email a friend
printable version
close| Location | Belarus, Gomel |
| Central coordinates | 31o 8.00' East 52o 40.00' North |
| IBA criteria | A1, B2 |
| Area | 22,865 ha |
| Altitude | 130 - 132m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2005 |
Ornithological information More than 20,000 geese and 30,000 waders stop off in April-May for feeding and rest. White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons and Ruff Philomachus pugnax are especially numerous on migration. The floodplain meadows are used by large breeding populations of the globally threatened Corncrake Crex crex and Great Snipe Gallinago media. Breeding Garganey Anas querquedula, Black Tern Chlidonias niger, and Bluethroat Luscinia svetica are also high in number.
Site description The IBA covers the most significant part for biodviersity conservation of the Sozh floodplain from the mouth of the Besiad river up to the Vetka river. The Sozh floodplain is about 5-6 km wide. The floodplain is mainly present on both sides of the river, though sometimes only on one bank or the other.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garganey Anas querquedula | breeding | 1987 | 400-600 breeding pairs | medium | B2 | Least Concern |
| Corncrake Crex crex | breeding | 1987 | 300-500 breeding pairs | medium | A1 | Least Concern |
| Great Snipe Gallinago media | breeding | 1996 | 60-120 breeding pairs | medium | A1 | Near Threatened |
| Black Tern Chlidonias niger | breeding | 1987 | 150-500 breeding pairs | medium | B2 | Least Concern |
| Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis | breeding | 2004 | 30-50 breeding pairs | medium | B2 | Least Concern |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Alluvial and very wet forest | 5% |
| Grassland | Humid grasslands; Steppes and dry calcareous grassland | 75% |
| Wetlands (inland) | Standing freshwater | 20% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| agriculture | 20% |
| not utilised | 80% |
Other biodiversity No special flora and fauna studies have been performed on the site.
Management considerations The main threat to the biodiversity is the cessation of traditional economic activities, resulting in the rapid encroachment of shrubs on open meadows.
Protection status National Conservation Status: none.International Conservation Status: An IBA was established in 1998 (code BY 021, criteria A1, Â2).
Related state of the world's birds case studies
References A.Kozulin, L.Vergeichik, M.Nikiforov and others. Treasures of Belarusian nature.- Minsk, 2002. -160 p.
Contribute Please click here to help BirdLife conserve the world's birds - your data for this IBA and others are vital for helping protect the environment.
Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Sož floodplain. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/05/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
|
|