Chichester and Langstone Harbours (2447)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Chichester and Langstone Harbours
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.8057, Longitude: -0.9388
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 7
Area of KBA (km2): 58.1467
Protected area coverage (%): 99.51
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site covers two harbours joined by a stretch of water that separates Hayling Island from the mainland. Tidal channels drain the river basins and penetrate far inland. Habitats include extensive mudflats and associated saltmarshes, sand-dunes, islands, and areas of Juncus marsh and reedbed (Phragmites). The IBA is important for breeding terns and wintering and passage wildfowl and waders.
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 in 1989; boundary reduced slightly in 2007 to match the SPA. 2000 area, 5970ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 28 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 28 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Marine Neritic | 28 | |
| Forest | 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 |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |