England's National Parks Beacons for Biodiversity

England’s National Parks Beacons for Biodiversity

England's National Parks marking the International Year of Biodiversity 2010

EXIT HOME CONTENTS NEXT Contents England’s National Parks - Beacons for Biodiversity 1 The Status of Biodiversity in England's National Parks 2

The Work of National Park Authorities: Valuing, Safeguarding and Enhancing Biodiversity 4

Making a difference 4 Partnerships for wildlife 4 Facing the challenges 5 Working with people and nature 6

Conserving and enhancing wildlife habitats 8

Working at a landscape scale 10

Conserving and protecting species 12

Tackling invasive species 14

The Future 16

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HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS England’s National Parks - Beacons for Biodiversity

The 10 National Parks in England † cover more than Some biodiversity facts and figures: 12,000 sq km, 9.3% of England's land area, and • 27% of land in England designated as Sites of Special represent England’s most special landscapes. National Scientific Interest (SSSI) is found in National Parks* Parks in England are designated to achieve the following purposes: • Over 23% of all land in England’s National Parks is designated as SSSI, totalling 285,787 ha • To conserve and enhance natural beauty, wildlife and • The largest inland SSSI in England is in the North York cultural heritage; and Moors National Park (44,167 ha) • To provide opportunities for the understanding and • 55% of the New Forest National Park is protected by enjoyment of the National Parks’ special qualities by nature conservation designations the public. • Northumberland National Park contains the only 4 rivers in England achieving the highest standard of water English National Parks support rich and diverse habitats quality and wildlife. They were designated, in part, for this very • Around 8,000 ha of National Nature Reserves are found reason. within England's National Parks • England’s National Parks contain over 330,000 ha designated as being of international importance - Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas, and Ramsar sites • In addition, National Parks contain significant areas that are important for wildlife but have no legal protection. 28% of nationally important semi-natural habitats found in National Parks have no designation*. †Use of the term National Parks throughout includes reference to the Broads, which has equivalent status. * These figures do not include the South Downs National Park, designated in 2009

HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS The Status of Biodiversity in England's National Parks

Over the past 50 years National Parks, like the wider English Much has been achieved in recent years to enhance the countryside, have been subject to pressure for land use condition of designated wildlife sites in the National Parks, change and intensification. Despite this they still contain a and 96% of all Sites of Special Scientific Interest in significant proportion of England's semi-natural habitats England's National Parks were assessed by Natural England many of which are now recognised as being of national or as being in favourable or recovering condition in October international importance. National Parks contain, on 2010. Many of these changes have resulted from close average, 27% of England Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) working between National Park Authorities, Natural England priority habitats. and other partners, encouraging farmers and land managers to take advantage of the funding available through the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) cover a high Environmental Stewardship schemes and other sources. proportion of England's National Parks and their protection is of the highest priority. Natural England is the lead agency The maps opposite show the concentration of designated for monitoring SSSI condition and their figures show that wildlife sites in National Parks. Special Protection Areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest outside National Parks are Special Areas of Conservation are designated for their 5 times more likely to be lost or damaged than those within importance for birds and habitats respectively at a National Parks. European level.

HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS National Parks and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

National Parks, Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) Legend England Scotland and Wales National Parks

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Legend England Scotland and Wales National Parks

Special Areas of Conservation

Special Protection Areas See London Inset

London Inset

See London Inset (c) Crown Copyright Source: National Parks; All rights reserved Countryside Agency, Defra 100018880 2010 SSSIs: Natural England Rural Statistics Unit Room 311, Foss House, York 0420Miles080 London Inset Tel : 01904 455251 [email protected]

(c) Crown Copyright Source: National Parks; All rights reserved Countryside Agency, Defra 100018880 2010 SPAs and SACs: Natural England Rural Statistics Unit Room 311, Foss House, York 0420Miles080 Tel : 01904 455251 [email protected]

HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS The Work of National Park Authorities: Valuing, Safeguarding and Enhancing Biodiversity

