Gammelstadsviken

Gammelstadsviken nature reserve
Gammelstadsvikens nature reserve
Gammelstadsvikens nature reserve
Gammelstadsvikens nature reserve
Gammelstadsvikens nature reserve
Gammelstadsvikens nature reserve
Gammelstadsvikens nature reserve
Gammelstadsvikens nature reserve, viewing point
Gammelstadsvikens nature reserve

Gammelstadsviken

  • Country: 
    Sweden
  • Site number: 
    27
  • Area: 
    440 ha
  • Designation date: 
    28-06-1974
  • Coordinates: 
    65°37'N 22°04'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

Gammelstadsviken includes a freshwater lake formed when a four-kilometre-long coastal bay was isolated from the sea by land elevation. There are also areas of floating aquatic vegetation and extensive marshes. The Site supports animal populations which are important for maintaining the biological diversity of the Alpine biogeographic region, including rich avian fauna with some 200 species of birds observed in the area and a number of nationally red-listed species. The lake is one of the most species-rich in Sweden, and it is an important site for staging and breeding birds including the nationally important Caspian tern Hydroprogne caspia, northern pintail Anas acuta and garganey Anas querquedula. About 150 species of vascular plants have been noted within the Site, notably Glaux maritima and Deschampsia bottnica. Human activities include recreation and tourism. The main threats to the ecological character of the Site relate to air-borne pollutants from atmospheric emissions and the levels of quicksilver, sulphur and nitrogen. Cessation of mowing and grazing has also resulted in shrubs and trees overtaking the land, which may have led to the disappearance of some bird species. The quality of the lake bed has changed, negatively affecting the water vegetation. Several organizations are engaged in a project entitled “Projekt Guldkant” to enhance the conditions for birds and to increase accessibility and provide more information within the Site.

Administrative region: 
Norrbotten County

  • National legal designation: 
    • Nature reserve - Gammelstadsviken
  • Regional (international) legal designations: 
    • EU Natura 2000
  • Last publication date: 
    27-03-2017

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Additional reports and documents