Ilawa Forest (924)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Lasy Ilawskie
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.7167, Longitude: 19.5500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 91 to 126
Area of KBA (km2): 252.53109
Protected area coverage (%): 99.60
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: I³awa Forest Landscape Park is an extensive complex of forests interspersed among 31 lakes (0.5-163 ha), the latter varying widely in nutrient level from rich to poor. Jeziorak, the longest lake in Poland, contains many islands. The site falls mainly within the Drwêca catchment, but part is also drained by the Liwa, Osa and Dzie¿goñ rivers. Forest is dominated by pine Pinus, beech Fagus and alder carr Alnus. Lake shores are covered by reedbeds Phragmites and bogs.
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.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (13%) | fisheries/aquaculture (20%) | forestry (62%) | hunting | not utilised (1%) | tourism/recreation (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 11 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Grassland | 2 | |
| Forest | 67 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Birds are disturbed by fishery activities and also accidentally by forestry and tourism. Rare raptors are kept under surveillance each year by the Eagle Protection Committee.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing |