Key Biodiversity Areas

Nene Washes (2550)
United Kingdom, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Nene Washes
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.5833, Longitude: -0.0533
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2 to 3
Area of KBA (km2): 15.10259
Protected area coverage (%): 99.87
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: The cycle of winter storage of flood-waters and traditional summer cattle-grazing at this site has given rise to a mosaic of rough grassland and wet pasture, with a diverse ditch flora. The IBA supports a variety of breeding ducks and waders, and is important for wintering wildfowl.
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; no significant boundary changes since then. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.

Habitats


Land use: agriculture | hunting | nature conservation and research | water management
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland50
Wetlands(Inland)50

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Natural system modificationsDams & water management/useAbstraction of ground water (agricultural use)Only in the future
PollutionAgricultural & forestry effluentsType Unknown/UnrecordedOngoing
PollutionDomestic & urban waste waterType Unknown/UnrecordedOngoing
Energy production & miningRenewable energyOnly in the future
Residential & commercial developmentHousing & urban areasOnly in the future