Liwiec river valley (950)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Dolina Liwca
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.3000, Longitude: 22.0667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 180 to 180
Area of KBA (km2): 274.38107
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A 140 km long stretch of the Liwiec river valley. Some stretches have a natural character, along others the river is regulated. In some places the riverbanks are flat, covered by meadows and wet pastures, in other places they are high. There are fens and transitional mires, used as meadows and pastures, as well as riverine forests. On the riverbanks and some higher areas there are also pine Pinus woods. There are two small pond complexes (48 ha, 70 ha).
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: A total of 120 species had been recorded breeding by 1980. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Gallinago media (one pair).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | fisheries/aquaculture (5%) | forestry (35%) | hunting
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Other | 2 | |
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Forest | 14 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: In 1992 and 1993 the valley was drained, which caused a significant reduction in bird numbers. A Landscape Park (`Dolina Liwca') is planned, as are some Nature Reserves.