Key Biodiversity Areas

Mingulay and Berneray (2540)
United Kingdom, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Mingulay and Berneray
Central coordinates: Latitude: 56.8135, Longitude: -7.6420
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 273
Area of KBA (km2): 9.09098
Protected area coverage (%): 99.30
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Two islands at the southern end of the Outer Hebridean chain, both with sheer cliffs. The vegetation present comprises maritime grassland, machair and heath. Four to five crofters farm the land. These islands are of major importancefor breeding seabirds waterbirds.
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; no significant boundary changes since then. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (100%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Shrubland33
Grassland33
Marine Coastal/Supratidal33

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Climate change & severe weatherHabitat shifting & alterationOngoing