize). The area is a traditional cultural landscape with extensive wet grasslands, flood-plain woodlands, thickets and small, wooded hills. Groundwater-levels are high, some areas are flooded regularly, and there are dense networks of ditches, channels and brooks. Settlements are generally concentrated along the driest edges of the site, with the Slovenian capital Ljubljana lying on the northern border.
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: The site is the most important breeding place in Slovenia for the globally threatened Crex crex and is one of the most important sites for seven other SPECs. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (max. 8 pairs, the last Slovenian colony and nearing national extinction). During migration, large flocks of waterbirds and raptors rest in the area. Out of 210 recorded bird species, 107 have bred (including 53 species on the national Red Data List, 40% of the total). This high species-richness and abundance is due to the great variety of vegetation-types which result from the extensive management of the landscape.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (70%) | forestry (10%) | nature conservation and research (5%) | tourism/recreation (5%) | urban/industrial/transport (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 | |
| Forest | 10 | |
| Shrubland | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 40 | |
| Grassland | 30 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Agricultural improvement and conversion of crops to maize monoculture has caused a number of negative effects. There is a no management plan for the site. Recent research at the site has included a breeding bird atlas project (almost completed) initiated by DOPPS, census counts and mapping of birds, and a detailed analysis of bird communities.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |