Nieuwkoopse Plassen & De Haeck (1254)
Netherlands, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Nieuwkoopse Plassen & De Haeck
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.1500, Longitude: 4.7833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -5 to -1
Area of KBA (km2): 19.8584
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A complex of shallow freshwater lakes, pools, canals, reedbeds, wet meadows and swamp-forest, located 15 km north-west of the city of Utrecht.
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.
Delineation rationale: 9 March 2017: name and area edited. Now equal to the designated Special Protection Area (Birds Directive).
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (30%) | hunting (25%) | nature conservation and research (59%) | tourism/recreation (27%) | water management (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 69 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 27 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main problems affecting the site include drainage of water to lower-lying polders, and nutrient pollution of wetlands (`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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Flight paths | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing |