Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A glacial outwash plain formed by the Markarfljót river. Habitats include small marshes of sedge (
Carex,
Eriophorum), sandy areas with rushes
Juncus, and flat areas of glacial outwash gravel that are partly vegetated. The native vegetation cover has been increasing since barriers were built to prevent the Markarfljót river from changing its course. Land-uses include grazing.
Numenius phaeopus occurs at the highest density recorded in Iceland, or possibly in the world (42 pairs/km
2). Not much information on birds is available for the area, but the breeding avifauna includes a good variety of ducks, waders and other waterbirds.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
An introduced and invasive plant (Nootka lupin
Lupinus nootkatensis) has spread over extensive areas and is a big threat.
National None
International None
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Markarfljotsaurar (Iceland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/markarfljotsaurar-iba-iceland on 24/11/2024.
