The Site consists of shallow marine waters, rocky shores and marine subtidal aquatic beds covering approximately a quarter of Lovund Island and the much smaller Alkøya Island. Lundeura is a scree mountain with unique large boulders close to seabird feeding grounds – its steepness provides the protection they need to nest. The Site is internationally important for seabird populations across the North Atlantic Ocean: large colonies of nationally endangered and vulnerable bird species such as the Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica, the black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, the common tern Sterna hirundo and the black guillemot Cepphus grylle breed here. The birds foraging in the ocean spread guano across the nesting cliffs and surrounding area, which provides nutrient-rich growing conditions for the diverse vegetation of the island. The harbour seal Phoca vitulina and the European otter Lutra lutra are occasionally observed. The fishing village of Lovund has a few hundred inhabitants; they use the ocean outside the nature reserve for fishing and aquaculture, and the land within the Site for grazing sheep.