Key Biodiversity Areas

Isles of Scilly (2499)
United Kingdom, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Isles of Scilly
Central coordinates: Latitude: 49.9623, Longitude: -6.3458
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 47
Area of KBA (km2): 5.64075
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The Isles of Scilly comprise over 200 low-lying granitic islands and rocks, situated 28 miles to the south-west of Land's End. The habitats here are subject to extreme maritime influences. The flora includes a number of Mediterranean and West European species not found elsewhere in Britain. These islands are of prime importance for breeding seabirds and some wintering wader species.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Delineation rationale: First identified in 1989 as Isles of Scilly Coastal Habitats; renamed in 2007 and missing parts of SPA added. Note, the IBA boundary in 2007 includes areas that are not SPA. Area in 2000, 926ha - incorrect estimation. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale. Additional area added on 1:50,000 maps.

Habitats

Land use: tourism/recreation
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Marine Neritic28
Marine Coastal/Supratidal28
Shrubland5
Marine Intertidal28
Grassland5
Wetlands(Inland)5

Threats

Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesInvasive non-native/alien species/diseasesUnspecified speciesOngoing
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOngoing