Nestos gorge (993)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Stena Nestou
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.1333, Longitude: 24.7167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 10 to 1268
Area of KBA (km2): 144.25066
Protected area coverage (%): 60.14
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site has a large gorge with steep rocky slopes. Forest occupies the bottom of the gorge whilst the surrounding mountain slopes are covered with a mixture of forest and maquis. Human activities include agriculture, mining, tourism and hunting.
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: This is an important site for breeding, passage and wintering raptors. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (wintering), Aegypius monachus (passage), Aquila clanga (wintering), Aquila heliaca (wintering), Falco naumanni (passage), Gallinago media (passage).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (45%) | fisheries/aquaculture (5%) | forestry (35%) | nature conservation and research (20%) | tourism/recreation (5%) | urban/industrial/transport (5%) | water management (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 45 | |
| Forest | 40 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats include the expansion of marble quarries, road building, hunting and uncontrolled tourism development. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.