Gruinart Flats (2508)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Gruinart Flats
Central coordinates: Latitude: 55.8532, Longitude: -6.3228
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 60
Area of KBA (km2): 32.58725
Protected area coverage (%): 99.81
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA comprises a north-facing sea loch over 5 km in length, and adjacent grassland, heathland, saltmarsh, mudflat and sand-dune habitats. The site is important for wintering waterbirds. Anser albifrons are the flavirostris subspecies, while Branta leucopsis are from the Greenland breeding population.
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 as Loch Gruinart, Islay; renamed in 2007. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (30%) | nature conservation and research (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 13 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 13 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 13 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 13 | |
| Grassland | 13 | |
| Shrubland | 13 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 13 | |
| Forest | 13 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future |