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close| Location | Slovenia, Pomurje,Prekmurje |
| Central coordinates | 16o 10.00' East 46o 35.00' North |
| IBA criteria | B2, B3, C6 |
| Area | 15,490 ha |
| Altitude | 159 - 234m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2011 |
Ornithological information The site supports important breeding numbers of numerous species of European conservation concern that are typical of flooded forest, meadows, and riverbanks. The population densities of many species are high due to the relatively natural state of the alluvial forest habitats. Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Jynx torquilla (30-50 pairs). The site also holds nationally important numbers of breeding Ciconia ciconia and riverine forest passerines.
Site description The 80-km stretch of the River Mura which flows through Slovenia. Seasonal flooding creates a characteristic landscape with numerous natural features, from gravel riverbanks to dense marshlands to old meanders along the lower stretch of the river, as well as huge alluvial forests. èrni log (1,200 ha) is the largest Alnus forest in central Europe, and is dense and uninhabited. Because of the danger of flooding, dykes have been built along the riverbanks. The Mura river meadows, wet grasslands, flood-plain and forests remain relatively intact, but cultivated fields and grasslands are intensively managed.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Stork Ciconia nigra | breeding | 2002-2010 | 8-11 breeding pairs | - | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus | breeding | 1999-2010 | 20-40 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Great Egret Casmerodius albus | winter | 2004-2010 | 60-100 individuals | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla | breeding | 2002-2011 | 2 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Little Crake Porzana parva | breeding | 1999 | 10-20 breeding pairs | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis | breeding | 1999 | 60-100 breeding pairs | - | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla | breeding | 2002-2010 | 100-200 breeding pairs | - | B2 | Least Concern |
| Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius | breeding | 2004-2010 | 1,450-2,200 breeding pairs | - | B3, C6 | Least Concern |
| Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria | breeding | 2006-2010 | 50-80 breeding pairs | - | B3, C6 | Least Concern |
| Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis | breeding | 2004-2008 | 5,600-7,400 breeding pairs | - | B3, C6 | Least Concern |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mura - SI3000215 | Habitats Directive | 8,244 | protected area overlaps with site | 7,603 | |
| Mura - SI5000010 | Birds Directive | 11,298 | protected area overlaps with site | 9,987 |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Alluvial and very wet forest | 70% |
| Shrubland | 20% | |
| Grassland | Humid grasslands | 20% |
| Wetlands (inland) | Rivers and streams; Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation | 30% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| agriculture | 25% |
| forestry | 70% |
| urban/industrial/transport | 5% |
Management considerations In 1985 the regional Nature Conservation Service prepared a proposal for some Landscape Parks in the area, but at the same time hydroelectric power-stations were planned, and the latter continue to be the main threat to the site. Remaining wet grasslands are threatened with drainage. Gravel extraction should be limited and some habitat restoration projects could be done. A planned highway between Slovenia and Hungary will probably cross the area. In 1992 DOPPS and Euronatur initiated the Drava-Mura nature conservation project (see also `River Drava', IBA 012). Conservation issues were publicized, and at an international conference this IBA was proposed as a Biosphere Reserve.
Protection status National None International None
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: River Mura. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/05/2013
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