Hrísey (534)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Hrísey
Central coordinates: Latitude: 66.0100, Longitude: -18.3865
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 110
Area of KBA (km2): 16.88989
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An inshore island in the Eyjafjördur firth, opposite the town of Dalvík. There is a village on the island. Land-uses include eider husbandry (Somateria mollissima). No grazing is allowed.
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: Lagopus mutus occurs at high density (up to 40 males/km2), and a variety of waders also breed.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 70 | |
| Grassland | 30 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The native heathland vegetation is being replaced by the introduced and invasive Nootka lupin Lupinus nootkatensis, and by afforestation with Picea, Larix and Pinus. The area is on the list of sites of conservation interest in the Nature Conservation Register.