Lea Valley (2504)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Lea Valley
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.6385, Longitude: -0.0227
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 16 to 29
Area of KBA (km2): 17.16622
Protected area coverage (%): 48.89
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A series of wetlands and reservoirs situated along the River Lea, to the north-east of London. A rich aquatic and marginal flora is present in the reservoirs and streams. The IBA is important for several breeding wetland bird species, including a large heronry, wintering wildfowl and late summer moults of Aythya fuligula.
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; extended to include small areas of SPA missing from the IBA in 2007. 2000 area, incorrectly overestimated as 2550ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale. Additional area added on 1:50,000 maps.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | military | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Small dams | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |