Upper Narew River Valley (978)
Poland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Dolina Gornej Narwi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.9167, Longitude: 23.4167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 183.72289
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site comprises a stretch of the upper Narew valley between the dam at Bondary village and the town of Sura¿, as well as the Pietkowo pond complex near Sura¿. The Narew river has a natural character, and the valley is up to 3 km wide. Flood-plain plant communities depend on annual river flooding: beds of sedge and reed-grass Glyceria dominate, while small patches of reed Phragmites, scrub and willow Salix woodland occur along the river. Forest covers only 5% of the valley; open areas are mainly pastures and hay meadows. The Pietkowo pond complex adjoins extensive mixed and broadleaved forests. The ponds are densely overgrown with rushes and reeds Phragmites, with smaller amounts of sedge, reed-mace Typha and bulrush Scirpus.
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: A total of 145 species have been recorded breeding (49 at Pietkowo ponds). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aythya nyroca (one breeding pair), Haliaeetus albicilla (non-breeding visitor).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (70%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | forestry (5%) | hunting
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 18 | |
| Forest | 16 | |
| Grassland | 63 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 2 | |
| Other | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Fish-farming activities include the dredging of ponds and lowering of the water-level in the area of the ponds. Abandonment of management of hay meadows and pasture has reduced the suitability of these habitats for some birds.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | 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 |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | 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 |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | 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 | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Ongoing |