Rathlin Island (2581)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Rathlin Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 55.3002, Longitude: -6.2005
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 400
Area of KBA (km2): 14.73
Protected area coverage (%): 99.91
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large island with cliffs and stacks on the north and west shores. Further inland there are wetlands, a limited amount of maritime heath and a mosaic of unimproved and improved grazing. The IBA is important for breeding seabirds.
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. Digitised onto 1:50,000 scale OS maps.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | not utilised | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 25 | |
| Grassland | 25 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |