Gebieden gelegen te Houthalen-Helchteren en Meeuwen-Gruitrode (714)
Belgium, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Gebieden gelegen te Houthalen-Helchteren en Meeuwen-Gruitrode
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.0500, Longitude: 5.4333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 77 to 82
Area of KBA (km2): 28.51235
Protected area coverage (%): 97.75
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An extensive area of dry and wet heathland on the Kempen plateau, encompassing ponds, marshes, inland dunes, and conifer plantations.
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 site for woodland and heathland species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | military (80%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 24 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 67 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: One of the most significant threats to the extensive heathland and inland dunes is the future use of the military area (`Other' threat), as an increasing number of military areas are being sold and developed. 2,802 ha of IBA covered by proposed Site of Community Importance (Heide- en vengebieden tussen Houthalen en Gruitrode, 3,882 ha).