Severn Estuary (2591)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Severn Estuary
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.5902, Longitude: -2.6777
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 78
Area of KBA (km2): 252.29625
Protected area coverage (%): 99.49
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The estuary is fed by five major rivers (the Severn, Wye, Usk, Parrett and Avon) in addition to other lesser rivers. Classically funnel-shaped, the estuary has the second widest tidal range in the world and is characterized by strong currents, mobile sediments and high turbidity. Large expanses of cord-grass Spartina occur. The site supports internationally important numbers of wintering and passage wildfowl and waders, in addition to important breeding bird populations.
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; small changes to boundary in 1992 and 2000; further changes in 2007, including small additions and the deletion of Cardiff Bay. 2000 area, 59950 included large marine areas incorrectly. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale. Additional area added on 1:50,000 maps.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 40 | |
| Marine Neritic | 40 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Only in the future | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Shipping lanes | Only in the future |