Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
The Nature Reserve covers all of the islands of Nordaustlandet, Kvitøya and Kong Karls Land, as well as the north-east coast of Spitsbergen. Habitats are mainly ice-covered tundra and marsh vegetation; the sea cliffs are the most important habitat for birds.
Uria lomvia breeds in notable numbers on sea cliffs at Alkefjellet (45,000-50,000 birds) and at Wahlbergøya (8,000 birds).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Public access to the islands of Kong Karls Land is prohibited year-round, due to the presence of polar bear
Ursus maritimus.
National High
International Partial1,903,000 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Nordaust-Svalbard, 1,903,000 ha). 1,555,000 ha of IBA covered by Biosphere Reserve (North-east Svalbard, 1,555,000 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Northeast Svalbard Nature Reserve (Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (to Norway)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/northeast-svalbard-nature-reserve-iba-svalbard-and-jan-mayen-islands-(to-norway) on 23/12/2024.
