Loch of Strathbeg (2517)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Loch of Strathbeg
Central coordinates: Latitude: 57.6257, Longitude: -1.8880
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 15
Area of KBA (km2): 6.16336
Protected area coverage (%): 99.66
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Loch of Strathbeg is the largest dune-lake in Britain (an area of 200 ha), and is situated inland from Rattray Head, the north-eastern point of the Buchan coast. The IBA also covers surrounding calcareous dunes and dune-slacks. Itis important for wintering wildfowl and waterbirds, and for breeding terns.
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; adjusted to match SPA boundary in 2007. 2000 area, 913ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (15%) | nature conservation and research (95%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 27 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 53 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future |