NL051
Biesbosch


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2016 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List Season (year/s of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 624–1,507 birds B1i, C2, C6
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 13,624–23,215 birds A4i, B1i, C2
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 31,500–38,446 birds B1i, C3
Smew Mergellus albellus LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 446–763 birds B1i, C2, C6
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 12,324–18,218 birds B1i, C3
Gadwall Mareca strepera LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 15,655 birds B1i, C3
Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 26,045–45,519 birds B1i, C3
Common Teal Anas crecca LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 7,928–12,054 birds B1i, C3
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra LC winter (2011–2015) 11,167–14,709 birds B2
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax LC breeding (2011–2015) 1 pairs C6
Great White Egret Ardea alba LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 453–961 birds C6
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta LC breeding (2011–2015) 192–408 pairs C6
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa NT non-breeding (2011–2015) 2,517–4,196 birds B1i, C3
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 81,530 birds A4i, B1i, C3
Osprey Pandion haliaetus LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 9–13 birds C6
White-tailed Sea-eagle Haliaeetus albicilla LC breeding (2011–2015) 1–2 pairs C6
White-tailed Sea-eagle Haliaeetus albicilla LC non-breeding (2011–2015) 4–6 birds C6
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis LC breeding (2011–2015) 22–33 pairs B2, C6
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus LC breeding (2011–2015) 3–4 pairs C6
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus LC breeding (2011–2015) 1,024–1,313 pairs B3
Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinioides LC breeding (2011–2015) 57 pairs B3
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica LC breeding (2011–2015) 995–1,165 pairs C6
A4iii Species group - waterbirds n/a non-breeding (2011–2015) 113,256–225,739 birds A4iii, C4

IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2016. The most recent assessment (2018) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2018 not assessed low medium
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
no unset medium

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Human intrusions and disturbance happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) no or slight decline (<1% over 3 gener­ations) low
Energy production and mining happe­ning now few indivi­duals/small area (<10%) no or slight decline (<1% over 3 gener­ations) low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning Action Result
Whole area (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A compre­hensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species Some limited conservation initiatives are in place medium

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
- Brabantse Biesbosch Nature Conservation Law (-) 28
- Dordtse Biesbosch Nature Reserve (-) 9
- Sliedrechtse Biesbosch Nature Reserve (-) 8
1994 De Biesbosch Nationaal Park (II) 92
1994 De Biesbosch National Park (-) 75
1996 Biesbosch Natuurbeschermingswet (IV) 100

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Wetlands (inland) 45 Standing freshwater; Rivers and streams; Water fringe vegetation
Artificial/Terrestrial 39 Highly improved re-seeded landscapes
Forest 16 Alluvial and very wet forest

Land use

Land use % of IBA
water management 100
hunting 50
nature conservation and research 49
tourism/recreation 35
agriculture 30
fisheries/aquaculture 30
urban/industrial/transport 16
water management 6
other -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Biesbosch (Netherlands). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/biesbosch-iba-netherlands on 23/12/2024.