Augustów forest (977)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Puszcza Augustowska
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.9000, Longitude: 23.2667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 135 to 190
Area of KBA (km2): 1342.86863
Protected area coverage (%): 99.92
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The forest is divided into two parts by the Augustów channel, through which the Wo³kuszanka river flows into the Niemen river. The northern part is situated on the Augustów plain in the catchment of the Czarna Hañcza and the Marycha rivers (tributaries of the Niemen). The southern part lies along the border between the Augustów plain and the Biebrza valley. The forest is predominantly coniferous (spruce Picea and pine Pinus), including moist and swampy areas, although large areas are also covered with alder Alnus and in some places there is well preserved dry-ground forest of lime Tilia and hornbeam Carpinus. Many of the forest stands have a natural character. There are several dozen lakes, the largest being Wigry lake (2,187 ha, 73 m in depth). Open areas are occupied by hay meadows and pastures. The National Park in the north-west of the site is used for recreation.
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: Over 200 species have been recorded, c.150 breeding. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (1-2 pairs), Crex crex (rare), Gallinago media.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (8%) | fisheries/aquaculture (5%) | forestry (85%) | hunting | nature conservation and research (23%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 8 | |
| Forest | 85 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 7 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Afforestation with beech Fagus (outside its natural range) poses a threat to Tetrao urogallus (its preferred habitat is conifers).
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Only in the future |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Only in the future |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future |