Making a difference • Establish a focal point for wildlife conservation activity through the National Park Management Plans, associated In 2010, the Government worked with the English National strategies and business plans. Park Authorities Association to develop a joint 2030 Vision for England’s National Parks 1. The Vision states that by • In most cases provide a lead role in coordinating and 2030 the English National Parks and the Broads will be implementing the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. places where: • Provide test beds for innovative approaches, seeking ways in which conservation can deliver wider benefits for “Wildlife flourishes and habitats are communities. maintained, restored and expanded and • Make a significant contribution to the implementation of linked effectively to other ecological the EU Water Framework Directive in the many special networks” river and wetland catchments in National Parks. • Actively support the maintenance and restoration of National Park Authorities (NPAs) have an excellent track 449,000 ha of peat soils and 143,300 ha of woodland in record of working to make wildlife conservation happen on National Parks, locking up major quantities of carbon. the ground. Some of the first land management agreements in the country were set up in National Parks in the early Partnerships for wildlife 1980s. Currently activity ranges from small scale grant aid for habitat improvements to the delivery of major wildlife National Park Authorities have traditionally played a key role enhancement projects. in bringing partners together to deliver conservation actions and in providing strong local leadership. Conserving and The National Park Authorities: enhancing biodiversity on a large scale requires partnership working that engages national, regional and local • Ensure that biodiversity considerations are fully reflected organisations and communities working closely with land in planning policy and decisions on development managers and owners. Increasingly such partnerships in proposals.

1Defra (2010) English National Parks and the Broads UK Government Vision and Circular 2010 4

HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS the National Parks are achieving landscape scale changes The Making Space for Nature 2 review of England’s wildlife aimed at significant environmental gains and climate change sites and ecological network identified National Parks adaptation. Considerable value is often added to such (together with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) as places projects by drawing on a wide range of funding sources. that have a significant contribution to make in ensuring that large areas of high quality habitat will exist for wildlife in the Facing the challenges future. The recommendations of the report highlight the importance of achieving favourable condition for SSSIs in the The pressures that have caused biodiversity in the UK to National Parks, as well bringing non-SSSI semi-natural decline over the past decades have not gone away. The finite habitat under good management and managing other land to land that we have must provide us with places to live; food to enhance ecological connectivity. eat; clean air and water; space for recreation; and a whole host of other services. We now recognise that a richness and The chapters that follow describe the work that National Park diversity of habitats and species is essential to underpin the Authorities are undertaking in a number of key areas. The natural processes that provide these benefits. With a limited case studies included provide just a flavour of the wide range amount of land available, it is imperative to find ways to of activity that is taking place in all of England’s National maintain and enhance biodiversity that will bring maximum Parks, and you can find many more case studies and further benefits to society as well as to wildlife. information at www.nationalparks.gov.uk/biodiversity

The future holds many challenges, not least a changing The final chapter looks to the future and considers the role climate. While some trends have already been observed, such that National Parks will play in helping to halt the decline in as species shifting their range northwards, we cannot predict biodiversity, and supporting its restoration. with certainty how species and habitats will react to climate change. What we can do is to make it as easy as possible for species to adapt, by providing a network of well connected habitats that allow for change and movement.

2J.S.Lawton et al (2010) Making Space for Nature: a review of England’s wildlife sites and ecological network. Report to Defra. 5

HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS Working with people and nature

CASE STUDY

National Parks are places where people come into contact with wildlife. There are well over 50 million visits to National Parks every year. This means they provide a significant opportunity for conveying messages to the public about human The Parish Wildlife Project is intended to assist wildlife community project in the National interaction with the natural environment. A major strength of the English National communities in identifying how they can Park. Work to date has involved the Parks is their integrated statutory purposes. They are able to provide a strong contribute to the conservation of habitats and restoration of hedgerows, the planting of over focus for wildlife conservation and deliver the wider social and economic benefits species within their local areas. The majority 450 metres of native species hedgerow, scrub that accrue from a high quality environment. of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is creation and grassland management, the privately owned, and actions to benefit provision of bird and bat boxes and the habitats and species currently tend to come management of young woodland. Further through working with landowners and groups and projects are being developed with managers on agri-environment schemes. This wetland management and creation being a can mean that communities have little direct key theme. A wide range of people have taken involvement. part including local schools and youth organisations. The Parish Wildlife Project is a Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority initiative developed to encourage and support local people and interested individuals and groups in identifying, developing and managing local wildlife projects. Across the National Park local community groups will be developing and managing habitats, probably on a small scale, and taking a hands-on approach to biodiversity issues on their doorstep.

So far two groups have enthusiastically taken part in the development of the project helping to identify the issues involved in running a Local students planting a hedge

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The Seeding Change Project was set up to try The project has now been completed and has to increase the number of species-rich upland met (or exceeded) all of its targets. hay meadows in the Northumberland National • 21 fields treated with seed (60 ha). Park. The project involved collecting wildflower seed from local species-rich hay fields and • 7 fields planted (2,000 plants). applying it to other fields that were less diverse. • 9,000 wildflowers grown and planted – all Plants grown on from native seed were used to planted by volunteers and trainees. diversify other meadows and grassland areas throughout the National Park. Local people, • 12 school grounds given plants and seed. schools and communities all helped in the • In total nearly 7,000 people have benefitted work, assisting in surveying, growing and through practical projects, school visits, spreading seed as well as learning more about walks, talks and training days. wildflowers through guided walks, talks and events. Local businesses have benefited through collecting seed, growing plants and Volunteers collecting native seed from an hosting talks and events. upland hay meadow

CASE STUDY

This project started under the name ‘Aren’t about New Forest birds and reptiles. The project Birds Brilliant’ in 2007, and is a partnership has provided people with important behavioural between New Forest National Park Authority, messages to conserve ground-nesting birds the RSPB, Forestry Commission, and Carnyx within the Forest. Wild. It has established an exciting visual and The project has run for four seasons and is now interpretive experience of New Forest birds of called ‘A Date with Nature’. Over 17,000 people prey. A viewing station, at the New Forest had a date with New Forest wildlife in 2010, Reptile Centre, was set up to show live images and many more followed the story of the from the nests of hobby and goshawks in the goshawk, hobby and nightjar on-line. A new forest and to highlight the plight of ground- nature area and family self-guided trail have nesting birds. The viewing station is staffed by proved popular, and the project has involved knowledgeable people who are able to explain volunteers in meeting the public and sharing events taking place on camera. their enthusiasm for the wildlife of the New In 2008 participation was increased by creating Forest. a covered interpretive entrance and developing an education programme for school groups Bioblitz event with local schoolchildren

EXIT HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS Conserving and enhancing wildlife CASE STUDY habitats The principal aim of this project was to bring In another project specifically focussed on species-rich grasslands in the North York Moors cornfield flowers, the National Park Authority back into appropriate management. The project and its partners are working with farmers to aimed to encourage the re-introduction of increase understanding about the decline of the grazing stock (restoring field boundaries where wild flowers of arable fields and to safeguard From upland moors to lowland heath, from high sea cliffs to sandy shores, and from necessary) and enable hay-making where their future. A series of events with the Farming large, deep lakes to wide broads, the National Parks in England contain a range of feasible. At least as important as appropriate & Wildlife Advisory Group and Campaign for the unique and valuable habitats. The England Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) identifies management has been to explain to land Farmed Environment are promoting various managers the value of their species-rich measures that farmers can take voluntarily and a series of priority habitats that have particular value for nature conservation. Many grasslands in order that they manage them as with the help of agri-environment schemes. of these priority habitats occur in National Parks; for example, 86% of all lowland an asset - for tourism, within agri-environment Also, a working cornfield and several farmers’ raised bog and over 72% of all upland calcareous grassland in England is found in schemes and as a supply of local seed for fields are serving as demonstrations to enable National Parks. restoration projects. The project also sought to local communities and the general public, as Grasslands, peatlands and bogs, and woodlands all have an important part to play in expand the habitat resource, through grassland well as farmers, to understand the value of this mitigating the effects of climate change by locking up carbon. In England, peat soils in the creation which buffers and extends existing habitat for the most threatened group of plants National Parks store 119Mt of carbon – equivalent to the entire emissions of carbon dioxide species-rich grasslands. This helps make in Britain today. in England in one year. All National Park Authorities are committed to safeguarding carbon grassland habitats more robust and increases stores by maintaining and restoring habitats and are behind many practical initiatives on their resilience to local changes. the ground. National Park Authorities are working with partners to help conserve and enhance important habitats with a focus on: • Ensuring that designated habitats are in favourable condition to conserve their biodiversity. • Extending and linking habitats to enable key wildlife species to grow in numbers, extend their occurrence and migrate in response to climate change. • Seeking to ensure that farmers, land managers and others who support biodiversity conservation are supported financially and through good information and advice.

Sharp-leaved fluellen Venus’s looking-glass

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Fens are waterlogged areas of land dominated Climate change represents one of the biggest National Park Authority (NPA) ecologists by reeds, rushes and sedges, and they form a threats to the natural environment, and worked with estate staff, agricultural tenants, complicated system of plant and animal urgent action is required to adapt existing contractors and Natural England to ensure that communities. The Broads fens support a landscapes and make them more resilient SSSI land owned and managed by the NPA diversity of plant and animal species with over and adaptable to change. This can be achieved a target of favourable condition over 440 different plant species present, many of achieved by increasing the quality and size of at least 95% of its area. Survey work was which cannot be found anywhere else in habitats, making them bigger and better- undertaken on the NPA estates to inform the lowland Britain. The fen orchid and crested connected. This project is of key strategic production of Moorland Management Plans buckler fern are two rare examples. importance in the long-term conservation of and agri-environment scheme applications. the wildlife and landscape of the Broads. The The Broads Authority has been leading on a Working closely with local Natural England benefits of the project extend beyond the novel fen creation project which has the representatives and estate wardens, NPA simple boundaries of the site, and the fen support of three landowners to commercially ecology staff have produced Moorland creation at South Fen and Tonnage Bridge manage this wetland. The project is wetting Management Plans for three of the four main Marshes is significant for climate change up deep peat and creating 55 hectares of estates and two are now in Higher Level adaptation in the Broads. The project will also rare species-rich fen from existing grazing Stewardship with a third in the process of improve public access, and increase the marsh on South Fen and Tonnage Bridge being entered. The fourth estate is soon to be amount of carbon stored within the peat soils. Marshes, adjacent to the River Ant in the managed in partnership with the National Trust Grip blocking on the Roaches estate and the RSPB. Northern Broads.

Work has included restoring the hydrological integrity of the moorlands, making them a more effective carbon sink and providing water protection in the wider catchment. This has involved blocking moorland ditches using a variety of techniques aimed at re-wetting blanket bog to encourage the spread of sphagnum and to provide habitat and feeding areas for important moorland birds as well as the creation of many feeding scrapes. Grazing with Belted Galloways on the Highland cattle have been introduced to graze Warslow estate upland heathland in order to reduce the dominance of purple moor-grass and diversify in 2004/05, appear to be have been very the heathland habitats. Burning and cutting successful. In addition, the moorland plans regimes have been revised to diversify the age also include enhancing and diversifying a wide structure of heather and aid grazing range of other important habitats. For management by sheep. example, wildflower seed has been collected from species-rich hay meadows on the North Monitoring on the Eastern Moors estate shows Lees estate to spread on fields of less interest that experimental techniques to restore grass in order to increase biodiversity. moor to heather, carried out over a large area Sutton Fen in the Broads: a habitat rich in species

HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS Working at a landscape scale CASE STUDY

