A small, uninhabited barrier island in the Wadden Sea between Schiermonnikoog and Rottumeroog, with beaches, shifting and fixed sand-dunes, saltmarshes, cord-grass Spartina swards, and mudflats (the entire site is enclosed by site 001). The accretion of the island was promoted by the building of a sand dyke, which was reinforced in the 1970s. There are a small number of guided excursions, otherwise the island is closed to the public. Hunting is restricted to rabbits. The site (all of the mudflats south of the island) has been entirely closed to cockle Cardium and mussel Mytilus fishing since 1993. Coastal defence measures have been reduced since 1988. This site, together with site 012, formed part of a single, larger site (former site NL009) in the previous pan-European IBA inventory (Grimmett and Jones 1989).
Key biodiversity
An important high-tide roost for waterbirds that feed in the Wadden Sea.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Gas extraction in the Wadden Sea (resulting in subsidence) is a threat.
Protected areas
National High International High782 ha of IBA covered by Natural Monument (Waddenzee I, 125,000 ha). 782 ha of IBA covered by Special Protection Area (Waddenzee, `250,000 ha' [official, incorrect figure]). 782 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Waddenzee, `250,000 ha' [official, incorrect figure]).
