Loch Ken and Dee Marshes (2509)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Loch Ken and Dee Marshes
Central coordinates: Latitude: 54.9937, Longitude: -4.0113
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 48 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 9.56869
Protected area coverage (%): 99.19
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A highly complex system of lochs, swamps, fens, grassland and Salix carr, stretching for about 20 km along the courses of the Rivers Ken and Dee. The site is important for wintering geese.
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; no significant boundary changes since then. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale. Additional area added on 1:50,000 maps.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 85 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |