Chelm calcareous marshes (944)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Chelmskie Torfowiska Weglanowe
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.1667, Longitude: 23.6167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 150 to 150
Area of KBA (km2): 43.04517
Protected area coverage (%): 99.37
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is a complex of calcareous marshes˜Gotówka, BrzeŸno, B³ota Serebryjskie, Rozkosz and Stefanów˜situated north-west and west of Che³m town. Fens overlie the chalk, and are dominated by great fen sedge Cladium. Wetter areas are covered by beds of reed Phragmites and sedge Carex. Within the marshes are chalk islands covered with dry grassland and scrub. Surrounding meadows are used by farmers. Most of the marshes are cut by old but still functioning drainage channels which join the Udal river system (the Bug tributary), the Œwier¿owski canal system and the Gdolanka river system (the Uherka tributary).
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: Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Crex crex (six pairs), Gallinago media (16 displaying males).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (40%) | hunting | nature conservation and research (50%) | water management (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 40 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Grassland | 32 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 23 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: In the immediate proximity of Che³m, the cement-works and busy transportation network pose a considerable threat to the marshes. Another threat is infrastructural development associated with a motorway-construction program linking Che³m with the border-crossing at Dorohusk. Only one marsh lies fully within a protected area (Bagno Serebryskie Nature Reserve). There are plans to enlarge the other reserves that partially cover other marshes (BrzeŸno and Roskosz). OTOP and IUCN-WCU are carrying out a project to protect and rehabilitate the marshes.