Bassin d'Arcachon et Banc d'Arguin (2157)
France, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Bassin d'Arcachon et Banc d'Arguin
Central coordinates: Latitude: 44.6667, Longitude: -1.1167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 2
Area of KBA (km2): 331.40435
Protected area coverage (%): 96.02
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A bay and estuary with islands and sand-dunes, Zostera beds, saltwater and freshwater lagoons, wet meadows, marshes and mudflats.
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 holds 20,000 or more waterbirds on passage and in winter, on a regular basis.
Delineation rationale: Bernard Deceuninck (June 2014): Includes a seaward extension area (12890 ha) delineated on the basis of foraging area of breeding seabirds. Marguerite Tarzia (June 2014): added 'Marine Type 2' Seaward extension to breeding colony
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | hunting | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 19 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 19 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 19 | |
| Grassland | 19 | |
| Forest | 19 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include pollution from anti-fouling paint used on boats, intensive hunting and tourism.