Lower Bug river valley (951)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Dolina Dolnego Bugu
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.3167, Longitude: 22.3500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 85 to 116
Area of KBA (km2): 745.12409
Protected area coverage (%): 99.71
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site contains the channel and valley of the Bug river between the Krzna river tributary and the Zegrzyñski reservoir (260 km), with adjacent extensive dry pastures. The whole area floods in spring. There are some swamps and mires at the mouths of tributaries entering the Bug. The river channel is generally natural, not too modified by man, so there are numerous bare sand islands and others overgrown with ruderal herbs or willow Salix scrub. Elsewhere there are also local remnants of willow or poplar Populus scrub. On the lowest river terrace there are numerous oxbow lakes, differing in size, depth and extent of aquatic vegetation (Potamogeton, Lemna).
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: The site supports more breeding Charadrius hiaticula than any other inland site in Europe.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 60 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Other | 3 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 7 | |
| Forest | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include dam-building, conversion of meadows to arable land, building of infrastructure for recreation, and reduced numbers of cattle with consequent reductions in extent of pasture.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | 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 | 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 |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |