Dorset Heaths and Forests (2456)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Dorset Heaths and Forests
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.7618, Longitude: -1.9605
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 4 to 92
Area of KBA (km2): 106.12677
Protected area coverage (%): 79.68
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large, fragmented area situated around Poole Harbour and to the west of Wareham, overlying the infertile and acidic Bagshot Beds. The area comprises mainly lowland heathland and mires, with associated woodland and grassland. The IBA holds important populations of specialist heathland birds.
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 as two separate sites (Horton Common and Holt Heath; Poole Basin), which were combined with additional extensions in 1992 to form Dorset Heathlands; renamed in 2000, with further extensions and addition of Ringwood Forest; minor adjustments to boundary in 2007 to remove overlap with Poole Harbour IBA and to ensure all Dorset Heaths and Forests SPA included. 2000 area, 10288ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale. Additional area added on 1:50,000 maps.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 20 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Agro-industry plantations | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | War, civil unrest & military exercises | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |