Oostvaardersplassen (1244)
Netherlands, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Oostvaardersplassen
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.4333, Longitude: 5.3500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -5 to -3
Area of KBA (km2): 54.78315
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An extensive area of shallow lakes, pools, reedbeds, Salix woodland and grassland which has developed on a polder (Zuidelijk Flevoland, reclaimed in 1968), having been spared from cultivation. It is situated south of the city of Lelystad, and adjoins Markermeer (038) in the north. This site, together with site 067, formed part of a single, larger site (former site NL031) in the previous pan-European IBA inventory (Grimmett and Jones 1989).
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 site is the main roost for geese Anser from feeding areas in Flevoland, and is the most important moulting area for Anser anser in north-west Europe.
Delineation rationale: 9 March 2017: area edited. Now equal to the designated Special Protection Area (Birds Directive).
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%) | water management (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 23 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 69 | |
| Forest | 8 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main problems affecting the area are the natural succession of vegetation and the effects of botulism on wild birds (`Other' threat, above). In 1997 the area was reconnected with Lepelaarplassen (067) by a 250-m-wide stretch of marshland.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the past and unlikely to return | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Only in the future |