Rousay (2588)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Rousay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 59.1807, Longitude: -3.0963
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 6.3407
Protected area coverage (%): 98.93
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site comprises moorland and hilltop montane communities, and a number of lochs, including the moderately nutrient-rich Muckle Water. The IBA supports an important assemblage of breeding moorland birds.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Delineation rationale: First identified in 1989 as Rousay (Part); boundary adjusted to match SPA in 2007, and site renamed. 2000 area, 2310ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (50%) | nature conservation and research | not utilised (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 33 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 | |
| Shrubland | 33 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |