Biala Forest (963)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Puszcza Biala
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.6667, Longitude: 21.7500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 100 to 150
Area of KBA (km2): 838.32817
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: One of the largest remaining complexes of natural forest in the Mazowsze region, situated between the Bug and the Narew rivers, and drained by the Brok, Struga, Truche³ka, Turka and Wymakacz rivers. Stands are 40-80 years old, in more or less dense tracts, interspersed with meadows, ponds and willow Salix scrub. Seventy percent of the forest is a monoculture of pine Pinus or is mixed forest of oak Quercus and Pinus, 10% is broadleaved dominated by hornbeam Carpinus, and the rest is broadleaved riverine forest. Two fish-pond complexes and a dozen or so villages are located in the middle of the site.
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 193 species have been recorded. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Gallinago media.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (25%) | fisheries/aquaculture (5%) | forestry (70%) | hunting
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 71 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 21 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 2 | |
| Other | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Current forest management poses a threat to birds.