Thanet Coast and Sandwich Bay (2616)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Thanet Coast and Sandwich Bay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.3073, Longitude: 1.3755
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 15
Area of KBA (km2): 26.09736
Protected area coverage (%): 99.15
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA covers Sandwich Bay and the estuary of the River Stour at Pegwell Bay, incorporating a wide range of habitats including rocky coastline, mudflats and shingle-beaches. The site is important for wintering and passage waders and waterbirds.
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 as Thanet Coast; extended and renamed in 2000; some areas dropped in 2007. 2000 area, 2560ha. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale. Additional area added on 1:50,000 maps.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 | |
| Marine Neritic | 40 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 40 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Small dams | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |