Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
A tract of wetland in the tundra-like central highlands, south of the Hofsjökull glacier, with rivers, lakes, ponds, extensive marshes/ mires of sedge (
Eriophorum,
Carex), and flat, eroded gravel areas. Ownership of the highlands has not been resolved, but farmers have grazing rights.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Excessive erosion (`Other' threat) is a problem. Traffic by people in the area is increasing as a result of more roads being constructed in and around the site˜the roads lead to hydroelectric power-stations and to the Kvíslavötn reservoir (which lies partly within the IBA). The national energy authority is planning a reservoir (for hydroelectric power generation) in the southern part of the reserve that would put 62 km
2 of the reserve under water.
National High
International High37,500 ha of IBA covered by Nature Reserve (Thjórsárver, 37,500 ha). 37,500 ha of IBA covered by Ramsar Site (Thjórsárver, 37,500 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Thjorsarver (Iceland). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/thjorsarver-iba-iceland on 27/11/2024.
