Lista wetland system (3177)
Norway, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Lista våtmarkssystem
Central coordinates: Latitude: 58.0833, Longitude: 6.6667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 47.71701
Protected area coverage (%): 45.20
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area consists of a stretch of coastline and five separate wetlands inland. The latter are remnants following extensive drainage during the twentieth century. The coastline at Lista typically consists of stony and sandy beaches and the site includes a large offshore area of shallow sea. The inland wetlands consist of nutrient-rich lakes, marshes and mudflats.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: A notable staging area for waterbirds both in spring and autumn, e.g. for Calidris alpina (7,000 on passage). Numerous seabirds, birds of prey and passerines also make use of the wetland system during migration. More than 5,000 pairs of waterbird breed in the area, and 5,000-8,000 waterbirds winter there.
Delineation rationale: Boundary created in Google Earth.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (50%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | military (9%) | nature conservation and research (11%) | not utilised (35%) | tourism/recreation (16%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 35 | |
| Marine Neritic | 25 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 35 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The major part of Lista (c.4,000 ha) was wetland until the Second World War, but the largest amount was drained as late as the 1980s. Although 90% of the site is now protected, birds and habitats in the area are still threatened by agriculture, industrialization (e.g. at Lundevågen) and tourism (e.g. disturbance of birds by sailing at Nordhasselbukta). Nature conservation in general, and conservation of Lista in particular, are treated as a low priority by local politicians and community leaders. These factors are putting great pressure on the existing protected areas. The area that remains unprotected (10% of the total) should be protected, to avoid further habitat destruction. Lista Bird Observatory has conducted standardized studies on migrating birds in the western parts of the area, and is taking part in the European-African Songbird Migration Network project (supported by the European Science Foundation). The local department of the Norwegian Ornithological Society monitors breeding waterbirds and migrating waders and ducks. The colony of Larus fuscus at Rauna Nature Reserve is counted and monitored annually, as part of the national seabird research programme, led by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA). NINA also conducts annual counts of wintering waterbirds in the area.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Intentional use: large scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (commercial use) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Run-off | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Excess energy | Noise pollution | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Air-borne pollutants | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Flight paths | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |