Aqajarua-Sullorsuaq (Mudderbugten and Kvandalen) (69)
Greenland (to Denmark), Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Aqajarua-Sullorsuaq (Mudderbugten and Kvandalen)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 69.7000, Longitude: -52.2500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 200
Area of KBA (km2): 384.79356
Protected area coverage (%): 66.10
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Sullorsuaq is a broad, U-shaped valley with glacial melt-water channels present in its lower reaches. Raised flats of tundra and dwarf-shrub heath vegetation occur, with large areas of freshwater marsh at lower altitudes. Aqajarua is a shallow, soft-bottomed, offshore marine area.
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: Large numbers of moulting Somateria spectabilis have been present in the recent past (30,000 individuals in the 1960s).
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (50%) | hunting (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 12 | |
| Marine Neritic | 40 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 12 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 12 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The importance of Aqajarua as a moulting ground for Somateria spectabilis has been greatly reduced, probably due to disturbance from hunting and clam-dredging activities.