Veidivötn (486)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Veiðivötn
Central coordinates: Latitude: 64.1333, Longitude: -18.8167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 560 to 930
Area of KBA (km2): 144.5305
Protected area coverage (%): 23.61
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A complex of crater-lakes in the southern highlands of Iceland, c.30 km south-west of the Vatnajökull glacier. Many lakes have some surrounding vegetation (marshes and grassy areas), and lava-fields have some moss-cover, but otherwise, away from the lakes, there are large, flat expanses of eroded gravel with little or no vegetation. The area is used for sheep-grazing, tourism and trout-fishing (one of Iceland's most popular areas).
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 breeding birds include some Aythya marila and Histrionicus histrionicus, and A. marila also moults in the area (c.200 birds).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Anglers, hunting, introduced American mink Mustela vison, and excessive erosion (`Other' threat) are all potential threats. Ownership of the highlands has not been resolved, but farmers have grazing and fishing rights. The area is on the list of sites of conservation interest in the Nature Conservation Register.