Demervallei (711)
Belgium, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Demervallei
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.0167, Longitude: 5.1833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 15 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 64.56828
Protected area coverage (%): 94.41
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area is situated in the Demer river valley, west and east of the town of Diest. It comprises a rich variety of former river arms, peat ponds, marshes, reedbeds, sedge-fields, humid grasslands and alluvial forests, including heathland relicts on the sandy hills bordering the valley.
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: A breeding and staging area for meadow birds, waders and waterfowl.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (40%) | forestry (30%) | nature conservation and research (20%) | tourism/recreation (5%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 19 | |
| Forest | 10 | |
| Grassland | 14 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 57 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area is included in the `Ecologisch Impulsgebied', an integrated conservation and development project. 1,216 ha of IBA covered by proposed Site of Community Importance (Demervallei ten oosten van Aarschot, 1,432 ha).