Dartmoor has about 800 known areas of wet creating, extending and linking up habitat to woodland, but altogether these account for benefit wildlife. These valleys contain mosaics less than 5% of all woodland in the National of habitat including ancient woodland, and Park. Most sites are tiny, some as little as a are often home to endangered butterfly quarter of an acre in size. Dartmoor’s wet species. The approach taken enables the woodlands are home to characteristic wildlife project to ensure that one habitat is not including otters, specialist invertebrates and created at the expense of another, and the Many of the existing wildlife designations in England currently consist of plants including royal fern and declining birds project partners are working closely with the such as willow tits. Wet woodland is a UK BAP Two Moors Threatened Butterfly Project to very small sites, which can limit their effectiveness in conserving habitats priority habitat because of losses in its extent. safeguard important areas for butterflies. and species. With their large land areas, National Parks and AONBs naturally There are also water management benefits, lend themselves to approaches that encompass whole landscapes in order The Wet Woodland Project takes a landscape as increasing wet woodland aids water approach, aiming to raise awareness of the to maximise the conservation benefits achieved. It is now widely recognised retention and slows the speed of flows. that landscape scale approaches provide some of the best opportunities for importance of wet woodland, and identify and looking after the ‘ecosystem services’ that the natural environment facilitate opportunities for enhancement using Advice is provided to farmers and landowners provides, such as clean air and water; carbon sequestration and storage; volunteers and through agri-environment to communicate the importance of wet scheme agreements. Valley systems including woodland and assist them in accessing pollination for food crops; as well as mental and physical health and a sense wet woodland are targeted, with a view to funding for improvement works. of place. The recent international study The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) found that ‘habitat services’, providing and maintaining the living space and diversity of plants and animals, underpin almost all other ecosystem services. The peatland restoration projects that are taking place in many National Parks show how working at a landscape scale can bring a range of benefits over a wide area. Peatland restoration not only benefits species and habitats; it can also enable the storage of more carbon from the atmosphere, reduce flood risk and improve water quality, reduce the risk of wildfires, improve access for recreation, and protect archaeological features. National Park Authorities are ideally placed to coordinate projects and partnerships that integrate nature conservation with other important land uses such as agriculture, recreation, and education. This is not always a straightforward task, but the end result can be better landscapes for wildlife and for people.

Volunteers erecting a willow tit nest box

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The Bassenthwaite catchment covers almost a becoming one of the first pilots for the addressed the management of the surrounding quarter of the Lake District and is home to Catchment Sensitive Farming initiative, which fields, fells and woodlands, using the water in more than 7,000 people. Despite being a was subsequently extended to other areas. the lake as an indicator of the health of the National Nature Reserve and home to a wealth BLRP comprises a number of sub-groups surrounding landscape. By enhancing the skills of wildlife (including ospreys) water quality in working on different issues including science, and knowledge of local people, the scheme Bassenthwaite Lake has been damaged over river corridors, invasive species, and woodlands. encouraged the ongoing and sustainable involvement of communities and land managers time by nutrient enrichment and silt. As part of BLRP, Heritage Lottery Funding was across the catchment area. An evaluation in Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration Programme secured for Bassenthwaite Reflections, a June 2010 found that the scheme to date was (BLRP), a partnership project, was established partnership programme of 30 environmental achieving its aim of promoting a philosophy of to co-ordinate management that promotes projects. Each project provided an opportunity environmental responsibility, and several of the restoration of the Lake. The partners are: for participants to understand and learn about projects had made the catchment more Environment Agency, Lake District National the value of the lake and its surrounding accessible and resilient for the future. Park, Natural England, Forestry Commission, environment, as well as contributing to the The National Trust, Cumbria Tourism, United preservation, restoration and protection of the The approach taken at Bassenthwaite Lake has Utilities, and Cumbria County Council. BLRP’s ecology and important natural habitats.The now been extended to the Windermere high profile nationally contributed to it Bassenthwaite Reflections projects have catchment. Bassenthwaite Lake

CASE STUDY

The Trinity Broads is a wild wetland of focuses on restoring the Trinity Broads to clear, • Habitat - A landscape that is comprised of The Trinity Broads Restoration project has interconnected shallow lakes, dykes, open fen, species-diverse lakes. This has been done by a interconnecting shallow lakes, dykes, open recently won both a Waterways Renaissance reedbeds and wet woodland near Great variety of techniques over the years, initially by fen and wet woodland supporting a diversity Award and the East of England UK Landscape Yarmouth in Norfolk. This restoration project selective fish removal to restore clear water, of plants and animals. Award. The project has demonstrated the real subsequently by restoring marginal reedbeds, and benefits that can be achieved using a landscape • Recreation - A place where people come to more recently through catchment management to scale approach, in this case tackling catchment enjoy the quiet recreation of the area, reduce diffuse pollution. In the future, sediment management issues to bring about a significant exploring the water by boat and enjoying removal will also be carried out. change in water quality. The now clear waters of views of the broads from hides and Ormesby Broad attract such BAP priority species The project has a five year management plan walkways. as water voles, otters and bitterns. The project with a wide ranging vision: • Local Community - Local ownership of the partners engaged with landowners to establish • Water quality - Clear, low nutrient water in site is appreciated through the involvement common aims, and the Trinity Broads the Trinity Broads that supports diverse of local people in management issues, experience has been used as a model at communities of aquatic wildlife and provides practical conservation work, events and regional catchment sensitive farming meetings. a public supply of high quality drinking water. school projects. Trinity Broads and catchment

HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS Conserving and protecting species CASE STUDY

This was a challenging research project individual travelled as far as 20km to its favored completed in 2010, looking at the distribution, feeding ground. They preferred to feed over numbers and feeding habits of the rare riverside and broad-leaved woodland, species- barbastelle bat on Dartmoor. The research was rich grassland and hedgerows. During the the product of a partnership between Dartmoor project the first ever recorded Bechstein’s bat There are many rare species in England's National Parks, including many National Park Authority, the Woodland Trust, for the National Park was also discovered in the animals and plants that have been identified as key species meriting special and the National Trust. The barbastelle bat is a Dart Valley. Both of these two bat species roost attention for their conservation in the England Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). UK BAP priority species, and there are thought under peeling bark and in splits and holes in For example, 91% of all butterfly species identified in the England BAP are to be only 5,000 in the UK. This is one of only damaged and dead trees. found in National Parks. three research projects carried out in the UK to Dartmoor National Park Authority is hoping to date looking specifically at this species, and Pressures of changing land use and climate mean that some species are under threat follow up this work with practical conservation has added significantly to understanding of its and require special effort to halt their decline; and to increase their numbers and action to secure the future for these bats. As a ecology and distribution. spread. top predator, barbastelles are at the head of During the project, 19 barbastelles were the food chain and depend on a well connected To help conserve the key species in their areas, National Park Authorities are working tracked and two new breeding colonies were healthy landscape. Thus conservation with partners to: discovered in the Bovey and Dart Valleys. The measures to benefit the barbastelle could • Record and monitor the species that occur in the National Parks and the changes in research found that the bats mostly foraged potentially benefit a whole range of other their populations. within 8km of their roosting area, although one species and habitats. • Implement Biodiversity Action Plans identifying key species and habitats as a focus for conservation effort. • Work with landowners and land managers to put in place conservation management programmes to help halt species decline. • Encourage and involve volunteers in helping to survey wildlife species and undertake practical management work.

Barbastelle bat

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Since the 1950s, the Barn owl population has since 2004 many have taken part in the suffered from the loss of hedgerows, trees and Coquet Valley, Redesdale, Breamish Valley and small woodlands and the trend for turning old along the Hadrian’s Wall corridor. Working with barns into houses. With the disappearance of National Park rangers, volunteers survey these roost sites and rough grassland habitats, hunting grounds, install owl boxes and monitor Barn owl numbers crashed, reaching an all- populations. Local experts, who are licensed to time low in the late 1990s. This project aims to handle Barn owls, count the chicks and ring the tackle the decline in Barn owls in birds. Northumberland by providing suitable nest sites 62 boxes have been erected and 180 chicks on farms in the National Park. ringed in the last 4 years. The importance of High quality nesting boxes are constructed by a this project was highlighted during the harsh local contractor and positioned in habitats that winter 2009/10 when 110 Barn owls were provide sufficient space to feed and raise a found dead in the National Park. Despite these family of chicks, and in an area that offers losses breeding success in the boxes remained additional roosting sites. Farmers and high in 2010. Barn owl leaving a nest box landowners are essential to this project and

