Breidamerkursandur (542)
Iceland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Breiðamerkursandur
Central coordinates: Latitude: 64.0000, Longitude: -16.3167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 20
Area of KBA (km2): 204.60015
Protected area coverage (%): 53.36
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A wetland area on a glacial outwash plain, formed by a number of rivers running from the Vatnajökull glacier on the south-east coast of Iceland. There are small marshes (dominated by Carex and Eriophorum), glacial lagoons, sandy areas with rushes Juncus, and flat areas of glacial outwash gravel, partly or completely vegetated with moss and other vegetation. Land-uses may include hunting.
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: A good diversity of waders also breed here.
Habitats
Land use: tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 30 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 70 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Nootka lupin Lupinus nootkatensis, an introduced plant which is highly invasive, may pose a potential threat to the natural vegetation of the habitat.