Sog (495)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Sog
Central coordinates: Latitude: 64.1667, Longitude: -21.0000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 15 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 92.80584
Protected area coverage (%): 17.92
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A major freshwater river that drains Lake Thingvallavatn. Land-uses also include angling (salmon fishing), hydroelectric generation and holiday-homes. The area belongs to three communities: Grafningshreppur, ölfushreppur and Grímsneshreppur.
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: One of the few wintering sites for Bucephala islandica in Iceland away from Mývatn-Laxá (site 044). Also overwintering, in notable numbers, are Bucephala clangula (one of the few wintering sites in Iceland) and Mergus serrator.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Hydroelectric power-stations have changed the river ecosystem. The area is on the list of sites of conservation interest in the Nature Conservation Register.