Wealden Heaths (2629)
United Kingdom, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Wealden Heaths
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.0882, Longitude: -0.8507
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 37 to 260
Area of KBA (km2): 51.77113
Protected area coverage (%): 99.85
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Extensive heathland fragments located in north-east Hampshire, south-west Surrey and West Sussex, overlying the acidic soils of the Folkstone and Sandgate Beds. The IBA comprises areas of heath, mire and woodland, and supports breeding populations of specialist heathland birds.
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 two IBAs (Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons; Woolmer Forest); combined into Wealden Heaths in 2000, with some additional areas. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale. Additional area added on 1:50,000 maps.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | military | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 25 | |
| Forest | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Grassland | 25 |
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 |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Agro-industry plantations | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |