Key Biodiversity Areas

Loch Shin and nearby lochs (2521)
United Kingdom, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Loch Shin and nearby lochs
Central coordinates: Latitude: 58.1085, Longitude: -4.5542
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 94 to 613
Area of KBA (km2): 38.69244
Protected area coverage (%): 0.61
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: One very large, and several smaller, nutrient-poor lochs. The IBA supports a flora and fauna characteristic of upland heaths, mires and lochs.
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 1992; Lairg and Strathbora Lochs split out into separate IBA in 2007, and all of the catchment removed. 2000 area, 48500ha. Digitised onto 1:50,000 scale OS maps.

Habitats


Land use: water management
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)95
Artificial - Terrestrial5

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Energy production & miningRenewable energyOnly in the future