Austara Eylendid (514)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Austara Eylendið
Central coordinates: Latitude: 65.7500, Longitude: -19.4500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 20
Area of KBA (km2): 197.83922
Protected area coverage (%): 7.32
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Riparian marshes, pools and lakes, c.10 km east and south-east of Saudárkrókur town. The site includes the Austari-Héradsvötn delta and lakes in that area, from Gardsvatn to Borgarey, as well as lakes in Hegranes and their neighbouring marshes, ásvatn, Svanavatn, Hendilkotsvatn, Hólmavatn and Urridavatn. Marshes are dominated by sedge Carex. Land-uses include grazing and fishing.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The site supports a diverse community of breeding waterbirds, and hundreds of migrating Branta leucopsis stage here in spring.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 90 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Predation by the introduced American mink Mustela vison is a threat, as may be grazing. The area is on the list of sites of conservation interest in the Nature Conservation Register.