Kampinos forest (964)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Puszcza Kampinoska
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.3333, Longitude: 20.5833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 70 to 110
Area of KBA (km2): 389.94568
Protected area coverage (%): 99.94
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A highly fragmented forest in the Wis³a valley, between the Bzura and Wis³a (Vistula) rivers. Coniferous and mixed forests cover banks of sand-dunes along the river terrace, below which lies the marshy valley floor, with watercourses flowing to the Bzura river. Marshy areas are covered with reedbeds Phragmites, sedge-beds, meadows, and riverine forest and scrub. Marshy areas higher up the terrace are covered by broadleaved deciduous forest. Former agricultural land, now abandoned (including whole villages), is situated mainly in the centre of the marshy zone, and is reverting to forest, aided by active afforestion.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The site is very important for breeding Crex crex. A total of 133 species have been confirmed breeding. In recent years (1980-1996) 5-7 species stopped breeding compared with the 1950-1979 period. Over the last quarter-century there have been 13 breeding species of raptor and seven non-breeding visitors or winterers. Three raptors (Falco peregrinus, Milvus migrans and Circus cyaneus) stopped breeding in the 1970s, one (Circaetus gallicus) in the 1980s, and Aquila pomarina is decreasing. Non-raptors which have stopped breeding in recent years at the site include Tetrao tetrix, Burhinus oedicnemus, Coracias garrulus and Lanius minor.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | forestry (63%) | nature conservation and research (15%) | not utilised (12%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 12 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 17 | |
| Forest | 71 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The purchase of arable land by the National Park and the subsequent abandonment of agricultural management (reversion to forest) has reduced the abundance of wildlife of open, non-forest habitats. The water-level fell by c.2 m over the past few decades as a result of drainage and lower-than-average precipitation. Since 1997 the average water-level has risen somewhat as a result of very high rainfall in summer.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| 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 |
| Pollution | Air-borne pollutants | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Flight paths | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Ongoing |