CASE STUDY

The freshwater pearl mussel is one of the restore the mussel population. The project also A demonstration farm has been set up to show longest-lived invertebrates known, and can live aims to increase populations of salmon and good environmental practice, and the benefits for more than 100 years. It was formerly trout that host part of the mussels’ complex of this to the river ecology. Fencing has been widespread and abundant, but its numbers and unusual life-cycle. provided to prevent livestock causing bankside have severely declined with many former erosion, together with alternative stock watering populations now extinct. The pearl mussels in points. Vegetated buffer zones have been the River Esk are the last surviving populations created to minimise sediment and pollutants in Yorkshire, but with no young mussels entering the river. The project is engaging currently being produced it is estimated farmers and landowners in the Esk catchment that the population could become extinct within to take up funding provision for this type of 25 years. beneficial land management. A captive breeding programme for the pearl mussels has The Esk Pearl Mussel and Salmon Recovery also been established, with the aim of re- Project is based on partnership working introduction when the habitat has improved in between the Environment Agency, Natural the River Esk. England, Durham University and the North York Freshwater pearl mussel Moors National Park Authority. The main aim of the project is to improve the river habitat to

HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS Tackling invasive species CASE STUDY

The New Forest National Park is one of the balsam, Giant hogweed, American skunk most important areas for wildlife in western cabbage and New Zealand pygmyweed. The Europe and as such, has many designations project partners are the New Forest National recognising its local, national and international Park Authority, Hampshire & Isle of Wight importance for biodiversity. However, there are Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, Forestry several non-native plant species that pose Commission, Natural England, and DEFRA. particular threats to the biodiversity and The project is establishing a strategic special qualities of the National Park, by Over the years a range of non-native introduced species have become established approach to their control within the main river spreading rapidly and out-competing other in our National Parks as they have elsewhere in the country. Non-native invasive valleys and open forest habitats of the New species. This can have a serious effect not species have contributed to the decline of some native species and threaten some Forest, mapping sites where invasive plants only on native plant species, but also the important habitats. are growing and coordinating volunteer work invertebrates that are dependent on native days to tackle them. The project assists In several National Parks there is great concern over the increase in certain introduced plants for food and nectar. landowners by arranging for work to be plants that support little native wildlife, such as rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) ; In 2009 a number of organisations joined undertaken by contractors or volunteers, and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) . forces to deal with five particularly invasive in some cases providing funding. These species can spread rapidly and colonise extensive areas to the exclusion of native plant species: Japanese knotweed, Himalayan plants. Significant non-native animal invaders include grey squirrel and mink. The former is well established and harms forestry and conservation by causing damage to trees and predation of birds. The grey squirrel has also played a major part in the decline of the native red squirrel which is now reduced to a few strongholds in England, including in Northumberland and Lake District National Parks. Introduced mink have an impact on aquatic wildlife and birds and are thought to be a significant factor in the decline across England of the native water vole. More positively, some species such as mink have become less significant as a pest species and appear to have reduced in numbers as otters have recolonised their original habitats, including all the river systems in Exmoor National Park. National Park Authorities in England are working with partners to tackle and, where possible, eradicate the most damaging introduced species to help enable recovery of native species and habitats.

Joint day of volunteer action pulling Himalayan balsam

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Knotweed is a highly invasive plant that was in North Devon. The project partners introduced into Britain as an ornamental and (Environment Agency, National Trust, Natural fodder plant in the early 19th century. It is now England and Exmoor National Park Authority) widely established in Britain and can have a came together and expanded the project to severely detrimental impact through its ability include the entire National Park and its to invade and out-compete native flora. associated river catchments. A systematic Knotweed can cause damage to buildings and survey has been carried out to map and record other structures and therefore can have knotweed sites across all watercourses in the economic as well as environmental Park and, with permission from landowners, implications. The main objective of the Exmoor sites are treated annually with herbicide. As no Knotweed Control project is the control of non- watercourses flow into Exmoor National Park it native invasive knotweed species (including is hoped that eventual control of these species Japanese, Himalayan, Giant, Lesser and will be possible. However achieving this aim hybrids) that have the potential to have an depends on all sites being known and treated adverse impact on the condition of important to prevent any future spread. The project habitats and species in the National Park. encourages the public to report sites where knotweed has been found, so that landowners The project arose due to concern over the can be contacted. number of knotweed plants along the Lyn Valley Knotweed growth

