Central Rodopi mountains and Nestos valley (994)
Greece, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Kentriki Rodopi kai koilada Nestou
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.4500, Longitude: 24.5333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 2000
Area of KBA (km2): 1348.97214
Protected area coverage (%): 96.08
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An extensive area of forest between the River Nestos and the border with Bulgaria. The site includes the primary Fagus and Pinus forest of Paranestion. Human activities include forestry, stock-raising, 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: The site is important for species associated with upland forests.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry (90%) | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Grassland | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The forest is heavily exploited and the main threats come from deforestation and increasingly intensive forest management. Further threats come from dam construction along the Nestos, road building and hunting. Part of the area is a candidate SAC.