Tysmienica river valley (949)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Dolina Tysmienicy
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.6000, Longitude: 22.8167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 132 to 165
Area of KBA (km2): 73.6212
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site contains the Tyœmienica river valley (right-bank tributary of the Wieprz river) and is covered by wet meadows with some remnant sedge-beds and scrub of willow Salix and alder Alnus that are used for agriculture. There are eleven small pond complexes, a few hundred peat pits, oxbow lakes, and the large Siemieñ pond complex (790 ha). In that complex 20% of large ponds and 40-50% of small ones are overgrown with reed Phragmites and reed-mace Typha. The site is surrounded by agricultural land.
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: Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Gallinago media (up to five pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (85%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | forestry (5%) | hunting
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 76 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 6 | |
| Forest | 3 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 15 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Fishermen, and reed burning in spring, cause some disturbance to birds, especially to geese and some ducks. Also, early filling of some ponds reduces breeding numbers of Charadrius dubius and C. hiaticula, and filling ponds too high destroys nests of gulls and terns.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |