Otmuchów reservoir (935)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Zbiornik Otmuchowski
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.4667, Longitude: 17.1167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 210 to 210
Area of KBA (km2): 20.94794
Protected area coverage (%): 99.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large storage reservoir on the Nysa K³odzka river, situated amongst hills in an agricultural landscape, not far from Nysa reservoir. Broadleaved forest adjoins the embanked eastern side. The western and southern shores have a more natural character, being covered with a wide belt of willow Salix bushes. The northern part is used for recreation. The reservoir controls water flow for navigation on the Odra river, and there are considerable fluctuations in water-level. Although some parts of the shore are shingle, the bottom of the reservoir is generally muddy and sandy.
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 migrating and wintering waterbirds occur regularly, mainly geese Anser, ducks Anas, and Vanellus vanellus and other waders.
Habitats
Land use: hunting | tourism/recreation (20%) | water management (80%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 95 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Rapid filling of the reservoir (during river floods) reduces or eliminates suitable foraging/resting habitat for staging waders on migration.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |