Delta of the Swina river (911)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Delta Swiny
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.8333, Longitude: 14.3333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 87.59154
Protected area coverage (%): 99.61
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A delta (growing in the direction of Szczeciñski lagoon) which contains natural and artificial channels of the Œwina river, with numerous islands. The site also covers the south-west coast of Wolin island and the south-east part of Uznam island adjoining the Piastowski channel. The plant community is very rich. Most of the forest is old-growth (130-150 years), dominated by alder Alnus, mixed birch/oak Betula/Quercus and beech/oak Fagus/Quercus. Open areas are dominated by saltmarsh, rush Scirpus and reedbeds Phragmites. The latter completely cover some islets and almost all shores of the other islands. A very small area is used as arable land.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: A very attractive area for breeding, migrating and wintering birds with very rich food sources available. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (two pairs). A total of 140 bird species have been recorded breeding.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (30%) | fisheries/aquaculture (30%) | forestry (5%) | nature conservation and research (5%) | not utilised (10%) | tourism/recreation (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 8 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 17 | |
| Grassland | 15 | |
| Forest | 27 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include the expansion of reedbeds onto saltmarsh following reductions in grazing, and unsuitable forestry practices (clear-cutting). Birds are disturbed by fishermen, tourism and forestry. Eggs of Larus argentatus are sometimes stolen from the colonies (probably by fox farmers), causing disturbance to birds. A part of the IBA (Karsiborska Kêpa, 180 ha) is managed by OTOP (the concept of `private reserve' does not exist in current Polish law). OTOP projects here are: (1) Distribution, numbers and habitat selection of Acrocephalus paludicola (as part of a wider BirdLife International project); (2) action plan for plant community; (3) permanent study of bird numbers and distribution. Projects by the West Pomeranian Ornithological Society include inventory of breeding and migrating birds (June-August 1995).
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |