Firth of Forth (2472)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Firth of Forth
Central coordinates: Latitude: 56.0193, Longitude: -2.8775
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 30
Area of KBA (km2): 63.17328
Protected area coverage (%): 99.14
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A complex site that stretches for over 100 km from the River Forth at Stirling eastwards past Edinburgh, and along the coasts of Fife and East Lothian before culminating in a wide mouth. The IBA covers large areas of intertidal flats and inshore waters, in addition to saltmarsh and sand-dune systems, maritime grassland, heath and fen. The IBA is important for wintering and passage wildfowl and waders, and for breeding terns.
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 as two sites (Inner Firth of Forth; Outer Firth of Forth); renamed in 1992; extensive marine component removed in 2007, and boundary converged on that of the SPA and Imperial Lock Dock, Leith SPA. 2000 area, 43301ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 40 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Marine Neritic | 40 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Small dams | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Oil spills | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Only in the future |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Only in the future |