Benfleet and Southend Marshes (2426)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Benfleet and Southend Marshes
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.5167, Longitude: 0.6667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 46
Area of KBA (km2): 23.81692
Protected area coverage (%): 99.68
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA extends eastwards from Canvey Island along the foreshore to Southend, covering extensive areas of mudflats and saltmarsh. It supports distinct sea-wall and saltmarsh plant communities, in addition to a diverse ditch and grassland flora. The IBA is important for wintering geese and waders, and breeding Panurus biarmicus.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Delineation rationale: First identified in 1989. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale. Additional area added on 1:50,000 maps in 2000.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 45 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 45 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Industrial aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Shipping lanes | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |