Key Biodiversity Areas

Hornsea Mere (2493)
United Kingdom, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Hornsea Mere
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.9038, Longitude: -0.1953
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 10 to 20
Area of KBA (km2): 2.3234
Protected area coverage (%): 99.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Hornsea Mere lies immediately inland of Hornsea on the Humberside coast. The lake is only 1-2 m deep and is the only remaining glacial lake in east Yorkshire. It provides a classic example of wetland succession from open water to reedbed (Phragmites) to species-rich fen and Alnus carr. The IBA supports a wide range of breeding and wintering wetland birds.
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: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | water management
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Forest50
Wetlands(Inland)50

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Natural system modificationsDams & water management/useAbstraction of surface water (agricultural use)Only in the future
PollutionAgricultural & forestry effluentsNutrient loadsOngoing
PollutionDomestic & urban waste waterSewageOngoing
Energy production & miningRenewable energyOnly in the future
Natural system modificationsOther ecosystem modificationsOngoing