Stodmarsh (2604)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Stodmarsh
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.3103, Longitude: 1.1837
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2 to 15
Area of KBA (km2): 4.81116
Protected area coverage (%): 99.20
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA covers about 6 km of the Stour flood-plain downstream of Canterbury. The site includes flooded gravel-pits, reedbeds (Phragmites) and lagoons, in an area that has undergone colliery subsidence. Margins are well-vegetated with scrub and Alnus carr, which supports a diverse ground flora. Fen communities exist in areas of cut reedbed, with a rich aquatic flora present in some of the dykes. The site supports a wide range of wetland birds including notable populations of breeding and wintering reedbed species.
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; no significant boundary changes since then. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 40 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Shrubland | 20 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Small dams | Only in the future |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |