Key Biodiversity Areas

Obra river flood-plain (927)
Poland, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Wielki Leg Obrzanski
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.0833, Longitude: 16.3667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 61 to 77
Area of KBA (km2): 234.45267
Protected area coverage (%): 38.77
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: The widest part of the valley of the middle Obra river is characterized by forests and meadows, without larger settlements or a developed road system. The valley is divided up by channels and ditches which drain to the west (two main channels) or to the east to the Warta river via the Mosiñski channel. The principal valley habitats are wet fields, marshes, and swamp forests of Alnus. Fields are intensively cultivated; wet grassland and scrub are not common. Forest of pine Pinus and oak Quercus covers the higher elevations.
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: Other notable breeding species include Grus grus (20 pairs) and Milvus migrans (six pairs). Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (5-6 pairs).

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (60%) | forestry (30%) | hunting | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Artificial - Terrestrial24
Forest21
Wetlands(Inland)1
Grassland54

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are further drainage and intensification of forest management. The site is adjacent to the Przemêcki Landscape Park (21,400 ha).
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
Biological resource useHunting & collecting terrestrial animalsPersecution/controlOngoing
Biological resource useLogging & wood harvestingUnintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]Ongoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesInvasive non-native/alien species/diseasesUnspecified speciesOngoing
Natural system modificationsOther ecosystem modificationsOnly in the past and unlikely to return
Energy production & miningOil & gas drillingOngoing
Energy production & miningMining & quarryingOngoing
Transportation & service corridorsRoads & railroadsOnly in the past and unlikely to return
Climate change & severe weatherDroughtsOngoing
Climate change & severe weatherTemperature extremesOngoing