Setesdal valley (southern part) (3579)
Norway, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Nedre Setesdal
Central coordinates: Latitude: 58.5215, Longitude: 7.7923
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 165 to 400
Area of KBA (km2): 67.6746
Protected area coverage (%): 2.22
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site consists of the Otra river and surrounding areas. The river is the largest in the southernmost part of Norway, and has been regulated for hydroelectric purposes to a great extent, although no dams exist within the site itself. Forests cover most of the surrounding area, mainly consisting of pine Pinus.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: After several decades of very low breeding numbers in Norway, due to the severe influence of acid rain on freshwater ecosystems, Pandion haliaetus are now increasing in this area, probably as a result of full national protection of the species in 1962, and re-colonization following the re-introduction of trout Salmo trutta and the liming of rivers and streams.
Delineation rationale: Previously erroneous boundary shifted/corrected in Google Earth (Oddvar Heggøy). The site consists of the Otra river and surrounding areas, from the southern part of Byglandsfjorden and south to Kile and Gåseflåfjorden. Surrounding areas < 5 km to each side of the river are included in the IBA. Settlements of Evje, Byglandsfjord and Kile are not part of the IBA.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | forestry (50%) | hunting | military (10%) | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 | |
| Forest | 80 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Commercial fishing of trout Salmo trutta and perch Perca fluviatilis utilizes the same fish populations as Pandion haliaetus, and should be managed so as to secure the birds' food-supply. Numbers of Pandion haliaetus are monitored by local birdwatchers (NOF Aust-Agder), and data on the number of pairs and nesting success exist from about 1980. One nest-site has been protected by the local authorities after it was exposed to disturbance by commercial tourism. Protection includes restrictions on forestry and on public access in the area during the breeding season.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Small-holder plantations | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |