Odra riverine forests (933)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Legi Odrzanskie
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.4167, Longitude: 16.4500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 72 to 131
Area of KBA (km2): 180.10627
Protected area coverage (%): 99.44
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site covers a 105-km-long stretch of the Odra valley from G³oska village (near Brzeg Dolny town) to G³ogów town, as well as a 7 km long stretch from the mouth of the Barycz river to the Odra river. The valley is up to 4 km wide, and is bordered by flood embankments. There are broadleaved forests (totalling 5,000 ha) and oxbow lakes. Old-growth forest is common, with trees often over 100 years in age. The oxbow lakes are at different stages of silting up.
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: Over 200 species have been recorded, c.150 as breeding species, with more than 60 breeding in riverine forest. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (eight pairs). Other notable breeders are Pernis apivorus (12-14 pairs) and Grus grus (30 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | forestry (35%) | hunting | water management (6%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 6 | |
| Forest | 30 | |
| Grassland | 39 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 15 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Forests are at risk of clear-cutting to improve flood control. Many of the old-growth trees are Nature Monuments. Three Landscape Parks and eight Nature Reserves are planned.