Vilsandi archipelago (265)
Estonia, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2003
National site name: Vilsandi saarestik
Central coordinates: Latitude: 58.3500, Longitude: 21.9000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 9
Area of KBA (km2): 183.07135
Protected area coverage (%): 99.93
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large complex of shallow (<5 m) bays on the western coast of Saaremaa island, with many small islets and some lakes. Vegetation includes reedbeds, coastal meadows, and forest. The main land-uses are nature-conservation projects and research, and grazing of cattle and sheep.
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: Vilsandi archipelago is an important breeding, staging and wintering area for waterbirds, especially wildfowl, and notably Polysticta stelleri in winter. Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Larus canus (400 pairs), Sterna caspia (3-4 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (5%) | fisheries/aquaculture (65%) | forestry (10%) | nature conservation and research (100%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 67 | |
| Shrubland | 9 | |
| Forest | 12 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Grassland | 3 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 4 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Tourism poses a major threat. Research includes large-scale complex monitoring of birds and the environment.