Biesbosch (1229)
Netherlands, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Biesbosch
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.7667, Longitude: 4.8333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 3
Area of KBA (km2): 94.78755
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A former tidal estuary in the Rhine/Maas river system, sealed off from the sea in 1970 (see Haringvliet, 024) and no longer subject to marine influence. The site consists of a flood-plain, polders, marshland and swamp-forest, and is intersected by many formerly tidal creeks. The site is adjacent to Hollands Diep (025) in the west; it does not include three drinking-water reservoirs within its boundary. Human activities include reed-harvesting (`Other' land-use, below).
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 roost for geese Anser which come from surrounding feeding areas, but counts underestimate actual numbers. The mean total number of waterbirds in January exceeds 20,000.
Delineation rationale: 9 March 2017: area edited. Now equal to the designated Special Protection Area (Birds Directive).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (30%) | fisheries/aquaculture (30%) | hunting (50%) | nature conservation and research (49%) | tourism/recreation (35%) | urban/industrial/transport (16%) | water management (100%) | water management (6%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 45 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 39 | |
| Forest | 16 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are the pollution of bottom sediments by industrial chemicals, and recreation. Clay extraction will result in marsh restoration in the north of the area.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |