Melrakkaslétta (533)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Melrakkaslétta
Central coordinates: Latitude: 66.4927, Longitude: -16.2195
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 60
Area of KBA (km2): 1111.76156
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A peninsula in the north-east part of Iceland. The IBA extends from Presthólahraun, south of the town of Kópasker along the coast to Sveinungsvík, south-east of the town of Raufarhöfn. Habitats include an extensive and species-rich intertidal zone, coastal brackish lakes, cliffs, marshes, freshwater lakes, extensive heathland, and eroded gravel areas. Land-uses include eider husbandry (Somateria mollissima), grazing and fishing.
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: The area is relatively rich in breeding species of waterfowl, raptors and waders. Calidris maritima occurs at one of its highest breeding densities in Iceland, as does Lagopus mutus. The area is also important for staging waders and for moulting Anser anser. There are four seabird-nesting cliffs in the area (Snartastadanúpur, Raudinúpur, Ormarslónshöfdi and Súlur), of which Raudinúpur is the largest, and breeding species include Rissa tridactyla (c.15,000 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 14 | |
| Marine Neritic | 30 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 7 | |
| Shrubland | 30 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 14 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Predation by introduced American mink Mustela vison is a threat. The area is on the list of sites of conservation interest in the Nature Conservation Register.