Key Biodiversity Areas

Minsmere - Walberswick (2541)
United Kingdom, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Minsmere - Walberswick
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.3022, Longitude: 1.6260
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 21
Area of KBA (km2): 22.20349
Protected area coverage (%): 99.98
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The IBA covers a complex of habitats, including one of the largest intact reedbeds (Phragmites) in the UK. The site also includes the tidal Blyth estuary, and areas of brackish lagoon, lowland heathland and woodland. The site supports a rich diversity of breeding, wintering and passage species, and is noted for breeding Recurvirostra avosetta.
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; extended southwards in 2007. 2000 area, 2190ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale. Additional area added on 1:25,000.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Marine Intertidal19
Marine Neritic19
Marine Coastal/Supratidal19
Grassland5
Shrubland19
Forest19

Threats

Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Natural system modificationsDams & water management/useSmall damsOngoing
PollutionAgricultural & forestry effluentsNutrient loadsOngoing
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOngoing
Natural system modificationsOther ecosystem modificationsOngoing
Climate change & severe weatherHabitat shifting & alterationOngoing