Foula (2478)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Foula
Central coordinates: Latitude: 60.1338, Longitude: -2.0785
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 418
Area of KBA (km2): 13.23518
Protected area coverage (%): 99.24
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An island characterized by steep slopes and a cool oceanic climate. Vegetation types include mire and cliff-top communities, with submaritime and montane communities on higher ground. The site holds very large populations of cliff and moorland nesting seabirds.
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; no significant boundary changes since then. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (90%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 | |
| Grassland | 33 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |