Bowland Fells (2430)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Bowland Fells
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.9815, Longitude: -2.5158
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 137 to 561
Area of KBA (km2): 803.01625
Protected area coverage (%): 99.86
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Forest of Bowland forms a western outlier to the Pennines, with gentle slopes and level ground on ridges. Fast-flowing streams drain an extensive area of upland moorland and blanket mire, and bracken Pteridium may dominate on lower ground. The IBA supports a typical range of breeding upland birds, and is a breeding stronghold of Circus cyaneus. The site is also important for breeding waders and gulls.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Delineation rationale: First identified as Bowland Fells in 1989; renamed as Forest of Bowland in 2000; renamed Bowland Fells in 2007. AONB boundary used from Countryside Agency; digitised at 1:25,000 scale. Additional area added on 1:50,000 maps.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry | hunting | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Forest | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 25 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Only in the future |