Planina polje (686)
Slovenia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Planinsko polje
Central coordinates: Latitude: 45.8500, Longitude: 14.2500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 440 to 453
Area of KBA (km2): 10.42705
Protected area coverage (%): 99.97
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Planinsko polje is part of the karst basin of the Ljubljanica river, and displays typical karst features such as caves (more than 100 in the vicinity) and sink-holes. Higher hills surround the IBA, from where water collects and sinks underground. Floods periodically cover about 16 km2 of the area. Besides the numerous small streams, the Unica river with its beautiful meanders is the main water-body at the site. Arable land and human settlements occur at the outermost, higher edges of the site. Land-use is mainly mowing of grass and hay; some farmers use fertilizer to increase grass production. This has been a classic area for karst research since the 17th century.
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: An important site for breeding Crex crex. Other wet meadow and grassland bird species breed at the site in nationally important numbers, including many SPECs. Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Alcedo atthis (2-5 pairs). The site is known to support notable numbers of birds on migration as well.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (90%) | nature conservation and research (5%) | tourism/recreation (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 67 | |
| Caves & Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 14 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat to birds is the drainage of wet depressions and protected meadows. During 1970-1979 the national Natural Protection Service organized field research concerning the proposal for Notranjski Krajinski Park (Protected Landscape). There is a management plan for the Landscape Park. Bird data is incomplete, and intensive ornithological and entomological research is planned.