Natural Areas in the South West Region

helping to set the regional agenda for nature

Introduction

egional strategies and policy The conservation of nature is a key local and national priorities for nature documents are being drawn test of policy in all three facets of into the Regional decision-making R up by the newly-created sustainable development, the social, framework. It contains information of Regional organisations. These are the economic and the environmental. direct relevance to the development required to encompass the protection While its role in the environment is of Regional Planning Guidance and and management of the environment self evident, it also has social Single Programming Documents to by applying the principles of implications through the spiritual, support the delivery of European sustainable development. cultural and recreational value of Union Structural Funding, people’s experience of the natural regeneration funding and other This document has been produced world; and economic implications economic and social programmes. by English Nature, the Government through the provision of exploitable body that promotes the conservation resources and the attractiveness to The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries of wildlife and natural features investors of high quality and Food, the Environment Agency, throughout England. It is for use by environments. the country forestry organisations, the Regional Development Agency, local authorities and statutory and the Government Regional Office If we are serious about achieving other agencies involved in land use and the Regional Chambers, when sustainable development, then and land management issues will also making Regional policy. We hope understanding the priorities for the find it relevant and, we hope, of value. that it will provide a starting point conservation of the biodiversity and for discussion with our network of Earth heritage resource of the Region We envisage that this document can Regional Lead Teams, who can is therefore essential. This report is a therefore be used at a number of key provide valuable support, and links first step towards that understanding, points within the Regional strategy- into wider partnerships. and provides the basis for integrating making and planning process.

Chesil Beach, Dorset. Peter Wakely/English Nature

South West Region Introduction 3 Natural Areas as a Regional framework for nature English Nature has divided England into a series of Natural Areas. Their boundaries are based on the distribution of wildlife and natural features and the land use patterns and human history of each area. They do not follow administrative boundaries but relate instead to variations in the character of the landscape. They reflect our cultural heritage and are central to English Nature’s organisational strategy Beyond 2000.

We worked with the Countryside Commission (soon to become the Countryside Agency) to identify a joint approach to the characterisation of the countryside into locally distinctive units called character areas. Where the wildlife and natural features are similar between adjacent character areas we have merged them into one Natural Area - so, a Natural Area may contain sevaral character areas that are considered to be different landscape types.

Natural Areas offer a more effective framework for the planning and achievement of nature conservation objectives than do administrative boundaries. Although they are not formal Avon Gorge NNR, Bristol. Peter Wakely/English Nature designations they are now recognised in Government Planning Policy Guidance Relevant Government Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) (PPG) and other statutory advice.

PPG 7: The Countryside: environmental quality and economic and Within this framework, we have, with social development our key partners in the Region, PPG 9: Nature Conservation identified the chief threats to, and PPG 11: Regional Planning Guidance opportunities for, nature conservation. PPG 12: Development Plans and Regional Planning Guidance Together, we have defined a range of (presently under review) issues, and set associated objectives PPG 13: Transport that we believe provide a starting point for Regional action to protect and Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Policy Guidance: Policy manage our biodiversity and geological appraisal and the environment (DETR, 1998). assets. These objectives are set out in the sections which follow.

South West Region Introduction 4 Regional boundary 61 Dean Plateau 56 Severn 63 Thames and Wye Valley and Avon and Avon Vales Vales

y ar u st E 85 Somerset n 55 Cotswolds Levels and er ev Moors S 79 Berkshire & 88 Vale of Taunton 16 and Quantock 1 Marlborough Fringes 115 Bridgwater Downs Bay 84 Mendip 86 Hills 87 Exmoor and 80 South 62 Bristol, the Quantocks 87 Wessex Avon Valleys Downs and Ridges 86 83 Wessex Vales 114 Land’s End to 93 The Culm Minehead 90 Devon 89 Blackdowns Redlands 81 Dorset 92 Dartmoor Heaths 94 Bodmin Moor 82 111 Lyme Bay 109 Solent and Poole Bay 96 West 91 South 110 South Penwith Devon Dorset Coast 95 Cornishand Granites Killas 82 Isles of 113 Isles of Portland and Scilly 86 Mid Somerset Hills Purbeck 97 The 112 Start Point to Lizard Land’s End

Natural Areas covered in the South West Region report

Objectives for The Region contains a diversity of Dartmoor and Exmoor, the wet landscapes which support a grasslands of Somerset, the varied sustainable characteristic and remarkable wet heath of the Culm Measures in development and combination of wildlife and Devon and the rolling chalk nature conservation in geological heritage. The Cotswolds downlands of Wiltshire. and the chalklands of Wiltshire and the South West Region Dorset are dominated by the large The distribution of wildlife and the scale, open spaces of pastoral texture of the landscape are the The South West is a region of farming. Densely wooded ancient product of complex interactions. dramatic, and often sharp contrasts. countryside is found in the Forest of The basic physical qualities of the Whilst agriculture is the dominant Dean and Cranborne Chase, whilst rock, soil and climate have set the land use and underpins the rural the Mendips is an area of discrete scene, but the detail has been, and economy, large urban populations and varied hills and escarpments. will continue to be, shaped through are concentrated around the Elsewhere there are intimate patterns human activity which is driven by business and industry of the major of small fields, hamlets and winding economic, social, and environmental sea ports, primarily Bristol and lanes, rugged coasts and upland forces. Plymouth. The countryside and moorland. There is an outstanding natural beauty, in particular the diversity of habitats and species that Our ability to exploit the environment coast (which is proportionately the are very rare, and of very high quality, for economic gain is beginning to longest of any Region) and the of which the Region can be justifiably jeopardise our present and future National Parks, is the mainstay of a proud. Prime examples include the well-being. Since our decisions can significant tourism industry. heathland of Dorset, the uplands of have far-reaching effects on present

South West Region Introduction 5 and future generations, we need to Its importance is reflected in the look at how we can act to maintain issues and objectives that are and improve both our local and listed at the start of each section. global environments. There is no doubt that work at the Regional level The intensification of agriculture, and can be a powerful force in steering associated decline in traditional land local agendas for environmental management, combined with the action, whilst providing strong links huge growth of the major towns and to national and international cities, has resulted in the reclamation programmes. and loss of much of the lowland semi- natural habitat of value to wildlife in Sustainable development requires the South West Region. The semi- integration, rather than balance or natural habitats that remain are often trade off. Decision makers need to small and isolated and are adversely build environmental and social criteria affected by agricultural practices and into the heart of their policies and pressure from development, including programmes - and ensure that they the use of pesticides and fertilisers, are given the same weight as run-off of pollutants from industrial economic considerations at the Devil’s Chimney, Gloucestershire. and housing estates, and the lowering beginning of the process. Ruth Briggs/English Nature of water tables through drainage and This is what is meant by integration, the quality of towns or cities is abstraction. and contrasts with the more familiar maintained or improved. The situation, where proposals are drawn challenge will be to determine which The populations of birds, mammals up against economic criteria alone patterns and locations of development and plants which rely on the and are only weighed against their prove most sustainable. agricultural systems themselves have environmental impact when they are also plummeted. Major priorities about to be implemented. Conserving and enhancing nature can therefore include: the sensitive be compatible with development and, management of existing habitats; The basic means for many of the whilst the built environment has fewer increasing the area of existing habitats Regional level structures and designated sites, Local Nature and re-establishing the links between organisations to act will be through Reserves, pocket parks, green space them; and restoring the conditions in the planning process for built and even private gardens, are the only which the wildlife of cereal fields and development and infrastructure. contact the majority of people have pasture can also thrive. Planners have a key role in with nature. They are also important incorporating economic, reservoirs of biodiversity. Planning for new developments, environmental and social factors into projects and programmes should decisions about where to put homes, Another essential role will be played therefore include an awareness of jobs, shops and leisure facilities. In by those charged with the design and the implications for the wider this way, demands on land, the implementation of policy and countryside that extends beyond the environment and nature can be programmes for forestry, agriculture, boundaries of designated sites and managed more sustainably. Regional water and recreation. Farming is the landscapes. In addition to the key Planning Guidance will be written to Region’s major land use. The issues and objectives listed in the help with this process. habitats described in the following sections which follow, a wide range chapters are predominantly part of of species and habitats with targets Current government policy agricultural management systems. for protection and enhancement are encourages investment in urban areas Farmland therefore provides a set out in the document: Action for and existing centres rather than out of major source of opportunity for biodiversity in the South West: a series town sites. This means re-using habitat creation and of habitat and species plans to guide previously developed urban land as maintenance, and species delivery [L Cordrey (ed.), RSPB, much as possible, while ensuring that protection and enhancement. Exeter 1997].

