Schorren en Polder van de Beneden-Schelde (704)
Belgium, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Schorren en Polders van de Beneden-Schelde
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.3167, Longitude: 4.2500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 7
Area of KBA (km2): 70.84787
Protected area coverage (%): 95.92
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A brackish part of the River Schelde on Flemish territory near the border of the Netherlands, encompassing mud and sandflats and brackish marshes. The neighbouring polders are included and comprise grazing-meadows, agricultural land, several large reedbeds, sandy and muddy industrial wasteland, and several deep-water docks connected with the River Schelde.
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: This is an internationally important staging and wintering site for waders and waterfowl, especially for Anser anser and Anas crecca. The area is also nationally important for breeding meadow birds and waders.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (50%) | nature conservation and research (10%) | urban/industrial/transport (40%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 86 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Breeding birds and wintering waterbirds are regularly surveyed. A recent report on the state of nature in part of the IBA is being produced within the framework of future infrastructure development. According to the physical planning scheme of the Flemish Government this site will be destroyed by infrastructure works for the harbour of Antwerp; only very small parts of the IBA will remain free of industrial plants. 400 ha of IBA covered by proposed Site of Community Importance (Schelde and Durme-estuary from Dutch border to Gent, 139 ha).