Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A shallow eutrophic lake (Mývatn) with many islands and fed by cold and thermal springs. There are numerous small lakes, pools, bogs and sedge marshes (
Carex,
Eriophorum) in the surrounding area. The Laxá river drains the lake into Skjálfandi bay. `Rocky areas' here are lava. Land-uses include farming, fishing, energy production (hydroelectric and geothermal), mining and tourism.
The site holds 20,000 or more waterbirds on a regular basis. Some duck species˜
Anas penelope,
Aythya fuligula and
Aythya marila˜breed at higher densities than anywhere else in Europe. Other notable birds include diverse breeding waterbirds, raptors and passerines, and, outside the breeding season, moulting
Mergus merganser (365 birds; mean 1975-1989).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The lake is threatened by commercial dredging for diatomite, by power-generation operations, and by urbanization. Fishing and tourism disturb birds and diving waterbirds are also killed in fishing nets. Erosion in the area is excessive. There is a research station at Skútustadir run by the Ministry of Environment.
National High
International High10,200 ha of IBA covered by Conservation Area (Mývatn-Laxá, 440,000 ha). 10,200 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Mývatn-Laxá, 20,000 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Myvatn - Laxa (Iceland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/myvatn--laxa-iba-iceland on 22/12/2024.
