Lower Odra river valley (915)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Dolina Dolnej Odry
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.1167, Longitude: 14.3500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 617.90352
Protected area coverage (%): 99.34
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The valley of the Odra river between Kostrzyn town, Szczeciñski lagoon (c.150 km long) and D¹bie lake. At its widest part the Odra has two main channels˜the Eastern Odra and the Regalica. The area between the main channels is a marshy plain with oxbow lakes and many smaller channels, and is covered by fens, seasonally flooded meadows, swamps and riparian forest. D¹bie lake is a large, shallow delta-lake (5,600 ha, up to 4 m deep). Human activities include boat traffic, cattle-grazing and haymaking, angling, and hunting.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: One of the most important places in Poland for roosting geese Anser and Grus grus on autumn passage, with up to 40,000-45,000 Anser fabalis and A. albifrons in the area.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (30%) | hunting (55%) | tourism/recreation (10%) | urban/industrial/transport (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 31 | |
| Grassland | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 24 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 19 | |
| Other | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Heavy water-pollution is a threat, originating from agriculture, industry (chemical, harbour operations, ships and energy) and domestic sewage (from local and upstream sources). Disturbance of birds also occurs.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Shipping lanes | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Shipping lanes | Only in the future | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |