SI006
Ljubljansko moor


Site description (2000 baseline):

Site location and context
Ljubljansko barje is a large 150 km2 depression, traversed by the Ljubljanica river. Once a vast mire, today it is mainly cultivated (maize). The area is a traditional cultural landscape with extensive wet grasslands, flood-plain woodlands, thickets and small, wooded hills. Groundwater-levels are high, some areas are flooded regularly, and there are dense networks of ditches, channels and brooks. Settlements are generally concentrated along the driest edges of the site, with the Slovenian capital Ljubljana lying on the northern border.



Key biodiversity
The site is the most important breeding place in Slovenia for the globally threatened Crex crex and is one of the most important sites for seven other SPECs. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (max. 8 pairs, the last Slovenian colony and nearing national extinction). During migration, large flocks of waterbirds and raptors rest in the area. Out of 210 recorded bird species, 107 have bred (including 53 species on the national Red Data List, 40% of the total). This high species-richness and abundance is due to the great variety of vegetation-types which result from the extensive management of the landscape.



Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Agricultural improvement and conversion of crops to maize monoculture has caused a number of negative effects. There is a no management plan for the site. Recent research at the site has included a breeding bird atlas project (almost completed) initiated by DOPPS, census counts and mapping of birds, and a detailed analysis of bird communities.



Protected areas
National Low International None3 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Draga pri Igu, 3 ha). 3 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Koslerjeva gošèa, 3 ha).




Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ljubljansko moor (Slovenia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ljubljansko-moor-iba-slovenia on 22/11/2024.