Krammer-Volkerak (1204)
Netherlands, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Krammer-Volkerak
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.6500, Longitude: 4.2500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -15 to -1
Area of KBA (km2): 60.83862
Protected area coverage (%): 99.98
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A former tidal estuary of the Rhine/Maas river sytem, closed off from the Oosterschelde (028) in 1987. It also adjoins Grevelingen (027) in the west, Haringvliet/Hollands Diep (024/025) in the north, and is linked with the Zoommeer (029) via the Schelde-Rhine river connection (shipping lane to Antwerp). The 20-km long stagnant freshwater lake includes some islets. Hunting is allowed but with restrictions as to quarry species.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: An important site for breeding Recurvirostra avosetta, Charadrius alexandrinus (max. 184 pairs, 1989) and Sterna albifrons, but numbers are decreasing due to vegetation succession. The best breeding site for Larus melanocephalus in the Netherlands (e.g. 143 pairs in 1993). The mean total number of waterbirds in January exceeds 20,000.
Delineation rationale: 9 March 2017: name and area edited. Proposed, but not yet designated as Special Protection Area (Birds Directive).
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (60%) | hunting (100%) | nature conservation and research (54%) | tourism/recreation (60%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%) | water management (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main problem is nutrient pollution (`Other' threat, above). The bird-species composition outside the breeding season is much affected by the ongoing change from a salt- to a freshwater ecosystem.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (unknown use) | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Only in the future |