Key Biodiversity Areas

Rømø (2974)
Denmark, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Rømø
Central coordinates: Latitude: 55.0500, Longitude: 8.5333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 20
Area of KBA (km2): 69.96564
Protected area coverage (%): 99.78
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Rømø is an island in the Wadden Sea, surrounded by extensive stretches (1-3 km wide) of flat, very sparsely vegetated sand just above the high tide line. Terrestrial vegetation consists of dunes, heathland, marshes, meadows and small plantations, mainly of Pinus mugo.
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: Several species listed on Annex I of the EC Birds Directive are believed to breed at the site, including Circus aeruginosus, C. cyaneus, C. pygargus, Recurvirostra avosetta, Gelochelidon nilotica, Sterna hirundo and S. paradisaea, although there are no recent data available for breeding gulls and terns.

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland20
Shrubland15
Marine Coastal/Supratidal55
Artificial - Terrestrial10

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesProblematic native species/diseasesNamed speciesOngoing
Natural system modificationsDams & water management/useAbstraction of surface water (unknown use)Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOngoing
Natural system modificationsOther ecosystem modificationsOngoing