South West Region Introduction 6 Glossary How the contents of the report may be applied BAP: Biodiversity Action Plans for habitats and species.

Specific Relevant Biodiversity: Simply means the variety of life on application contents earth. It covers everything from human beings to oak trees, bacteria to blue whales. Many Regions have Sustainable We have sought to set biodiversity already produced or are working on Biodiversity development and Earth heritage in the context Audits and Action Plans which begin to catalogue and of sustainable development - and summarise their wealth of wildlife. This document to define the latter as a process of complements these and other initiatives, including integration. work on Local Agenda 21 and Local Biodiversity Action Plans, and existing Nature Conservation Strategies. Providing Descriptive text which outlines the context natural character of the Region. Earth heritage: We have a rich and diverse heritage of rocks, fossils, minerals and land forms. The Identifying Specific issues and objectives protection and management of these features is an issues and written for direct inclusion in integral part of nature conservation. objectives policy documents and/or distillation into policy to protect European Union Habitats and Birds Directives and enhance nature. requires the Government to designate and protect some of the most important areas for wildlife. They are or will be classified as Special Protection Areas Links to Key Natural Areas are named in (SPAs) and/or Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). international each section in order to ensure These sites are also Sites of Special Scientific Interest site designations that national priorities for habitat (SSSIs) but meet specific criteria for international and biodiversity conservation are taken into importance. In the case of marine SACs the SSSI account. They are identified as designation only applies down to the low water mark. supporting nationally important concentrations of a habitat or Habitat: is the natural home of any plant, and where Earth heritage feature and/or animals feed, breed and rest. international sites (Special Protection Areas and Special Areas Statutory guidance from the Secretary of State of Conservation) and biodiversity to the Regional Development Agencies (RDA) habitats and species. includes: Sustainable Development; Rural Policy; Regional Economic Strategies. White Papers Benchmarks A checklist is provided (Annex 1) include: Building Partnerships for Prosperity; The for nature to make an assessment of the United Kingdom Sustainable Development Strategy; contribution of policies, projects Rural White Paper; Urban White Paper. and programmes to the delivery of sustainability in relation to nature. Sustainable development: was defined by the 1987 World Commission Report on Environment and Development as “development which meets the needs Key contact The English Nature contact of the present without compromising the ability of points addresses are provided for the future generations to meet their needs”. It is often Region, including the Regional described as a ‘three legged stool’ whose legs comprise Lead Team, together with a list of environmental, economic and social. If any one of sources of information (Annex 2). them is missing as a consideration in decisions, the stool will topple.

South West Region Introduction 7 Earth heritage

he varied geology of the and gorges. Coal Measures also Key issues and South West Region is occur under the Bristol, Avon Valley T outstanding, with superb and Ridges and have, until recently, objectives coastal features, rich mineral deposits been extensively mined. Ice Age and internationally important fossils. rivers and glacial meltwaters, with river terraces and fossil-rich gravels Issue: site protection In the Dean Plateau and Wye Valley form the Severn and Avon Vales, cut ● Maintain the integrity of Carboniferous Coal Measures are through the surrounding Devonian natural landforms. surrounded by Carboniferous sandstones and siltstones and ● Protect sites from the threat of limestones, siltstone and shales younger limestones and shales to landfill and review proposals for which form prominent scarp features give the area its varied topography. aggregate extraction and quarrying with care. ● Secure conservation of important sites in working pits and quarries. ● Assess and collect data from new and/or temporary sites.

Issue: site management ● Maintain and where possible enhance the geological resource by: ◗ ensuring appropriate management of sites, for instance by removing overgrowth; ◗ maintaining the operation of coastal, fluvial and other natural processes.

Issue: recreation and education ● Encourage local caving organisations to be responsible for cave conservation. ● Avoid over-use and misuse of sensitive fossil locations. ● Promote the geological resource by: ◗ explaining the influence of geology on local habitats, scenery and economy; ◗ site interpretation using signboards, leaflets and trail guides; ◗ assessment and use of sites with a high educational value.

Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset. Peter Wakely/English Nature

South West Region Earth heritage 8 Main Earth heritage features of key Natural Areas 56 55 55. Cotswolds ● Cotswolds scarp slope and 63 clay vales 62 ● Limestone exposures in 84 Cotswolds scarp and crest 83 ● Cotswold stone buildings and 114 93 89 walls 82 109 56. Severn and Avon Vales 95 91 111 110 113 ● Tremadoc, Llandovery and 112 Wenlock rocks and fossils ● Exposures of Quaternary sediments including river 82. Isles of Portland and 84. Mendip Hills gravels and glacial deposits Purbeck ● Triassic-Lower Jurassic 62. Bristol, Avon Valleys and ● World-famous Jurassic fossils fissure fills containing Ridges ● Type localities for fossilised early reptile and Kimmeridge Clay, Portland mammal remains ● Devonian layers and and Purbeck beds ● Cave deposits containing sediments of the Portishead ● Key area for Cretaceous and Pleistocene animal and beds, including fossil fish Alpine folding hominid fossils ● Lower Carboniferous layers in ● Purbeck anticline and ● Highly fossiliferous Lower the Avon Gorge ‘crumple’ Carboniferous marine ● Coal Measure fossil ● Holworth House limestones communities including plants, unconformity, Poxwell and ● Jurassic hard ground surfaces insects and arthropods Chaldon periclines encrusted with oysters and ● Lower Lias layers and ● Abbotsbury - Ridgeway Fault boring organisms sediments zone ● Deep gorge and related ● Inferior oolite sequences on ● Kimmeridge oilfield scenic features, Cheddar and Dundry Hill ● Candidate basal boundary Ebbor Gorges ● Fluvioglacial and interglacial stratotype sections for ● Mining grounds of Pleistocene/Quaternary gravels Kimmeridgian and geological, historical and Portlandian stages cultural importance 63. Thames and Avon Vales ● Portland stone quarries ● Outcrops of Oxford and 89. Blackdowns Kimmeridge Clays in 83. Wessex Vales ● Penarth and Lias group brickpits ● Jurassic and Cretaceous strata fossils ● Most northerly deposits of and palaeoenvironments ● Blackdown Greensand fossils Wealden rocks in Britain ● Jurassic vertebrate and ● Very fossil rich Lower Chalk ● Upper Jurassic ‘Corallian’ invertebrate fossils ● Beer Stone Quarries limestones and fossil remains ● Uppermost Jurassic ● Landslip coast between Lyme in classic area stratigraphy - Portland and Regis and Seaton ● Most northerly exposures of Purbeck Beds Portlandian rocks continued on page 11

South West Region Earth heritage 9 Saddle Tor, Dartmoor, Devon. Peter Wakely/English Nature contain the largest onshore oilfield in animal and hominid fossils occur. The Cotswolds are dominated by the UK. Soft cliffs around the Solent The low-lying fen landscape of the Jurassic yellow limestones which and Poole Bay are formed of Somerset Levels and Moors is formed typically form prominent scarps. Tertiary-aged fossil-rich marine clays by deposits of alluvium, peat and Middle and Upper Jurassic Oxford overlain by unconsolidated gravels. marine clays underlain by Triassic and Kimmeridge Clays rich in fossils The Isles of Portland and Purbeck clays. The Mid Somerset Hills consist characterise the Thames and Avon are formed of chalk, limestones and of late Triassic and early Jurassic Vales. Ice Age mammal remains clays. A vertical Cretaceous Chalk mudstone, clays and limestones. The occur in sand and river terrace ridge forms the spine of the Purbeck undulating landscape of Exmoor and gravels. The Berkshire and Hills and a limestone plateau the Quantocks is formed mainly by Marlborough Downs and South dominates the Isle of Portland. The Devonian sandstones and slates Wessex Downs are dominated by world-famous cliffs of the South overlain by blown sand, peats and chalk formed during the Upper Dorset Coast reveal exceptional alluvial deposits. Permo-Triassic Cretaceous. Subsequent weathering exposures of Jurassic and Cretaceous pebble-bed conglomerates, breccias led to the formation of the rock layers along with spectacular and sandstones underlie shales and distinctive clay-with-flints and hard erosional features such as Lulworth limestones in the Vale of Taunton sandstone silcretes which later Cove. This area also has one of the giving rise to the low-lying rolling broke, forming Sarsen stones. most important raised beach countryside. sequences on the south coast. Gravels, sands, silts and clays Rocks in the Wessex Vales range from underlie the Dorset Heaths giving rise The Mendip Hills are the most Jurassic age. Many of the rock layers to a mixture of well drained and southerly Carboniferous limestone dip eastwards and the rolling waterlogged soils over which upland in Britain. The weathering of countryside is produced by clays and heathland has developed. Jurassic the limestone has formed gorges, limestones with hills capped by clays, limestones and sandstones screes, valleys and caves in which Cretaceous Greensand and Chalk.

South West Region Earth heritage 10 The Blackdowns is an extensive lowland plateau characterised by a 91. South Devon ● Portland Bill, a raised beach on succession of mudstone, greensands the Isle of Portland ● Refolded folds in Start Peninsula ● Erosional features of Lulworth and chalk. The Devon Redlands and ● Coastal sections in Devonian Coast South Devon Natural Areas were Rocks formerly submerged under a sea. Reef ● Superb coastal exposures of 111. Lyme Bay development in the Devonian led to Variscan thrust structures the formation of fossil-rich limestones, ● Devonian fossils and pillow lavas ● Coastal exposures of which are overlain by characteristic red ● Coastal platform international importance coloured sandstones and mudstones. ● Devonian ‘swell’ succession at ● Type localities for vertebrate and Chudleigh invertebrate fossils The structural geology of the Region is ● Slapton shingle Ridge ● Coastal geomorphological dominated by the Variscan Orogeny - a features of international long period of mountain building 93. The Culm importance ● Coastal landslips of international which started during the ● Coastal exposures of deformed importance Carboniferous Period and strongly rocks contorted many Devonian strata and ● Quarry exposures of igneous and 112. Start Point to Land’s End led to the emplacement of granites. sedimentary rocks The hot granite baked the surrounding ● Mineral localities and links with ● Igneous rocks, particularly rocks forming rich mineral ores which mining heritage ‘ophiolitic’ mantle rocks became the heart of the Cornish tin ● Coastal geomorphological features ● Devonian sediments deformed by and copper mining industry. There are the Variscan orogeny seven main granite outcrops forming a 95. Cornish Killas and Granites ● Mineral sites, particularly related spine running from the west of to the granites ● Coastal exposures of deformed Dartmoor to the Scilly Isles. These ● Sea-level change sites; raised ‘killas’ rocks beaches and rias characterise the West Penwith, Cornish ● Upland granite masses and Killas and Granites, Bodmin Moor, associated coastal exposures 113. Isles of Scilly the Culm and Dartmoor Natural Areas ● Ancient mineral mines, spoil and, where the granite extends out into heaps and links with mining ● Granite weathering landforms the sea, the Scilly Isles. Eroded heritage including coastal tors remnants of these granites form the ● Type mineral localities such as ● Coastal cliff sections showing distinctive tors, clitter, boulder fields Arthurite (Hingston Down glacial deposits in the north and and acidic soils associated with this Quarry and Consols) head deposits in the south Region. The Lizard represents one of ● Coastal geomorphological Europe’s best exposures of rocks 109. Solent and Poole Bay features such as beaches, sand derived from the Earth’s mantle, bars and tombolos ● Tertiary stratigraphy, ● Raised beaches or platforms including the distinctive spotted rock palaeoenvironments and 3-8 m above present sea level called Serpentine. palaeontology ● Evolution of the River Solent and 114. Land’s End to Minehead The Start Point to Land’s End and Pleistocene environments Land’s End to Minehead maritime ● Coastal geomorphological features ● Devonian sediments and Natural Areas are characterised by including Poole Harbour associated fossil fauna, deformed strongly folded Devonian and by the Variscan orogeny Carboniferous slates and sandstones 110. South Dorset Coast ● Igneous rocks, particularly which form many coves and around Land’s End ● Internationally important headlands. Coastal processes ● Mineral sites, particularly related stratigraphic sites dominate much of the character of to the granites ● World-famous fossil locations the Dorset coast as seen by the effects ● Coastal erosion features - arches, ● Displays all stages in the stacks, hanging valleys, etc. of longshore drift at Chesil Beach and formation of caves, arches and the continual landslipping near Lyme stacks Regis and Charmouth.

South West Region Earth heritage 11 Freshwater

ivers and streams are an have fast-flowing, spring-fed streams Key issues and important feature of the in their upper reaches, with sections R South West Region. Seven that dry out in summer known as objectives rivers, namely the Avon, Moors, ‘winterbournes’. These Frome, Axe, Barle, Wye and De winterbournes are characteristic of Lank, are the best examples of their the Cotswolds, the Berkshire and Issue: water quality type and form part of the national Marlborough Downs, and the South ● Maintain high water quality series of river SSSIs. Wessex Downs. Chalk river SSSIs by: include the River Avon, which rises ◗ improving sewage Chalk rivers feature prominently in in the Berkshire and Marlborough treatment; some parts of the Region and often Downs and flows through the South ◗ preventing contamination from minewater and industrial discharge; ◗ safeguarding all watercourses, particularly mesotrophic water bodies, from agricultural and urban run-off.

Issue: water quantity ● Maintain river levels and flows by: ◗ managing demand for water; ◗ reducing abstraction to sustainable levels; ◗ restoring historic flows.

Issue: lack of or inappropriate management ● Manage freshwater and its waterside habitats appropriately by: ◗ re-establishing natural waterside habitats; ◗ maintenance and re- creation of natural channels by river engineering and flood defence works; ◗ reducing grazing of waterside margins; ◗ balancing recreational and wildlife objectives, particularly in canals and lakes.

De Lank River SSSI, Bodmin, Cornwall. Peter Wakely/English Nature

South West Region Freshwater 12 Wessex Downs; the upper reaches of River Kennet and its tributary, the River Lambourn (also in Berkshire and Marlborough Downs); and the River Frome which flows across the Dorset Heaths. Elsewhere in the 63 Region there are a variety of river 79 types including the clay-bottomed rivers of Thames and Avon Vales, 80 the upland rivers and streams of 85 Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and 81 Exmoor and the Quantocks, and the River Wye, a limestone and sandstone river whose lower reaches flow into the Severn Estuary.

A number of rivers and streams support species that are of international importance. The River Characteristic habitats of 79. Berkshire and Avon and the River Wye are key Natural Areas Marlborough Downs candidate Special Areas of ● Rivers and streams including Conservation (SACs) for their 63. Thames and Avon Vales chalk rivers water-crowfoot beds and fish species ● Many clay-bottomed rivers, ● Canal habitat: the Kennet and including the bullhead, brook most forming tributaries of the Avon Canal lamprey, sea lamprey and Atlantic Thames ● Ponds salmon. The River Wye is also a ● Canals, including the Kennet candidate SAC for allis shad and and Avon 80. South Wessex Downs twaite shad. There are strong ● Extensive marl lake systems ● Chalk rivers, including the populations of otters in the west of ● Extensive ditch systems River Avon and River Frome the Region, for example in the Taw, ● Some temporary pools Torridge and Tamar river valleys

81. Dorset Heaths

Candidate Special Areas of Conservation ● Significant rivers, including ● Dorset Heaths (Purbeck and Wareham) and Studland Dunes the chalk rivers of the Frome and Piddle (Dorset Heaths) ● Many flooded ball clay lakes ● Dorset Heaths (Dorset Heaths) ● Important floodplain and ● East Devon Pebblebed Heaths (Devon Redlands) riverside habitats ● River Avon (South Wessex Downs; Berkshire and Marlborough ● Ponds Downs) 85. Somerset Levels and ● River Camel (Cornish Killas and Granites) Moors ● River Wye/Afon Gwy (Dean Plateau and Wye Valley; plus Central ● River systems, e.g. Parrett, Herefordshire in the West Midlands Region and parts in Wales) Yeo ● The Lizard (The Lizard) ● Extensive ditch systems ● Lakes, pools and ponds Special Protection Areas ● Chew Valley Lake (Bristol, Avon Valleys and Ridges) NB Priority BAP habitats in italics

