Skokholm and Skomer (2594)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Skokholm and Skomer
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.7343, Longitude: -5.2968
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 79
Area of KBA (km2): 4.28096
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: These two islands have a plateau-like form, and are bounded by cliffs reaching 70 m in height on Skomer. Salt spray and nutrient enrichment from seabirds affect the vegetation, which includes maritime grassland and Juncus flushes. The IBA is important for its breeding colonies of seabirds and waterbirds.
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
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 25 |
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 |