Reka valley (689)
Slovenia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Dolina Reke
Central coordinates: Latitude: 45.5500, Longitude: 14.2500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 400 to 490
Area of KBA (km2): 22.51573
Protected area coverage (%): 64.74
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Reka river basin lies between karstic limestone (Snežnik plateau) and fluvial terrain. The river has created a flat plain around the biggest town in the region, Ilirska Bistrica, and industry and dense infrastructure are developing here, although wet grasslands, meadows and small marshes remain. There is extensive farming and orchard cultivation. Land subsidence is occurring where there are abandoned coal mines.
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. Nationally rare and threatened bird species occur in the site in small numbers. Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Jynx torquilla (10-20 pairs), Picus canus (5-10 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (70%) | urban/industrial/transport (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The most difficult problem is the heavy pollution of the Reka river. However, the water condition is improving since some clean-up measures were taken. Some reedbeds and marshes were destroyed in the past, but restoration is possible. Intensive ornithological and entomological research is planned.