South West Region Freshwater 13 River Frome SSSI, Dorset. Peter Wakely/English Nature within The Culm. The River Camel waterfowl, such as Chew Valley Lake the BAP species ribbon-leaved water- in the Cornish Killas and Granites is which is a Special Protection Area plantain; others are eutrophic a candidate SAC for the otter. (SPA) for its large populations of standing waters used by breeding and Other BAP species present in the gadwall, shoveler, teal and tufted wintering wildfowl and waders. In the Region include the water vole, the duck. The large complex of flooded Devon Redlands, West Penwith and white-clawed crayfish, which can still gravel pits that form the marl lakes of Dartmoor, natural lakes and pools are be found in a number of rivers and the Cotswolds Water Park in Thames scarce and reservoirs and flooded streams in the easternmost parts of and Avon Vales support a diverse pools resulting from china clay the Region, and the freshwater pearl range of aquatic plants, including the extraction are the only large water mussel, which occurs in The Culm. BAP species lesser bearded bodies. stonewort, and is rich in invertebrates. Many of the large open water bodies In the Severn and Avon Vales most Slapton Ley in South Devon was in the Region are man-made, such as pools result from industrial activity, once a saltwater lagoon, but has the reservoirs in the Mendip Hills and such as brine pumping, or were gradually become freshwater. This the Bristol, Avon Valleys and Ridges. created as ornamental lakes. One of eutrophic lake supports a diverse Many such areas are important for these lakes is the only known site for and abundant aquatic flora including

South West Region Freshwater 14 Slapton Ley NNR, South Devon. Peter Wakely/English Nature the rare convergent stonewort and found. Ditches are also significant SAC for these habitats. the only British population of the features in the floodplains of the strapwort. Slapton Ley is also Severn and Avon Vales and the The flushes, pools and ponds across important for invertebrate fauna and Thames and Avon Vales. the Region support a number of BAP for passage and breeding birds such species. The reed beetle Donacia as reed bunting, a BAP species. The Lizard has some unusual pools bicolora occurs in ponds on the Dorset and ponds including a unique series Heaths and the medicinal leech is A number of the floodplain that supports both rare stoneworts found in the Blackdowns and Dorset grasslands in the Region are drained that grow more often in calcareous Heaths. The Region is a major by ditches which are often important lakes, and species associated with stronghold for the southern damselfly for their aquatic flora and fauna. An acid conditions, such as bog and three candidate SACs for this extensive network of ditches, or pondweed. There is also a series of species occur within wet heaths here. ‘rhynes’, are a strong feature of the temporary ponds, which dry out in Good populations of the great-crested Somerset Levels and Moors. Here the summer and support rare species newt are present across much of the the BAP species lesser silver diving such as land quillwort and dwarf Region, but the species is uncommon beetle and shining ramshorn snail are rush. The Lizard is a candidate in the more westerly parts.

South West Region Freshwater 15 Inland rock

he Avon Gorge in the soil types in the area. The tors are Key issues and Bristol, Avon Valleys and regionally important for their lichen T Ridges is an outstanding communities and ferns, including objectives inland rock feature where some rare species such as the forked Carboniferous Limestone is exposed spleenwort and lanceolate both naturally and by quarry spleenwort. The wheatear and ring Issue: site protection workings. This creates a habitat for ouzel are associated with this many rare plants such as the Bristol habitat. The peregrine falcon, ● Avoid extensive use of stone rock-cress which is unique to the dependent on secluded edges for and scree for creating new site, round-headed leek, at its only nesting, is found on both the footpaths and walls. mainland location, and grasses such limestone and granite outcrops ● Minimise damage to sites as compact brome and nit-grass. across the Region. during safety works by liaising The gorge forms part of a National with maintenance workers. Nature Reserve. In the Dean There are good examples of scree ● Protect bat sites from Plateau and Wye Valley, ledges and slopes in the north west of Exmoor disturbance through use of steep slopes of Carboniferous and the Quantocks. Where these are grills. Limestone are a refuge for sedges stable an unusual vegetation and mosses, the most notable site develops, characterised by English being the Wye Valley Gorge. stonecrop, with mosses and Cladonia Issue: recreation lichens. Granite tors and their surrounding ● Control rock and boulder clitter are a distinctive feature of The world famous ‘Sarsen’ stones in climbing to protect rock Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor and, to a the Berkshire and Marlborough surfaces, their vegetation and lesser extent, Exmoor and the Downs are formed of sandstone and nesting birds. Quantocks. Formed as the granite provide one of the few natural ● Consider the impact of erodes, they are found on summits, exposures of hard, acidic rock in footpaths and new tracks on valley sides and in particular on the lowland Britain. They support a inland rock habitats. edges of the Dartmoor plateau. diverse relict lower plant flora, some Eventually the clitter disintegrates to of which have developed over several form gravel, known locally as centuries. Many unusual lichens are Issue: agriculture growan, which is the basis for many present including Buellia saxorum

● Establish grazing regimes to benefit the vegetation without damaging the clitter and scree.

Issue: public awareness

● Develop interpretation of Sarsen stones and important rock outcrops to raise awareness of their geological and nature conservation importance.

Avon Gorge NNR, Bristol. Peter Wakely/English Nature

South West Region Inland rock 16 which is found only on Sarsen stones and notable mosses including the nationally scarce Grimmia laevigata and Grimmia decipiens which is also restricted to Sarsen stones.

The many caves and disused mines 62 79 in the Region are valuable hibernating places for bats, notably the BAP species Bechstein’s, barbastelle, greater and lesser horseshoe bats. Beer Quarry and 94 92 Caves in the Devon Redlands, Chilmark Quarries in the South Wessex Downs, Bath and Bradford- on-Avon Bats in The Cotswolds and Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites in the Dean Plateau and Wye Valley are candidate SACs because Characteristic habitats of of the bats that hibernate or roost key Natural Areas there. 62. Bristol, Avon Valleys and Caves and disused mines are also Ridges valuable for mosses and liverworts. ● Outstanding Carboniferous The western rustwort is a very rare outcrops in the Avon Gorge liverwort that colonises crumbling granite and china clay. In Britain it 79. Berkshire and is found at a very small number of Marlborough Downs sites, including Lower Bostraze and Leswidden and Tregonning Hill, ● Highest concentration of both of which are candidate SACs in Sarsen stones in England at the Cornish Killas and Granites. Fyfield Down and Piggledene The priority BAP species Cornish path moss is restricted to two sites on 92. Dartmoor disused mines in Bodmin Moor and Sarsen stones at Fyfield Down NNR, Wiltshire. ● Extensive rocky outcrops, is found nowhere else in the world. Peter Wakely/English Nature including tors, clitter slopes and quarries

Candidate Special Areas of Conservation 94. Bodmin Moor ● Bath and Bradford-on-Avon Bats (Cotswolds) ● Beer Quarry and Caves (Devon Redlands) ● Extensive granite outcrops ● Chilmark Quarries (South Wessex Downs) including tors, clitter slopes ● Lower Bostraze and Leswidden (Cornish Killas and Granites) ● Disused mining areas ● Tregonning Hill (Cornish Killas and Granites) ● Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites (Dean Plateau and Wye Valley; plus part of site in Wales)

Special Protection Areas None NB Priority BAP habitats in italics

South West Region Inland rock 17 Bog, fen and swamp

og, fen and swamp are an Key issues and important range of habitats B that are well represented objectives across the South West Region.

Blanket bogs are characterised by Issue: loss of habitat Sphagnum mosses, cottongrasses, sedges and dwarf shrubs such as ● Re-establish bog, fen and heather and cross-leaved heath. swamp habitat by: Dartmoor is a candidate Special ◗ restoring the water levels, Area of Conservation (SAC) for its particularly to damaged extensive areas of blanket bog, which bogs, to enable peat form a mosaic with wet heathland. formation; These moors have breeding ◗ creating large, wet populations of golden plover and reedbeds; Bog bean at Blackslade Mire SSSI, Devon. dunlin. Small areas of blanket bog ◗ removing encroaching trees Peter Wakely/English Nature are also found on Exmoor. and scrub; and characterised by algal mats with ◗ restoring grazing to Lowland raised bogs are one of nationally scarce species such as neglected fens. Europe’s rarest and most threatened brown beak-sedge, great sundew and habitats. Tor Royal Bog on bog orchid. Two sites in the Region Dartmoor is almost intact are candidate SACs, the Dorset Issue: inappropriate management hydrologically, and is part of the Heaths and the Dorset Heaths Dartmoor candidate SAC. The only (Purbeck and Wareham) and ● Manage existing bog habitats other raised bogs remaining in the Studland Dunes for this habitat. by reducing burning on Region, whilst valuable, are no blanket bogs. longer intact. These are scattered The purple moor-grass and rush across a large number of sites in the pasture habitat, sometimes referred Somerset Levels and Moors. to as Rhôs pasture, occurs in good Issue: water quantity on the Culm in Devon and Valley mires are wet boggy areas, Cornwall where it is known as Culm ● Enhance hydrology and usually found along stream and river grassland. There are also water quality through: lines or springs. They are an considerable areas on Dartmoor, and ◗ control of land drainage immensely valuable habitat for a some on the Blackdowns, and and prevention of pollution; diverse range of species and provide Exmoor and the Quantocks. ◗ sustainable management of resting and feeding places within the Characteristic plants of Culm water abstraction. moorland habitat mosaic. grassland include meadow thistle, Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor, Exmoor devil’s-bit scabious and various and the Quantocks and Cornish orchids and sedges. Some of the Killas and Granite have an largest sites in the Culm Natural important range of valley mires. Area form a candidate SAC, both for There are other areas of mire in their purple moor-grass and rush Blackdowns, the Lizard, Isles of pasture and for marsh fritillary, a Portland and Purbeck, the Scilly priority BAP butterfly with a major Isles and Wessex Vales. stronghold on this habitat in Devon.

Pioneer communities on humid, Fen meadow is a vulnerable habitat exposed peat are a feature of the and one of the largest areas Dorset Heaths valley mires and wet remaining in England is found on flushes. The habitat is usually open the Somerset Levels and Moors.

South West Region Bog, fen and swamp 18 This is very species-rich, with sedges, southern marsh-orchid and marsh arrowgrass. A good example of species-rich fen meadow on chalk and clay is found at Holme Moor and Clean Moor, a candidate SAC in the Vale of Taunton and the Quantock Fringes. This site has calcareous fens with the rare great 85 fen-sedge. Fen meadow is an important part of the Culm grassland mosaic. Extensive 81 populations of the Desmoulin’s whorl snail, a BAP priority species, are found on reed sweet-grass swamp and tall sedges in the Kennet and Lambourn Floodplain, in the Berkshire and Marlborough Downs and the wetlands of the River Avon Characteristic habitats of in the South Wessex Downs and key Natural Areas Berkshire and Marlborough Downs. 81. Dorset Heaths Both of these sites are candidate ● Fen communities including rare SACs. Smaller areas of fen meadow examples of valley mire occur across the Bristol Avon Valleys ● Significant areas of reedbed and Ridges, Dorset Heaths, Wessex Vales, Vale of Taunton, Blackdowns 85. Somerset Levels and and Exmoor and the Quantocks. Moors ● Large areas of species-rich fen Reedbeds are found along the River meadow of outstanding Exe in the Devon Redlands, at importance Slapton Ley in South Devon, in ● Small remnants of fen Poole Harbour, at the edges of lakes ● Important areas of degraded and ponds in the Severn and Avon lowland raised bog Vales, along the coast of the Wessex ● Increasing amounts of reedbed Vales and on the Lizard. The Scilly Eblake Bog SSSI, Dorset. NB Priority BAP habitats in italics Isles have small reedbeds fringing Peter Wakely/English Nature the pools on Tresco, adding to the wildlife value of the islands. Candidate Special Areas of Conservation Elsewhere in the Region, reedbeds ● Culm Grasslands (The Culm) are scarce but new areas are being ● Dartmoor (Dartmoor) created in the Somerset Levels and ● Dorset Heaths (Dorset Heaths) Moors on old peat workings. ● Dorset Heaths [Purbeck & Wareham] and Studland Dunes (Dorset Heaths) ● East Devon Pebblebed Heaths (Devon Redlands) The many invertebrates and plants ● Holme Moor and Clean Moor (Vale of Taunton and the Quantock Fringes) ● associated with bog, fen and swamp Kennet and Lambourn Floodplain (Berkshire and Marlborough Downs; plus London Basin in London and the South East Region) communities in the Region include ● River Avon (South Wessex Downs; Berkshire and Marlborough Downs) the BAP priority species prickly sedge, large marsh grasshopper, Special Protection Areas argent and sable moth and narrow- ● Somerset Levels and Moors (Somerset Levels and Moors) bordered bee hawk moth.

South West Region Bog, fen and swamp 19 Woodland

he woodland of the South in the Cotswolds, Dean Plateau and Key issues and West Region is very Wye Valley and the Bristol, Avon T diverse, both in age and Valleys and Ridges. The dormouse, objectives type. Ancient woodland survives on a BAP species associated with large land which was difficult to clear and ancient woodlands, is found Issue: loss of habitat cultivate, such as valley sides, or throughout the more wooded areas ● Create new broadleaved where woodland was part of the of the Region. woodland around existing local economy (for example making blocks and link small furniture and hurdles). There is The Mendip Woodlands in the fragments, for example along significant ancient semi-natural Mendip Hills, the Avon Gorge river corridors. woodland in the Region, particularly Woodlands in the Bristol, Avon ● Promote the Forestry Commission Woodland Grants Scheme. ● Protect ancient and semi- natural woodland.

Issue: commercial woodland ● Restructure large conifer plantations through: ◗ design plans to improve conservation value; ◗ restoration of native broadleaved trees on ancient woodland sites. ● Identify appropriate areas for new commercial woodland which: ◗ enhance landscape character and ecological interest; ◗ avoid conflict with other conservation aims.

Issue: management ● Encourage and promote sustainable management of broadleaved woodland through: ◗ changes to forestry and farming regimes; ◗ control of grazing animals, particularly deer; ◗ promotion of local markets for local wood products (e.g. charcoal). ● Promote recreational activities which are sensitive to nature conservation objectives.

Issue: loss and neglect of hedges ● Protect existing hedgerows using legislation. ● Restore and re-establish hedgerow boundaries to link existing fragments using locally native species. Cotswold Commons and Beechwoods NNR, Gloucestershire. Peter Wakely/English Nature

South West Region Woodland 20 Characteristic habitats of key Natural Areas 56 61 55 55. Cotswolds

● Internationally important lowland beech and yew 84 woodland on scarp slopes and 87 87 80 in valleys 83 ● Well distributed, significant 93 lowland oak and mixed 92 deciduous wood ● Characteristic lowland wood 95 91 pasture and parkland ● Some large blocks of conifer plantation

56. Severn and Avon Vales 83. Wessex Vales 92. Dartmoor ● Some areas of lowland oak and mixed deciduous wood ● Frequent small areas of ● Internationally important ● Some wet woodland in the lowland oak and mixed upland oak woodland and some river valleys deciduous wood, particularly upland ash woodland ● Several areas of lowland wood coppice ● Frequent wet woodland on pasture and parkland ● Extensive wet woodland along waterlogged ground stream valleys ● Important lowland wood 61. Dean Plateau and Wye ● Scarce but important lowland pasture and parkland, e.g. Valley wood pasture and parkland Whiddon Deer Park

● Extensive areas of lowland 84. Mendip Hills 93. The Culm oak and mixed deciduous woodland ● Upland mixed ash woodland ● Important upland oak ● Significant stands of lowland woodland, particularly along beech and yew woodland 87. Exmoor and the the coast ● Widespread lowland wood Quantocks ● Frequent, usually small, wet woodland pasture and parkland ● Internationally important ● Extensive conifer plantations ● Some wet woodland in the lowland wood pasture and river valleys parkland 95. Cornish Killas and ● Upland mixed ash and upland ● Extensive upland oak woodland Granite oak wood ● Extensive areas of conifer plantations ● A key area for wet woodland 80. South Wessex Downs ● Restricted areas of upland ash ● Good examples of lowland ● Important lowland oak and and wet woodland wood pasture and parkland mixed deciduous woodland ● Scattered areas of lowland oak with yew 91. South Devon and mixed deciduous wood ● Oak woodland along the Fal ● Some lowland wood pasture ● Some extensive areas of and Helford Estuaries and parkland lowland oak and mixed ● Small areas of lowland beech deciduous wood and yew woodland ● Wet woodland with grey willow NB Priority BAP habitats in italics

South West Region Woodland 21 Valleys and Ridges and the Wye South Wessex Downs is a candidate unusual species such as bird cherry, Valley Woodlands in the Dean SAC for yew woodland. is a feature of many rivers, streams Plateau and Wye Valley are and lake margins throughout the candidate Special Areas of Beech woodland is relatively Region, particularly the Cornish Conservation (SAC) for lime-ash widespread along chalk and Killas and Granites. ravine forest. This habitat is found limestone hillsides in southern on steep, rocky slopes and screes of England and a particularly extensive Lowland wood pasture and parkland gorges and is dominated by ash with and species-rich example is found at is often a relict of mediaeval deer wych elm, lime and sycamore. The the Cotswold Beechwoods candidate parks or more recent enclosure. The Mendip Woodlands site is a cluster SAC in the Cotswolds. lichen-rich veteran trees of England of relatively extensive ash-dominated are internationally important and woodland on limestone, mixed with Both upland ash and upland oak these, along with younger trees and either elm or small-leaved lime. A woodland are found in the Region, dead wood, provide a habitat for rich variety of other trees and shrubs most notably on Exmoor and the rare and specialised invertebrates, are present and the site holds a large Quantocks and Dartmoor. The birds, fungi and mosses. BAP population of dormouse. The Avon South Dartmoor Woods are a species include the stag beetle and Gorge Woodlands are important for candidate SAC for their old upland Devil’s bolete fungus. Significant their high concentration of small- oak woods, which show the areas of parkland occur in the leaved lime and rare whitebeams, transition to lowland mixed Wessex Vales, Exmoor and the including two which are unique to woodland with small-leaved lime. Quantocks, Cotswolds, Dean the Avon Gorge. Small groves of The BAP species blue ground beetle Plateau and Wye Valley and the yew occur on stonier locations. The is found in upland oak woodland on Severn and Avon Vales and, to a Wye Valley Woodlands are Dartmoor and the Cornish Killas lesser extent, in the South Wessex important for their diversity of and Granites. Redstarts and pied Downs, Dorset Heaths, Isles of woodland types including flycatchers are characteristic birds of Portland and Purbeck, Dartmoor beechwood and yew groves, for upland oak woods in the Region. and the Devon Redlands. which they are also a candidate SAC, and stands of rare Wet woodland characterised by Extensive areas of conifer plantation whitebeams. Great Yews in the alder, grey willow and, sometimes, are present in some parts of the Region, particularly the Dean Plateau and Wye Valley, Wessex Vales, Dorset Heaths and at Savernake Forest in the Berkshire and Marlborough Downs. Where conifers are established on ancient sites and associated with areas of broadleaved woodland, the restoration to broadleaves should be a priority, but where planted on heathland sites, re-establishment of heathland is the priority.

Scrub is an important part of the woodland mosaic, in particular juniper scrub which is a rare habitat on the southern edge of its range. The best remaining example of lowland juniper scrub on chalk is found among chalk grassland and Great Yews SSSI, Wiltshire. Peter Wakely/English Nature heath on the Salisbury Plain

South West Region Woodland 22 important Natural Areas for species- rich ancient hedgerows in the country. The hedgerows of the Isles of Scilly are one of the few places in Britain that have healthy stands of elm. The dense network of hedges has enabled an unusually high population of song thrushes to thrive.

The South West Region is a stronghold for the greater and lesser horseshoe bats. Both are BAP species which rely on woodland and parkland for feeding, and need buildings close by for maternity roosts and underground locations for hibernation. There are large populations at South Hams in South Devon which has the largest Gidleigh Glen, Devon. Derek Ratcliffe/English Nature maternity roost in England and candidate SAC in the South Wessex semi-natural habitats have the possibly Europe. The Bath and Downs. Mixed scrub around woods highest nature conservation value. Bradford-on-Avon Bats candidate and copses supports many farmland Hedges in the Region often have the SAC in the Bristol Avon Valley and and woodland species. character of woodland with hazel Ridges, the North Somerset and and bluebells in the understorey. Mendip Bats and Mells Valley Hedgerows have been identified as a Many species depend upon candidate SACs in the Mendip Hills significant feature across the whole hedgerows for shelter and food, in have exceptional breeding Region with the exception of the particular bats, dormice and the populations of both species. There larger upland commons, the Mendip linnet, bullfinch, tree sparrow and are regular records from South Hills and Somerset Levels and song thrush, all of which are BAP Devon of the much rarer barbastelle Moors. Ancient and species-rich species. The Blackdowns and bat and less frequent records from hedges which adjoin or link other Wessex Vales is one of the most the Cornish Killas and Granites and Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes. Bechstein’s bat is also rare Candidate Special Areas of Conservation and occurs in the east of the Region. ● Avon Gorge Woodlands (Bristol, Avon Valleys and Ridges) These are both BAP species ● Bath and Bradford-on-Avon Bats (Bristol, Avon Valleys and Ridges) associated with mature deciduous ● Cotswold Beechwoods (Cotswolds) woodland. ● Great Yews (South Wessex Downs) ● Mells Valley (Mendip Hills) Other BAP species found ● Mendip Woodlands (Mendip Hills) throughout the Region include the ● North Somerset and Mendip Bats (Mendip Hills) high brown fritillary and pearl- ● Salisbury Plain (South Wessex Downs) bordered fritillary butterflies, and ● South Hams (South Devon) numerous moths of which the ● South Dartmoor Woods (Dartmoor) double line moth and waved carpet ● Wye Valley Woodlands (Dean Plateau and Wye Valley) moth are particularly widespread. All benefit from open glades and Special Protection Areas rides within the woodland. The rare None true fox-sedge is found in the Severn and Avon Vales.

South West Region Woodland 23 Lowland grassland and heath

he South West Region early gentian, a BAP species that is Key issues and contains large areas of endemic to England, is among the T lowland calcareous many rare and scarce species present objectives grassland, whose quality is reflected in in the Region. It has large the high number of candidate Special populations within the Berkshire and Areas of Conservation (SACs). Marlborough Downs, South Wessex Issue: lack of appropriate Salisbury Plain in the South Wessex Downs, the Isles of Portland and management Downs is the largest surviving Purbeck and Cornish Killas and continuous area of chalk grassland in Granites. Several sites are candidate ● Promote appropriate the country; other remaining chalk SACs for this species. The Region management through: grasslands are mostly small and also contains a large proportion of ◗ extensive, low-intensity isolated. Elsewhere there are notable the British population of the scarce grazing on grasslands and chalk grasslands in the Berkshire and chalk milkwort. The Isles of heaths; Marlborough Downs and in the Isles Portland and Purbeck is notable in ◗ controlled scrub clearance of Portland and Purbeck. The most supporting the largest British on heaths and chalk significant areas of limestone population of early spider orchid. downland. grassland in the Region are in the Chalk and limestone grasslands are Cotswolds, the Mendip Hills and in also rich in invertebrates. BAP South Devon, which each support species in the Region include the Issue: pressure for agricultural nationally scarce or rare grassland chalk carpet moth, silky wave moth, intensification types. Limestone grasslands are also Adonis blue butterfly, shrill carder found in a number of other Natural bee, the brown-banded carder bee ● Avoid further agricultural Areas, including the Dean Plateau and the large blue butterfly, which intensification by: and Wye Valley, the Bristol, Avon has been successfully reintroduced in ◗ encouraging traditional, Valley and Ridges, the Isles of some areas. The chalk grasslands of low-intensity agriculture; Portland and Purbeck, and the Mid Salisbury Plain and Porton Down in ◗ promoting the uptake of Somerset Hills. South Wessex Downs support a agri-environment incentive relatively large proportion of the schemes and organic systems Calcareous grassland is one of the breeding population of stone curlew, where changes in farming richest plant habitats in Britain. The a priority BAP species. practice would benefit wildlife; ◗ creating cereal field margins to halt decline in arable plant species; ◗ reducing use of fertilisers and pesticides.

Issue: opportunities for habitat creation

● Create or restore grassland and heaths from farmland, plantations and secondary woodland, particularly to link existing fragments and increase patch sizes.

Holt Heath NNR, Dorset. Peter Wakely/English Nature

South West Region Lowland grassland and heath 24 Characteristic habitats of key Natural Areas 56 55 55. Cotswolds ● Nationally significant lowland 63 calcareous grassland (on 84 limestone) 80 ● Neutral grassland including 85 species-rich meadows and pasture on lower slopes 90 81 ● Remnant wet grasslands along river valleys 95 82 56. Severn and Avon Vales 97 ● Unimproved neutral grasslands, especially old meadows and pasture ● Small, isolated areas of dry 90. Devon Redlands ● Areas of lowland hay meadows neutral grassland ● Small areas of lowland ● Outstanding lowland heath heathland ● Small areas of dry neutral 82. Isles of Portland and grassland Purbeck 63. Thames and Avon Vales ● Floodplain grazing marsh along ● Considerable lowland Exe Estuary and river valleys ● Wet neutral grasslands in river calcareous grassland on chalk valleys and limestone 95. Cornish Killas and ● Significant dry neutral ● Small areas of acid grassland Granite grasslands including mostly on sandstones small lowland hay meadows ● Some lowland heathland, ● Small area of chalk heath particularly coastal heath 80. South Wessex Downs ● Small areas of dry neutral 84. Mendip Hills grassland on steep valley sides ● Extensive lowland calcareous ● Lowland calcareous grassland ● Areas of coastal parched (dry) grasslands (on chalk) including nationally rare acid grassland ● Significant areas of floodplain limestone types and chalk grazing marsh, particularly the types 97. The Lizard water meadows of the River ● Few large areas of dry neutral Avon and tributaries ● Outstanding lowland heath grassland ● Small areas of lowland ● Unimproved neutral grassland heathland on the cliff tops 85. Somerset Levels and ● Small areas of lowland dry acid Moors 81. Dorset Heaths grassland and lowland ● Largest area of lowland wet calcareous grassland ● Outstanding areas of lowland grassland in England ● Good examples of dry coastal heath including extensive floodplain heath ● Nationally important acid grazing marsh grassland ● Small areas of dry neutral ● Significant areas of floodplain grassland grazing marsh NB Priority BAP habitats in italics

South West Region Lowland grassland and heath 25 Nationally important acid grasslands the Severn and Avon Vales and the occur in the Dorset Heaths, where Somerset Levels and Moors are they are associated with heathland designated as a Special Protection vegetation. Other areas of acid Area (SPA) for the internationally grassland occur across the Region, important numbers of birds they including the Devon Redlands, the support. Bristol Avon Valleys and Ridges, Wessex Vales, in the Dean Plateau Cereal field margins are an important and Wye Valley and in the Thames feature of arable land in the Region. and Avon Vales. In the Mendip Hills In some parts, particularly the and in the Isles of Portland and Cornish Killas and Granites and the Purbeck acid grassland is unusually South Wessex Downs, they are associated with limestone overlain by reasonably species-rich and support superficial deposits of sands and BAP plant species such as pennyroyal, gravels. The coast and cliffs of perfoliate penny-cress, cornflower, Exmoor and the Quantocks also have shepherd’s-needle and broad-fruited notable areas of acid grassland. cornsalad. Owing to the regular cycle of cultivation the bulb fields of the Neutral grasslands are a characteristic Isles of Scilly support many rare feature in some parts and small areas arable plants including the western of dry neutral grasslands occur in ramping-fumitory, which occurs in many parts of the Region, for example Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and Early purple orchid. Peter Wakely/English Nature in Bristol, Avon Valley and Ridges, purple ramping-fumitory. A number the Vale of Taunton and the other river valleys in the Devon of BAP birds are associated with Quantock Fringes, and the Devon Redlands are particularly significant. farmland and grasslands in the Region Redlands. There are notable old Smaller amounts of wet grassland are including the grey partridge, skylark, meadows in the Thames and Avon found in the river valleys of the turtle dove and tree sparrow. The cirl Vales, Wessex Vales and the Dorset Heaths, and along the Kennet bunting, a rare BAP species, occurs Cotswolds, and those in the Severn and Lambourn floodplains in the only in the South West Region where and Avon Vales and Dean Plateau Berkshire and Marlborough Downs. it is associated with the lowland and Wye Valley feature wild daffodils. Dartmoor and Exmoor and the farmland of South Devon and along Lowland hay meadows are a species- Quantocks have wet grasslands that the coastal fringe of the Devon rich and scarce habitat. They are merge into ‘Culm’ grasslands, a Redlands. The brown hare occurs on scattered throughout the Region, habitat dealt with under bog, fen and farmland in many areas in the Region. particularly the Somerset Levels and swamp. Moors and in the Thames and Avon There are large areas of lowland heath Vales which includes North Meadow Wet grasslands have a distinctive in the Region that form a number of and Clattinger Farm, a candidate vegetation that can withstand being candidate SACs. Extensive areas of SAC. A very high proportion of the waterlogged and those of the Thames dry heath, dominated by heather, bell British population of fritillary is found and Avon Vales are notable for the heather and gorses, and wet heath here. only colony of creeping marshwort in with cross-leaved heath, occur in the Britain. The invertebrate fauna is Dorset Heaths, Devon Redlands and There are large areas of wet neutral also significant and the wet grasslands Cornish Killas and Granite, with grassland in the Region, including of the Region are a major stronghold smaller but notable areas in Exmoor numerous grazing marshes, wet for the marsh fritillary butterfly, a and the Quantocks, the Vale of meadows and pastures along BAP species. Three sites here are Taunton and the Quantock Fringes, floodplains and river valleys. Those candidate SACs for this species. Blackdowns, and The Culm. associated with river systems in the Many of the wet grasslands also Fragments of lowland heathland also Severn and Avon Vales, the Thames support breeding and wintering birds, occur in many other Natural Areas in and Avon Vales and along the such as Bewick’s swans and teal. the Region. A rare form of wet heath, floodplains of the Exe Estuary and Sites such as Walmore Common in characterised by Dorset heath Erica

South West Region Lowland grassland and heath 26 ciliaris, is confined to the Region where it occurs mostly in the Dorset Heaths Natural Area, with fragments in the Cornish Killas and Granites.

The Lizard has a unique type of heathland that found nowhere else in Britain. Dominated by Cornish heath Erica vagans, the heathland here contains an unusual mixture of species typical of both acid and basic soils. The vegetation ranges from cliff-top heath, rich in maritime species such as spring squill, to more inland heaths with bristle bent and the nationally rare liverwort, Lizard crystalwort. The Lizard is a candidate SAC for this heathland type. Other heathland with a maritime influence occurs in the Scilly Isles, where the Carrine Common, Cornwall. Peter Wakely/English Nature heaths are rich in lichens, and in The Culm, where small areas of maritime heath and wet heath merge into Candidate Special Areas of Conservation ‘Culm’ grassland. ● Carrine Common (Cornish Killas and Granites) ● Culm Grasslands (The Culm) The heathlands support a number of ● Dorset Heaths (Dorset Heaths) rare and uncommon species including ● the marsh gentian, which mainly Dorset Heaths [Purbeck and Wareham] and Studland Dunes occurs in the wet heathland of the (Dorset Heaths) Dorset Heaths. Heathlands are ● East Devon Pebblebed Heaths (Devon Redlands) valuable habitats for invertebrates ● Fontmell and Melbury Downs (South Wessex Downs) such as the dune tiger beetle and the ● Godrevy Head to St Agnes (Cornish Killas and Granites) rare narrow-headed ant, both BAP ● Isle of Portland and Studland Cliffs (Isles of Portland and Purbeck) species. The Dorset Heaths are an ● Newlyn Downs (Cornish Killas and Granites) important area for the smooth snake, ● North Meadow and Clattinger Farm (Thames and Avon Vales) and are also the main stronghold in ● Pewsey Downs (Berkshire and Marlborough Downs) Britain for the sand lizard, a priority ● Prescombe Down (South Wessex Downs) BAP species. Natural populations of ● Rodborough Common (Cotswolds) sand lizards are present on the Dorset ● Rooksmoor (Wessex Vales) Heaths, and populations have been ● Salisbury Plain (South Wessex Downs) re-introduced to the Cornish Killas ● St Albans Head to Durlston Head (Isles of Portland and Purbeck) and Granites and Devon Redlands. ● The Lizard (The Lizard) The extensive heathlands of the Dorset Heaths and Devon Redlands Special Protection Areas hold important populations of ● Dorset Heathlands (Dorset Heath) characteristic heathland birds, such as ● Porton Down (South Wessex Downs) nightjar, woodlark and the rare ● Salisbury Plain (South Wessex Downs) Dartford warbler. The Dorset ● Somerset Levels and Moors (Somerset Levels and Moors) Heathlands are a SPA for these ● species and for wintering hen harrier Walmore Common (Severn and Avon Vales) and merlin.

South West Region Lowland grassland and heath 27 Upland grassland and heath

Key issues and objectives

Issue: habitat fragmentation

● Restore and re-create upland heathland especially where this would link existing fragments. ● Prevent further loss of upland heath to grass moor or bracken.

