Loch of Isbister (2513)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Loch of Isbister
Central coordinates: Latitude: 59.0957, Longitude: -3.3050
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 15 to 20
Area of KBA (km2): 1.48322
Protected area coverage (%): 99.43
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site includes both the nutrient-enriched Loch of Isbister and basin mire separated from the loch by low ridges of glacial till. Open water transitional plant communities and bog habitats support a very rich assemblage of wetland plants. A reedbed (Phragmites) is also present. The IBA is important for both breeding and wintering wildfowl.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Delineation rationale: First identified as Loch of Banks in 1989, but extended to include Loch of Isbister in 1992; no significant boundary changes since then. Digitised onto 1:50,000 scale OS maps.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |