Hoy (2495)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Hoy
Central coordinates: Latitude: 58.8512, Longitude: -3.3210
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 479
Area of KBA (km2): 115.34975
Protected area coverage (%): 83.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA covers a large part of the high island of Hoy, with Old Red Sandstone cliffs on the west coast reaching 338 m. These include the famous 137 m high rock stack, the Old Man of Hoy. The site includes Orkney's only remaining piece of relict deciduous woodland, and lichen and bryophyte-rich heaths. The site is important for breeding seabirds, raptors and waders.
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; extended in 1992 and again in 2000. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale. Additional area added on 1:50,000 maps.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (65%) | nature conservation and research (35%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 20 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Forest | 20 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |