The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Iceland

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

ICELAND / ISLANDE / ISLANDIA

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Iceland on 2 April 1978. Iceland presently has 3 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 58,970 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Grunnafjördur. 24/06/96; 1,470 ha; 64º23’N 21º55’W. Nature Reserve. River mouth, estuary and seabay consisting of mudflats rich in invertebrates, supporting musselbanks and saltmarsh vegetation. The site is an important staging, wintering and breeding area for large numbers of various species of waterbirds. Human activities include recreation and collection of eider down, and farming and salmon fishing in the surrounding area. Ramsar site no. 854. Most recent RIS information: 1996.

Myvatn-Laxá region (part). 02/12/77; 20,000 ha; 65º40’N 017º00’W. Added to the Montreux Record, 4 July 1990, removed from the Record, 16 June 1993. Protected Area. Part of a vast lake, river and marsh complex fed by both cold and thermal springs. The site supports freshwater marshes, a rich submerged flora, algal communities, Betula woodland, bog and moorland. The abundant invertebrate fauna provide food for large numbers of waterbirds. The site is especially important for two duck species that, in Europe, nest only in Iceland. Virtually the entire European population of Bucephala islandica breeds in the area (2,000 pairs). The site is important for various other species of nesting waterbirds and large numbers of molting Anatidae. Human activities include farming, fishing, mining for diatomite, hydro- and geothermal electricity generation, and tourism. Subject of a Ramsar Advisory Mission in 1992. Ramsar site no. 167. Most recent RIS information: 1992.

Thjörsárver. 20/03/90; 37,500 ha; 64º35’N 019º15’W. Added to the Montreux Record, 4 July 1990, removed from the Record, 16 June 1993. Nature Reserve. The upper part of the Thjórsa River, tundra meadows dissected by numerous glacial and spring-fed streams, the site includes abundant pools and lakes and extensive marshland dominated by sedges. The site is surrounded by a desert composed of volcanic sand. It is the most important nesting area in Iceland for the goose Anser brachyrhynchus, supporting about 10,000 pairs. Ramsar site no. 460. Most recent RIS information: 1992.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 26 January 2000, 13 June 2000, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.