Natural England

England’s best sites for wildlife are improving at a record-breaking rate under Natural England’s conservation management.

At the end of March, 82.7% of land designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)* in England was judged to be in a ‘favourable or recovering condition’.

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England, said “The prospects are looking good for England's most important wildlife sites. This year, we have restored 8,000 hectares of upland peatbog in the Peak District, providing important habitat for threatened species such as Mountain hare and Golden plover, whilst also creating carbon and water storage; improved 15,000 ha of inter-tidal mudflat and saltmarsh supporting internationally important migrant populations of wildfowl and waders, and enhanced 4,000ha of the lowland heath, vital to all species of British reptiles and many rare plants.

"As a result of this year’s progress, more than 78,800 hectares of our most important habitats are now under favourable or recovering condition. Natural England could not have achieved this outcome without the hard work of many land managers and our other partners, and I congratulate them for that."

However, Sir Martin warned, “Whilst the natural environment is stabilising within designated sites, the same cannot be said for the wider environment. Early indications from our forthcoming State of the Natural Environment report show that the unprotected environment is not well equipped to deal with the threat of climate change, development, agricultural changes and other pressures - more has to be done to prepare and adapt to these issues."

Case studies

Some of the sites that have been brought into recovery this year and the habitats and species that have benefited are:

• In Yorkshire and the Humber – 13,000Ha of land in the Yorkshire Dales area have been improved by a suite of new Higher Level Stewardship agreements and using HLS to replace expiring classic schemes. The Yorkshire Dales is a landscape loved by residents and visitors alike. Land management has helped to maintain not only on the wide expanse of the moorland but also the area’s heritage by supporting traditional land management practices like dry stone walling. Agreements have targeted national Biodiversity Action Plan habitats like blanket bog, upland dry heath, limestone grassland (including upland hay meadows), upland woodland and fen creation. Species such as black grouse, lapwing, redshank, snipe and curlew have all benefited from suitable management of grazing and burning; it is expected that numbers will have increased.
• In the East Midlands and East of England - over 15,000ha of the Wash SSSI have been improved through the agreement of a sustainable fishing policy with Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee. Here, the inter-tidal mudflat and saltmarsh support internationally important migrant populations of wildfowl and waders.
• In the South West - In the South West - Around 100ha of Minchinhampton Common near Stroud in Gloucestershire, have been improved through partnership work with the Committee of Commoners and the National Trust, using Higher Level Stewardship (HLS). This site is important for lowland limestone grassland. It is a BAP priority habitat, important for its geological interest, particularly fossils. It is also home to a variety of important BAP species such as the Duke of Burgundy and Small blue butterflies, juniper and as a hibernacula for over-wintering Greater Horseshoe Bats.
• In the South-East - 4,000ha of the New Forest have been improved through agreeing the long-term management of the site with the National Park, Forestry Commission and land managers. The site supports all 6 native British reptiles (some of which are BAP species), 9 nationally rare plants and is considered one of the best sites in England for dragonflies
• In the North East - Around 3,600ha of Bowes Moor in County Durham have been improved through an HLS agreement with shooting and grazing interests on the moor. This site has extensive tracts of blanket bog and upland heathland, both BAP priority habitats, supporting populations of breeding birds such as golden plover, curlew, snipe, lapwing, merlin and short-eared owl. Improved management of peat bogs like this also helps prevent soil erosion and maintain carbon balance, a factor affecting climate change.
• In East Midlands - 8,000ha of upland moorland have been brought into recovery through our work with Water Companies, National Trust, Peak District National Park and the Environment Agency. Our work on SSSIs here is also delivering a restored National Park landscape, a more enjoyable and interesting experience for millions of people, better water quality, improved carbon storage and potentially better regulation of future flood events.

Some of the Biodiversity Action Plan species which benefit from being on SSSIs include:

• High Brown Fritillery
• Sand Lizard
• Greater Horseshoe Bat
• Stone Curlew
• Yellow Marsh Saxifrage
• Lady Slipper Orchid
• Shoredock
• Glaucus Beard Moss
• Baltic Bog Moss

Notes for editors:

For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk

1. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.
2. Natural England is responsible for the protection and management of these special designated areas - which enhance and enrich biodiversity, provide recreational opportunities and can help to counter the impact of climate change. SSSIs cover 1 million hectares of land in England and support an enormous range of habitats and species, many of which are endangered and listed under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). As a result of this year’s progress, more than 78,800 hectares of England’s most important wildlife sites are now under favourable or recovering condition. This outcome reflects a tremendous contribution by our many partners
3. *SSSIs are a key indicators of national progress in securing a healthy natural environment . For further information about SSSIs, please visit www.english-nature.org.uk/Special/sssi/index.cfm
4. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 gives Natural England powers to ensure better protection and management of SSSIs and safeguard their existence into the future. The Government's Public Service Agreement target is for 95% of SSSI land to be in 'favourable' or 'recovering' condition by 2010
5. In the period between 1st April 2007 and 31st March 2008, there was a net increase of 78,800ha of SSSI land in target condition, which took the proportion of SSSIs area in target condition from 75.4% to 82.7%. This significantly exceeds annual increases previously achieved (the target was established in 2000) – these have typically been in the region of ca. 50,000ha per year. (The first national assessment of SSSI condition was in March 2003 - that is the baseline. At that point, 57% of SSSI were in target condition.)
6. Natural England staff in Area Teams forge and develop partnerships to bring SSSIs into recovery, working with the ca. 26,000 land managers of SSSIs and our delivery partners such as the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission. Our role is to ensure SSSIs are properly protected and where appropriate enhanced by providing advice on their status and management needs, including offering land management incentives such as through the Environmental Stewardship Higher Level Scheme (HLS).
7. This year, through encouraging new HLS applications from land managers that could offer the greatest benefits we have agreed improved management on over 38,000ha of SSSI land with land managers. By maximising the use of HLS (which draws on EU-co-funding) as opposed to 100% exchequer funded schemes, Natural England also delivered savings to the UK tax-payer.
8. Not all SSSIs are accessible. Some of the best ones can be found on Spotlight National Nature Reserves. For information please see www.natureonthemap.org.uk/