Key Biodiversity Areas

Salisbury Plain (2683)
United Kingdom, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Salisbury Plain
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.2490, Longitude: -1.8915
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 94 to 212
Area of KBA (km2): 197.31038
Protected area coverage (%): 99.98
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Three large expanses of heathland and grassland with scattered woods, supporting an exceptional chalk grassland flora and fauna. Much of the site is a military training area. As well as the key species, the site also supports large numbers of farmland and grassland passerines.
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 2000; no significant boundary changes since then. SPA boundary used from JNCC; digitised at 1:10,000 scale.

Habitats


Land use: military
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland25
Forest25
Shrubland25
Wetlands(Inland)25

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Agriculture & aquacultureLivestock farming & ranchingSmall-holder grazing, ranching or farmingOngoing
Transportation & service corridorsRoads & railroadsOnly in the future
Residential & commercial developmentHousing & urban areasOnly in the future
Natural system modificationsOther ecosystem modificationsOngoing
Human intrusions & disturbanceWar, civil unrest & military exercisesOngoing
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOngoing