Northwest Spitsbergen National Park (3189)
Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (to Norway), Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Nordvest Spitsbergen Nasjonalpark
Central coordinates: Latitude: 79.5752, Longitude: 12.0253
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 1400
Area of KBA (km2): 9918.42797
Protected area coverage (%): 99.94
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Bird data are available for the following localities within this huge IBA: Guissezholmen Bird Sanctuary (includes islets near Kapp Guissez; 79°05'N 11°30'E); Casimir-Perierkammen (sea cliffs facing Krossfjorden; 79°08'N 11°52'E); Kongshamaren (headland with cliffs in Kongsfjorden; 79°13'N 11°50'E); Nilsfjellet (sea cliffs facing Krossfjorden; 79°16'N 11°33'E); Knoffberget (sea cliffs on north-west coast of Spitsbergen; 79°22'N 10°52'E); Moseøya Bird Sanctuary (79°40'N 11°00'E); Skorpa Bird Sanctuary (79°40'N 11°00'E); south-west Amsterdamøya (sea cliffs; 79°45'N 10°45'E); north Hakluythovden, Amsterdamøya (sea cliffs; 79°47'N 10°48'E); Klovningen (small island with sea cliffs at north end of Spitsbergen; 79°53'N 11°30'E); Flathuken (sea cliffs facing Raudfjorden; 79°51'N 11°50'E); Hornbækfjellet (sea cliffs facing Raudfjorden; 79°49'N 11°50'E); Austplana (sea cliffs facing Raudfjorden; 79°47'N 11°53'E); Liefdefjorden (fjord with numerous small islands; 79°40'N 13°00'E); Moffen Nature Reserve (island with lake, off north coast of Spitsbergen; 80°05'N 12°45'E); Nissenfjella (sea cliffs on north-west coast of Spitsbergen; 79°24'N 10°51'E).
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: There are two breeding concentrations of Branta leucopsis, while the number of breeding Branta bernicla at Moffen island probably exceeds 1% of the Svalbard population. There are also some large seabird colonies, the most numerous species being Rissa tridactyla (10,700 pairs) and Uria lomvia (67,700-71,700 breeding birds). The number of Sterna paradisaea is also notable (1,500 pairs). Moffen Nature Reserve is the only known breeding site for Larus sabini in Svalbard (up to five pairs).
Delineation rationale: Adopted from an official polygon for a protected area.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 33 | |
| Marine Neritic | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No threats are known. Access to Moffen Nature Reserve is prohibited between 15 May and 15 September (including the adjacent sea areas and airspace below 500 m).