Oostelijke Vechtplassen (1251)
Netherlands, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Oostelijke Vechtplassen
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.2167, Longitude: 5.0833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -5 00
Area of KBA (km2): 64.75796
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An extensive area of shallow lakes and canals (former peat-workings), fens, reedbeds, swampy woodland, and wet meadows. The site is located to the west of the city of Hilversum, close to the River Vecht. Human activities include water-sports and reed-harvesting.
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 from surrounding feeding areas, but no counts are available.
Delineation rationale: 9 March 2017: area edited. Now equal to the designated Special Protection Area (Birds Directive).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (5%) | fisheries/aquaculture (60%) | hunting (80%) | nature conservation and research (27%) | tourism/recreation (65%) | urban/industrial/transport (8%) | water management (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 20 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 75 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main problems affecting the site are the drainage of water to surrounding low-lying polders, nutrient pollution of wetlands, disturbance to birds caused by boating, and reed-harvesting (`Other' threat). A compensation scheme is in place for those farmers affected by restrictions on agricultural practices.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Only in the future |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Only in the future |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Only in the future |