Gudlaugstungur-Álfgeirstungur (540)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Guðlaugstungur-Álfgeirstungur
Central coordinates: Latitude: 64.9833, Longitude: -19.4000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 520 to 620
Area of KBA (km2): 411.36402
Protected area coverage (%): 74.67
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A wetland to the north of the Kjölur area, in the central highlands of Iceland. There are extensive marshes/mires of sedge (Carex, Eriophorum) overlying permafrost, and eroded gravel areas. The ownership of the highlands is not resolved, but farmers hold grazing and fishing rights. The main land-use is grazing.
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: Hundreds of Anser brachyrhynchus moult in álfgeirstungur. Not much information on birds is available for the area.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 30 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 30 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 40 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No threats are known.