Trondheimfjord wetland system

Gaulosen, Øyamælen in 2005
Gaulosen
Gaulosen
Gaulosen seen from the East
Gaulosen seen from the East
Vikaleiret
Sea buckthorn
Tynesfjæra
Bjørga
Trondheimsfjorden
Trondheimsfjorden
Trondheimsfjorden
Trondheimsfjorden
Trondheimsfjorden
Trondheimsfjorden
Trondheimsfjorden

Trondheimfjord wetland system

  • Country: 
    Norway
  • Site number: 
    1198
  • Area: 
    1,846 ha
  • Designation date: 
    06-08-2002
  • Coordinates: 
    63°42'N 11°08'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

The Site consists of 13 sub-sites with sheltered intertidal mudflats, salt marshes, permanent shallow marine waters and rocky shores. There are also the two largest river estuaries in the fjord, notably Gaulosenas, one of very few unspoilt large-river estuaries in southern Norway. Both estuaries play an important role in flood regulation. These wetlands support outstanding biodiversity and are of great importance for migratory birds, in particular geese, ducks, waders and wintering seabirds. Nearly the entire Svalbard population of pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) uses the Site as a staging area both in spring and autumn. The nutrient-rich freshwater areas and the numerous islets and skerries in the fjord are the most important areas for breeding species such as the horned grebe (Podiceps auritus) and the great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus). The shallows also comprise important moulting areas for common eiders (Somateria mollissima) and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) during summer months. Ørin, Gaulosen, Vinnan and Velvangen are important spawning grounds for the local fjord population of Atlantic herring (Clupea herengius). The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) also use some of the sub-sites as migratory paths. The sites are used quite often by tourists and residents for bathing, fishing, walking and birdwatching. Trondheimsfjorden (including all sub-sites) is one of ten areas in the national monitoring programme for wintering seabirds and waterfowl. In addition voluntary NGO-based monitoring is ongoing with bird counts and ringing activities.

Administrative region: 
Trøndelag

  • National legal designation: 
    • Bird Sanctuary 1 - Eidsbotn
    • Bird Sanctuary 10 - Lundleiret
    • Bird Sanctuary 2 - Vikanbukta
    • Bird Sanctuary 3 - Vinnan and Velvangen
    • Bird Sanctuary 4 - Falstadbukta
    • Bird Sanctuary 5 - Alnes
    • Bird Sanctuary 6 - Tynesfjæra
    • Bird Sanctuary 8 - Bjørga
    • Bird Sanctuary 9 - Vikaleiret
    • Landscape protection area - Gaulosen
    • Nature Reserve 1 - Gaulosen
    • Nature Reserve 2 - Rinnleiret
    • Nature Reserve 3 - Ørin
  • Regional (international) legal designations: 
    • Other international designation
  • Last publication date: 
    10-05-2023