Swidwie Site (914)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Ostoja Swidwie
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.5667, Longitude: 14.3833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 20 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 71.5944
Protected area coverage (%): 99.88
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A nutrient-rich lake surrounded by extensive fens. A large part is occupied by reedbeds (Phragmites) and part by meadows and alder Alnus forest. Haymaking, grazing and hunting take place around the lake.
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: Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (1 pair feeds in the area, nesting nearby), Crex crex (1-3 pairs).
Delineation rationale: 2004: site has been enlarged from 900 ha to 7185 ha.
Habitats
Land use: hunting | nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 21 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Grassland | 15 | |
| Forest | 48 | |
| Other | 1 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Recent information (March 1998) indicates that all known threats to Swidwie lake have been removed. Previously these had been (1) drainage in the surrounding area in 1976 (40% of water supply lost), (2) agricultural effluent, which had been causing strong nutrient pollution of the lake, and (3) hunting in the surrounding area, which had been disturbing birds within the site. An EU-funded project being implemented in the area involves replacing the water lost in 1976. The new water supply will be stored at Zurawie reservoir, south of the lake, and cleaned there. According to the Nature Conservancy Officer hunting has also been stopped in the surrounding area.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Small-holder plantations | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | 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 |
| Pollution | Air-borne pollutants | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |