Stjørdalsfjord (3179)
Norway, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Stjørdalsfjorden
Central coordinates: Latitude: 63.4667, Longitude: 10.8333
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 52.53959
Protected area coverage (%): 5.22
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A 10-km long fjord in the south-eastern part of the Trondheimsfjord, 20-25 km east of Trondheim. At the outlet of the Stjørdalselva river there are meadows, intertidal flats of sand and mud, and shallow subtidal habitat. Further out, on the northern side of the site, there are fewer mudflats. The sea here is still quite shallow: as far as 1-2 km offshore it is not more than 10-20 m deep.
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: This is a notable staging area for congregatory seabirds and waterbirds, especially in spring˜for example, in April there are 20,000-30,000 seabirds present. Birds are partly attracted by herring roe, which may be washed ashore in layers up to 0.5 m thick during storms and rough seas (the area is important for spawning herring Clupea harengus in spring).
Delineation rationale: Boundary created in Google Earth, and mainly follows the coastline of the fjord.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (20%) | urban/industrial/transport (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 80 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 18 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The entanglement and drowning of seabirds in fishing nets is a major problem, especially in spring. Land-claim for industrial development and roads has destroyed mudflats in the inner parts of the fjord. Further road-building is planned, but no final decisions in this respect have yet been made.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Only in the future | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Flight paths | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |