Gródek-Michalowo basin (966)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Niecka Grodecko-Michalowska
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.0667, Longitude: 23.6667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 146 to 160
Area of KBA (km2): 63.91413
Protected area coverage (%): 99.42
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site consists of a large basin covered by a thick layer of peat. The basin drains into the upper course of the Supraœl river, which traverses the northern part of the site. Most of the area has been drained by man, but in many places there are still mires. The central part of the basin is occupied by fens (mainly sedge-beds, occasionally reedbeds Phragmites), while the southern part is raised bog, with marshy forest and a variety of bog mosses. There are two small lakes, Gorbacz and Wiejki. The marshy forest is dominated by birch Betula and pine Pinus, with alder Alnus scrub also common.
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 105 species have been recorded breeding. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (one bird on passage), Crex crex (20-40 breeding birds).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (55%) | forestry (5%) | hunting | not utilised (40%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Forest | 15 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 30 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Tourism/recreation causes disturbance to birds.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing |