Nordzee (3591)
Belgium, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Nordzee
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.2000, Longitude: 2.7500
System: marine, terrestrial
0KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A marine area off the west Belgian coast, with sandbanks that are slightly covered by sea water at all times, and mud- and sandflats that are fully exposed at low tide.
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: Other species include passage Phalacrocorax carbo, Sterna sandvicensis, S. hirundo, S. paradisaea, Gavia stellata (winter >150 birds), G. arctica, Sula bassana, Somateria mollissima, Uria aalge, Alca torda and Aythya marila, and wintering Melanitta nigra (1,500-2,000 birds).
Delineation rationale: Type 2 marine IBA: non-breeding (coastal) congregations.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 50 | |
| Marine Neritic | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Fishing activities and the illegal setting of fixed nets near the French border should be controlled. Seabirds are regularly counted, studies on benthic communities are taking place and remote-sensing aircraft monitor pollution from ship discharges. The area is a proposed Special Area for Conservation.