Lewis Peatlands (2506)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Lewis Peatlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: 58.2732, Longitude: -6.5363
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 50 to 397
Area of KBA (km2): 589.26741
Protected area coverage (%): 99.91
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: These peatlands cover the greater part of the island, and are interspersed with freshwater lochs and complexes of bog pools. The area is important for breeding waders, divers and raptors, and nationally for Crex crex.
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; boundary adjusted to match the SPA in 2007. 2000 area, 64000ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 85 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future |