Key Biodiversity Areas

Mousa (2548)
United Kingdom, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Mousa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 59.9993, Longitude: -1.1753
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 55
Area of KBA (km2): 1.98115
Protected area coverage (%): 99.43
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: A low-lying island with a few freshwater lochs and tidal pools in the south-east corner. Habitat-types present include acidic and maritime grassland and heathland, and areas of marsh that are moderately rich in nutrients.
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
Marine Neritic5
Grassland80
Marine Intertidal5
Marine Coastal/Supratidal5
Shrubland5

Threats


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