Key Biodiversity Areas

Ilperveld, Varkensland, Oostzanerveld & Twiske (1249)
Netherlands, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Ilperveld, Varkensland, Oostzanerveld & Twiske
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.4500, Longitude: 4.9333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -2 to -1
Area of KBA (km2): 22.3383
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: A polder complex comprising pools, ditches, marshland, wet meadows, improved grassland and a recreational area (Twiske). The IBA is located to the north of the city of Amsterdam, adjacent to Oostzanerveld (072). This site, together with sites 068, 070 and 072, formed part of a single, larger site (former site NL038) 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.

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (40%) | fisheries/aquaculture (5%) | hunting (70%) | nature conservation and research (100%) | tourism/recreation (8%) | water management (100%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Forest5
Artificial - Terrestrial70
Wetlands(Inland)22

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats to the site are nutrient pollution of wetlands (`Other' threat), recreation (on water and land), and disturbance caused by aircraft. A compensation scheme is in place for those farmers affected by restrictions on agricultural practices.
Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
PollutionExcess energyNoise pollutionOngoing
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOngoing