Key Biodiversity Areas

Nysa reservoir (936)
Poland, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Zbiornik Nyski
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.4500, Longitude: 17.2500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 200
Area of KBA (km2): 20.97237
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: A large storage reservoir on the Nysa K³odzka river, in a hilly agricultural landscape, near Otmuchów reservoir. At the western end there are artificial islands created as a result of gravel exploitation. Southern and western shores are partly overgrown with willow Salix scrub with sparse water-fringe vegetation. Two river mouths (the Widna and the Bia³a G³uchowska) are important for birds. Land-uses include gravel exploitation.
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: Up to 60,000 ducks, geese, gulls and waders occur on migration and in winter.

Habitats


Land use: tourism/recreation (10%) | water management (90%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)100

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 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Natural system modificationsFire & fire suppressionIncrease in fire frequency/intensityOngoing
Natural system modificationsDams & water management/useDams (size unknown)Ongoing
Biological resource useHunting & collecting terrestrial animalsIntentional use (species being assessed is the target)Ongoing
PollutionExcess energyNoise pollutionOngoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesInvasive non-native/alien species/diseasesUnspecified speciesOngoing
PollutionDomestic & urban waste waterType Unknown/UnrecordedOngoing
Residential & commercial developmentTourism & recreation areasOngoing
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOngoing