Myvatn - Laxa (524)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: Mývatn - Laxá
Central coordinates: Latitude: 65.6333, Longitude: -17.0832
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 0 to 310
Area of KBA (km2): 152.89697
Protected area coverage (%): 98.87
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A shallow eutrophic lake (Mývatn) with many islands and fed by cold and thermal springs. There are numerous small lakes, pools, bogs and sedge marshes (<i>Carex</i>, <i>Eriophorum</i>) in the surrounding area. The Laxá river drains the lake into Skjálfandi bay. `Rocky areas' here are lava. Land-uses include farming, fishing, energy production (hydroelectric and geothermal), mining and tourism.<p></p>
Manageability of the site: Site identified based on BirdLife International's Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, under which manageability is strongly recommended but not explicitly documented
Delineation rationale: Received from Partner in March 2008
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 30 | |
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Fishing and tourism disturb birds and diving waterbirds are also killed in fishing nets. Erosion in the area is excessive. There is a research station at Skútustadir run by the Ministry of Environment.<p></p>
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future |
Additional information
Contributors: Site identified based on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas by the BirdLife International Partnership