Rakutowskie swamps (925)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Blota Rakutowskie
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.5167, Longitude: 19.2333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 30 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 44.44122
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site covers Rakutowskie lake (c.300 ha) and the surrounding, periodically flooded sedge meadows, as well as adjoining wet riverine forest and carr. The eastern part of the site includes a wet area of the K³ótnia river with overgrown peat-workings. Rakutowskie lake is rather shallow (average 2.5 m) with a flat shore fringed by a broad belt (100-150 m) of marginal vegetation. Due to (relatively small) water-level fluctuations, the lake area can vary by up to 60-70 ha. Floating and submerged vegetation is rich and a large part of the lake bottom is covered by stonewort Chara.
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: More than 20,000 waterbirds use the area in winter, and notable numbers (peak daily counts exceeding 10,000 birds) stage during autumn migration, mainly Anser, Anas, Vanellus vanellus, Larus and waders Charadrii. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (one pair), Crex crex (1-2 calling males), Acrocephalus paludicola (one singing male).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (25%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | forestry (35%) | nature conservation and research (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 13 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 17 | |
| Forest | 22 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 46 | |
| Other | 2 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The sedge meadows are included in Jezioro Rakutowskie Nature Reserve, and part of the forest/carr is included in Olszyny Rakutowskie Nature Reserve.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Small-holder plantations | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Only in the future |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Unspecified species | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Air-borne pollutants | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the future |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Temperature extremes | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Ongoing |