Öxarfjördur (525)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Öxarfjördur
Central coordinates: Latitude: 66.1167, Longitude: -16.7500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 15
Area of KBA (km2): 221.23062
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An extensive wetland by öxarfjördur bay, comprising rivers (fed by cold and thermal springs), freshwater and brackish marshes, streams, lakes and pools. The freshwater marshes are dominated by sedges (Carex, Eriophorum). Land-uses include grazing, fishing and fish-farming.
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: There is a good variety of other breeding waterfowl and waders.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 67 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Predation by introduced American mink Mustela vison threatens waterbird populations. Nootka lupin Lupinus nootkatensis, an introduced plant which is highly invasive, is a threat to the natural vegetation of the habitat. The pollution and development caused by fish-farming are potential problems, as is a plan to build a geothermal power-station. The area is on the list of sites of conservation interest in the Nature Conservation Register.