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Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
The site covers a 105-km-long stretch of the Odra valley from G³oska village (near Brzeg Dolny town) to G³ogów town, as well as a 7 km long stretch from the mouth of the Barycz river to the Odra river. The valley is up to 4 km wide, and is bordered by flood embankments. There are broadleaved forests (totalling 5,000 ha) and oxbow lakes. Old-growth forest is common, with trees often over 100 years in age. The oxbow lakes are at different stages of silting up.
Over 200 species have been recorded, c.150 as breeding species, with more than 60 breeding in riverine forest. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Crex crex (eight pairs). Other notable breeders are
Pernis apivorus (12-14 pairs) and
Grus grus (30 pairs).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Forests are at risk of clear-cutting to improve flood control. Many of the old-growth trees are Nature Monuments. Three Landscape Parks and eight Nature Reserves are planned.
National Low
International None5 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Odrzysko, 5 ha). 1,270 ha of IBA covered by Protected Landscape Area (Dolina Odry, 1,270 ha). 21 ha of IBA covered by Ecological Area (cinawskie Bagna, 21 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Odra riverine forests (Poland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/odra-riverine-forests-iba-poland on 23/12/2024.