Bay of Torslanda (903)
Sweden, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Torslandaviken
Central coordinates: Latitude: 57.7042, Longitude: 11.7992
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 2.69603
Protected area coverage (%): 49.91
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Bay of Torslandaviken forms one of two branches of the mouth of one of Sweden's largest rivers.
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 one of the most important sites on the west coast for wintering and passage waterbirds and shorebirds, due to an abundance of food caused by nutrient input from a water-purification plant at the river mouth. A total of 203 species of bird have been recorded in the Bay.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (5%) | nature conservation and research (45%) | urban/industrial/transport (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 30 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 20 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 21 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 20 | |
| Grassland | 4 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Part of the site is embanked and is being filled with mud from the adjacent harbour. The continuation of this work will probably eliminate most of the remaining valuable wetland habitats. Additional threats include drainage of adjacent wetlands, the construction of wind-power plants, controlled tipping, and pollution by industrial surface water. Concerned locals have established the Society of Torsviken Nature Reserve with the aim of protecting valuable wetland habitats.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |