River Helge (851)
Sweden, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Helgeån
Central coordinates: Latitude: 56.0000, Longitude: 14.1900
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 80.50302
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA covers the plains situated along the final 35 km of the River Helgeån before it enters the Baltic Sea, and incorporates two lakes (Araslövsjön and Hammarsjön). The river meadows are interspersed with grazed areas, bushes, reedbeds (Phragmites) and wet woodlands. Intensively managed agricultural land surrounds the IBA.
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: The site is important for breeding species of wet grassland and other riverine habitats. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (wintering) and Crex crex (breeding).
Delineation rationale: More acurate information on area and borders.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (50%) | hunting | nature conservation and research (50%) | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 4 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 27 | |
| Grassland | 13 | |
| Other | 1 | |
| Forest | 7 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 48 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include the effects of reductions in grazing intensity and nutrient-rich agricultural run-off. Reedbeds and sedge-beds are expanding rapidly, encroaching into areas of open water. Drainage and the filling-in of wet areas are additional threats. Government, local authorities and NGOs are working together to secure the site's future, and nature tourism is being promoted. The maintenance of grazing and mowing is a conservation priority. Only 5% of the Ramsar Site was protected by 1997. Census work and ringing are undertaken at the Nedre Helgeåns field station.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |