NO045
Lista wetland system


Country/territory: Norway

IBA criteria met: A1, B1i, B2, B3 (2014)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here

Area: 4,770 hectares (47.70 km2)

Norsk Ornitologisk Forening
IBA conservation status
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2016 very poor high medium
For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here


Site description (2000 baseline)
The area consists of a stretch of coastline and five separate wetlands inland. The latter are remnants following extensive drainage during the twentieth century. The coastline at Lista typically consists of stony and sandy beaches and the site includes a large offshore area of shallow sea. The inland wetlands consist of nutrient-rich lakes, marshes and mudflats.

Key biodiversity
A notable staging area for waterbirds both in spring and autumn, e.g. for Calidris alpina (7,000 on passage). Numerous seabirds, birds of prey and passerines also make use of the wetland system during migration. More than 5,000 pairs of waterbird breed in the area, and 5,000-8,000 waterbirds winter there.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lista wetland system (Norway). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lista-wetland-system-iba-norway on 26/12/2024.