Lough Ree (651)
Ireland, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Lough Ree
Central coordinates: Latitude: 53.5333, Longitude: -7.9500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 38 to 38
Area of KBA (km2): 106.88096
Protected area coverage (%): 98.73
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lough Ree is the third-largest lake in Ireland, and is situated on the River Shannon system between Lanesborough and Athlone. The shoreline, with many indented bays, has extensive reedbeds, callow and lowland wet grassland. Land-uses include low-intensity grazing on the grasslands, angling and other recreational uses.
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.
Additional biodiversity: This site was designated a Special Protection Area on the basis of its migratory waterfowl, with nationally important numbers of Tachybaptus ruficollis (145 birds, 1985), Anas penelope (1,306 birds, 1985), Anas crecca (584 birds, 1985), Aythya fuligula (1,317 birds, 1985) and Fulica atra (798 birds, 1985). This is also one of only three regular breeding sites in Ireland for Melanitta nigra (37 birds, 1995).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | hunting (50%) | tourism/recreation (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 90 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The lake is threatened by nutrient pollution, with organic enrichment coming from agricultural and probably domestic sources. There is increasing pressure on the lake, from leisure developments, such as lakeshore holiday homes, marinas and hotels as well as cruiser traffic. The site lies within a proposed candidate Special Area for Conservation (Lough Ree; area not known).