Brunasandur (539)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Brunasandur
Central coordinates: Latitude: 63.8000, Longitude: -17.8000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 5 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 813.03381
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A wetland area on an extensive gravel plain, 13 km east of the town Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Habitats include springs, large and small flood-marshes of sedge (Carex, Eriophorum), sandy areas with rushes Juncus, and flat areas of gravel that are partly or completely vegetated. Land-uses include grazing.
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: Little information on birds is available for the area.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 30 | |
| Grassland | 70 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Hunting is a problem. Nootka lupin Lupinus nootkatensis, an introduced plant which is highly invasive, could be a potential threat to the habitat.