Key Biodiversity Areas

Slupia River Valley (919)
Poland, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Dolina Slupi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 54.3000, Longitude: 17.3167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 20 to 160
Area of KBA (km2): 374.28356
Protected area coverage (%): 96.87
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: The site comprises a Landscape Park which protects both the basin of the middle S³upia river (including tributaries: Bytowa, Jutrzenka, Kamienica, Skotawa) as well as many lakes (the largest being Jasieñ, G³êbokie, and Skotowskie). The lakes have low levels of nutrients. There are many ravines. Forest is 40-100 years old, mainly pine Pinus, beech Fagus and hornbeam Carpinus on dry ground, with some mixed Pinus and oak Quercus. In the swamps there is bog forest of alder Alnus, and in the stream valleys there is alder Alnus scrub.
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 total of 138 species have been recorded breeding, including Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair; species is of global conservation concern but does not meet IBA criteria) and Grus grus (34-45 pairs).

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (21%) | forestry (72%) | hunting | water management (6%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland8
Artificial - Terrestrial14
Forest72
Wetlands(Inland)6

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is accidental disturbance to birds by tourism. A project has been underway since 1986 to encourage the breeding of Mergus merganser and Bucephala clangula on islands in Jasien lake (over 100 nest-boxes).
Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Agriculture & aquacultureAnnual & perennial non-timber cropsSmall-holder farmingOngoing
Natural system modificationsDams & water management/useDams (size unknown)Ongoing
Biological resource useHunting & collecting terrestrial animalsIntentional use (species being assessed is the target)Ongoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesInvasive non-native/alien species/diseasesUnspecified speciesOngoing
PollutionDomestic & urban waste waterType Unknown/UnrecordedOngoing
Natural system modificationsOther ecosystem modificationsOnly in the future
Residential & commercial developmentHousing & urban areasOngoing
Residential & commercial developmentTourism & recreation areasOngoing
Energy production & miningRenewable energyOngoing
Transportation & service corridorsUtility & service linesOngoing
Transportation & service corridorsRoads & railroadsOngoing
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOngoing