Svarfadardalur (521)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Svarfaðardalur
Central coordinates: Latitude: 65.9500, Longitude: -18.5167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 14.68473
Protected area coverage (%): 38.02
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A complex of river flood-plains, marshes, small lakes and flood-meadows near the town of Dalvík. Land-uses are mainly grazing and haymaking.
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: Notable breeding species include Podiceps auritus and various duck species; hundreds of Anas penelope moult here.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 90 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Predation by introduced American mink Mustela vison is a threat, as is tourism.