Etang de Thau (2299)
France, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Etang de Thau
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.4000, Longitude: 3.6167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 2
Area of KBA (km2): 68.37705
Protected area coverage (%): 97.22
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A brackish lagoon with marshes, dunes and sand beaches, reedbeds (Phragmites) and a Pinus plantation.
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: This is an important site for breeding and passage waterbirds.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | hunting | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 33 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Water pollution from agricultural and urban sources, high hunting pressure and tourist activities are considered the main threats.