North Norfolk Coast (2556)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: North Norfolk Coast
Central coordinates: Latitude: 52.9742, Longitude: 0.7410
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 78.61505
Protected area coverage (%): 99.88
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site extends for over 40 km from Hunstanton in the west to Salthouse in the east, and includes extensive intertidal sand and mudflats, and some of Europe's best saltmarshes. A diverse saltmarsh flora, extensive reedbeds (Phragmites) and dune systems are present alongside grazing-marshes that hold a rich diversity of aquatic plant species. The site is also of great geomorphological interest. The IBA is important for a variety of breeding species, wintering wildfowl and migrating waders.
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 | fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 5 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 30 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 30 | |
| Marine Neritic | 30 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Only in the future |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future |