Handa (2489)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Handa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 58.3808, Longitude: -5.1878
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 123
Area of KBA (km2): 3.67441
Protected area coverage (%): 99.67
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A sandstone island with precipitous cliffs located a short way off the west coast of Sutherland. The vegetation comprises submaritime grass and heathland, with more species-rich maritime heathland on the clifftops. Herb-rich grassland occurs in more sheltered areas. The island is of major importance for breeding 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. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 25 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 25 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Industrial aquaculture | Only in the future |