Látrabjarg (510)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Látrabjarg
Central coordinates: Latitude: 65.4888, Longitude: -24.4375
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 440
Area of KBA (km2): 9.98171
Protected area coverage (%): 65.59
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A sea cliff in the westernmost part of Iceland. Half of the cliff is a sheer precipice, practically without vegetation, but the upper and more eastern parts are less steep and are covered with lush herbaceous vegetation. Rock-falls have formed screes in several places. Eggs are collected traditionally from the auks at certain places on the cliff every spring (`Other' land-use).
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: The site supports huge numbers of breeding seabirds, including the largest colony of Alca torda in the world, and one of the largest colonies of Fratercula arctica in Iceland.
Habitats
Land use: tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Tourism may pose threats.