CASE STUDY

The Crayfish Arks project demonstrates how • Surveying of the upper reaches of the River partnerships can work to deliver targeted species Manifold to search for remnant native conservation work in apparently unlikely places. populations. The project aims to address the severe loss of • Assessing a selection of aggregates sites as to native White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius their potential as ‘ark’ sites into which pallipes) from the Peak District and Lowland threatened populations of crayfish could be Derbyshire, understood to be predominantly due translocated and protected. to the impact of non-native crayfish in rivers. The invasive non-native Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus • Assessing the status of potential donor leniusculus) is a vector for crayfish plague and is populations. a larger, more aggressive species so its presence • Establishing long term monitoring of any ark precludes the return of White-clawed crayfish to sites created through the project. rivers. The project includes: • Providing biodiversity advice to aggregates companies. White-clawed crayfish being introduced to their new home

HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS The Future

The English National Park Authorities have been able to Key contributions from National Parks will include: achieve advances in wildlife conservation over recent years through the continued application of their own resources and • Continuing to demonstrate ways in which biodiversity changes at a national level in policy and land management conservation can work alongside other land uses including support. There is still much to do and much that could be agriculture and outdoor recreation. achieved. • Demonstrating good practice at a landscape scale in biodiversity conservation including by tackling invasive We intend to turn our Vision of National Parks where wildlife species and major schemes to restore damaged habitats. flourishes and habitats are expanded and connected into a reality. With their existing diversity, size and the experience • Providing ‘test beds’ for new approaches in nature of the National Park Authorities in engaging with farmers and conservation, and participating in research and land managers to deliver conservation, this is possible. monitoring to establish the effectiveness of conservation measures in National Parks. National Parks in England have a central role to play in • Playing a critical role in nationwide programmes, helping to halt the decline in biodiversity that is still being including the proposed Ecological Restoration Zones experienced in England, and in demonstrating the (ERZs), that work beyond traditional administrative approaches to biodiversity conservation that can be applied boundaries to link up important habitats for wildlife so across the country. that species can more easily extend their ranges and migrate in response to anticipated changes in climate. • Working in effective partnerships and exploring innovative funding mechanisms to maximise the biodiversity benefits that can be achieved with the resources available.

HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS • As local planning authorities, ensuring that ecological networks and important habitats and sites are protected Given the right levels of support England's National and where possible enhanced through local planning Parks can become models for an ecosystem policies and decisions. approach that helps conserve and enhance • Encouraging restoration and sustainable management of carbon rich soils and peatlands, to reverse degradation biodiversity. Doing so will also deliver a wide range and maintain these internationally important carbon of other public benefits. These include healthy stores and wildlife habitats. food; inspiring landscapes; tranquillity; rich cultural • Engaging people more closely in the conservation and enhancement of the natural environment, particularly by heritage and vital services for society such as ensuring that local communities, landowners, farmers drinking water; natural carbon sinks; and reduced and land managers are involved in identifying priorities for flood risk. At the same time there will be increased conservation, and in implementing land management approaches in ways that help sustain local economies, opportunities for recreation and spiritual renewal communities and the environment. that can enhance all our lives. • Championing approaches that reward and incentivise owners and managers of land in National Parks for the wide range of public benefits they can provide. To find out more and see what is happening in individual • Raising awareness and understanding amongst people of National Parks go to www.nationalparks.gov.uk/biodiversity the importance of the natural environment and biodiversity to their lives and how they can live more sustainably.

HOME CONTENTS NEXT PREVIOUS Images courtesy of: Broads Authority, Dartmoor NPA, Exmoor NPA, Lake District NPA, New Forest NPA, Northumberland NPA, North York Moors NPA, Peak District NPA, Yorkshire Dales NPA, K Townsend (Dartmoor), Heather Lowther (Exmoor), Michael Turner (Lake District), northeastwildlife.co.uk, Mark Denton (North York Moors), S. Fraser (Northumberland), A. Hayward (Northumberland), E John Steele (Northumberland), Simon Fraser (Northumberland), Martin O’Neill (New Forest) and James Ferguson ENPAA , 1st Floor, 2-4 Great Eastern Street, London, EC2A 3NW. (Yorkshire Dales). Tel: 020 7655 4812 www.enpaa.org.uk [email protected]

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