Wadden Coast (1196)
Netherlands, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Noordzeekustzone
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.3333, Longitude: 5.0000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -20 00
Area of KBA (km2): 1444.64781
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An extensive area of coastal waters, extending from the Eems/Dollard estuary and German border in the east across to Groet (Noord-Holland) in the south. The area is adjacent to 11 IBAs (001, 003-004, 006-012, 019). The outer boundary follows roughly the line of 20 metres depth. Important habitats include shallowly submerged sandbanks.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: The number of Somateria mollissima increased during the winters of 1992/93 and 1993/94 due to food shortage in the Wadden Sea.
Delineation rationale: 9 March 2017: name and area edited. Now equal to the designated Special Protection Area (Birds Directive). Is part of the Dutch Continental Shelf. Alternative name is North Sea Coast.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (100%) | tourism/recreation (20%) | urban/industrial/transport (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The zone lying up to three nautical miles offshore from islands is included in the Trilateral Cooperation Area between Denmark, Germany and Netherlands with regard to the protection of the Wadden Sea. The ecological target for this zone is a ";favourable food availability for birds"; (as agreed upon in 1994).