Issue: inappropriate management

● Where overgrazing is occurring, reduce stocking levels. Helman’s Tor, Cornwall. Peter Wakely/English Nature ● Ensure burning regimes are appropriate. here are three upland Dartmoor also has extensive areas of Natural Areas in the South internationally important upland T West Region: Bodmin heathland characterised by heather, Issue: pressure for agricultural Moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor and bilberry, cross-leaved heath and intensification the Quantocks. These are the western gorse. The Dartmoor warmest upland areas in England, a candidate SAC is predominantly wet ● Avoid further agricultural fact reflected in their unusual range heath and blanket bog which, intensification by promoting of species. together with small areas of dry the uptake of agri- heath and some mire communities, environment and other Exmoor and the Quantocks supports form a distinctive mosaic of environmental support the largest areas of internationally vegetation types. Most of the schemes. important dry upland heath in the vegetation communities on Region. Dominated by dwarf Dartmoor are extremely rare outside shrubs, this is a characteristic habitat the UK. Bodmin Moor has only Issue: management of common land of the area and becomes wet upland small fragments of heathland heath on the wetter plateau tops. remaining and these are mainly ● Encourage the formation of The Exmoor Heaths are a candidate confined to the south of the Moor. commoners’ associations, Special Area of Conservation (SAC) agreement on appropriate for extensive areas of upland heath, Upland heathland in the Region management, and the uptake parts of which are characterised by supports a number of species on the of agri-environment lowland species. Unusual plants southern edge of their range such as agreements. include the lesser twayblade and fir red grouse, golden plover and stag’s- clubmoss. Crowberry and cranberry horn clubmoss, and others that are occur here at the southern edge of rare in the Region such as ring ouzel. their range. The Exmoor Heaths are the largest stronghold in Britain Upland acid grassland occurs within a for the heath fritillary butterfly, a mosaic of habitats and extensive areas BAP species. are found on both Bodmin Moor and

South West Region Upland grassland and heath 28 Dartmoor, largely as a result of the heavy grazing of heathland. These grass moors occur on mineral soils or shallow peat and are characterised by bristle bent. Distinguishing between upland and lowland acid grassland is often difficult on both of these moors, the lower fringes sometimes having a rich lowland flora, including 87 87 chamomile and heath violet.

The heathlands and grasslands are 92 important for a range of invertebrates, such as the hornet robberfly, heath, high brown and pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies (all BAP species) and birds such as merlin, skylark, raven, wheatear and stonechat. Characteristic habitats of key Natural Areas

87. Exmoor and the Quantocks

● Internationally important areas of dry upland heath ● Small areas of wet upland heath

92. Dartmoor

● Internationally important areas of wet upland heath and blanket bog

Exmoor National Park, Dartmoor. Peter Wakely/English Nature

Candidate Special Areas of Conservation ● Dartmoor (Dartmoor) ● Exmoor Heaths (Exmoor and the Quantocks)

Special Protection Areas None NB Priority BAP habitats in italics

South West Region Upland grassland and heath 29 Maritime

he coastline of the South produced stepped undercliffs. Hard Key issues and West Region is dominated cliffs dominate the coastline from T by long, scenic stretches of Lyme Bay westwards to Land’s End, objectives cliffs cut into sedimentary, igneous and these tall, near-vertical cliffs of and metamorphic rocks. The South sedimentary and igneous rock are Dorset Coast has hard limestone broken only by the mouths of Issue: maintenance of coastal cliffs interspersed with soft chalk estuaries and rivers. The famous processes cliffs, sands and clays, while Lyme headland of the Lizard has unusual ● Maintain natural, dynamic Bay has a continuous stretch of base-rich igneous and acid coastal processes by: unstable soft cliffs between metamorphic cliffs and these support ◗ promoting the use of ‘soft’ Sidmouth and West Bay, where engineering for sea defences, diverse plant communities, including for example by managed mudslides and landslips have many rare species. Land’s End to retreat; ◗ avoiding dredging and sand extraction that would remove sediment from the system, for example by recycling dredge spoil for beach nourishment; ◗ ensuring an integrated, holistic approach to coastal planning activities through Shoreline Management Plans.

Issue: water quality ● Improve water quality by: ◗ reducing inputs of untreated sewage effluents; ◗ reducing contamination from industrial discharges and agricultural run-off.

Issue: recreation and tourism ● Avoid detrimental impacts on key wildlife features by ensuring that recreation and tourism is consistent with maintaining wildlife features.

Issue: fisheries ● Encourage and promote fishing practices that: ◗ sustain populations of the target species; ◗ avoid detrimental impacts on wildlife such as sea bed communities and birds.

Lizard NNR, Cornwall. Peter Wakely/English Nature

South West Region Maritime 30 Characteristic habitats of key Natural Areas

109. Solent and Poole Bay ● Sand dunes at Studland Bay ● Vegetated shingle, e.g. at mouths 116 of Christchurch Harbour and 115 Poole Harbour ● Lagoons, e.g. in Poole Harbour ● Large areas of saltmarsh, e.g in Poole Harbour and 114 Christchurch Harbour ● Large areas of intertidal mudflats in estuaries and 111 110 109 embayments 113 112 110. South Dorset Coast ● Outstanding, large brackish lagoon at the Fleet ● Extensive hard limestone cliffs ● Small number of saline lagoons ● Sand dune systems, including and soft chalk cliffs in Cornwall several extensive sites ● Shingle beach ● Saltmarshes in the shelter of ● Vegetated shingle at Porlock, also ● Saltmarsh at Lodmoor estuaries shingle beaches within ● Extensive intertidal rocky shores ● Intertidal sandflats and mudflats Barnstaple Bay ● Intertidal mudflats and sandflats in estuaries and embayments ● Saltmarsh in estuaries, most in Weymouth Bay ● Extensive areas of exposed, (except Taw-Torridge) covering ● Subtidal sediments, mostly rocky intertidal shores small areas sands and gravels ● Large subtidal sandbanks in ● Exposed, rocky intertidal shores ● Subtidal rocky reefs embayments and off the open ● Subtidal reefs, including rock coast platforms and rock outcrops 111. Lyme Bay ● Rocky reefs in the subtidal, ● Colonies of the reef-building ● Soft, unstable cliffs between including outstanding worm Sabellaria alveolata Lyme Regis and Axmouth; development of maerl, e.g. St high, hard rock cliffs to the west Mawes Bank 115. Bridgwater Bay ● Sand dunes at Dawlish Warren ● Sand dunes at Berrow ● 113. Isles of Scilly Outstanding vegetated shingle ● Vegetated shingle beach at Steart beaches at Chesil and Slapton ● Small sand dune system on St ● Lagoon at Catsford Common Ley, also some bare shingle Mary’s ● Large area of saltmarsh beaches ● Lagoon at Bryher ● Extensive intertidal sandflats ● Intertidal sandy beaches within ● Extensive areas of intertidal and mudflats in estuary mouth Tor Bay sandflats ● Extensive areas of subtidal ● Intertidal and subtidal rocky ● Well developed sheltered beds of sandbanks reefs seagrasses ● Well-developed reefs of ● Rocky intertidal shores 116. Severn Estuary Sabellaria alveolata in coves ● Extensive subtidal sandbanks ● Substantial areas of saltmarsh with seagrass beds ● Substantial areas of intertidal 112. Start Point to Land’s ● Many marine species not sandflats and mudflats End recorded on the mainland ● Extensive areas of highly mobile ● Tall, vertical hard cliffs sandbanks 114. Land’s End to Minehead developed in igneous and ● Extensive subtidal reef of metamorphic rocks ● Mostly hard cliffs dominated by Sabellaria alveolata ● Sand dunes in St Austell’s Bay sedimentary rocks, with some ● Vegetated shingle beaches within slumped sections the Fal Estuary, at Loe Bar and NB Priority BAP habitats in italics Penzance

South West Region Maritime 31 Cape Cornwall-Botallack Head, Cornwall. Peter Wakely/English Nature

Minehead is dominated by very The largest sand dune systems in the Owing to their greater diversity of exposed, vertical cliffs of hard Region occur along the exposed coast vegetation, the larger dune systems sedimentary rocks, with some of Land’s End to Minehead, for are often richer in species and some intervening slumped sections; the example at Braunton Burrows, support BAP plants such as water Exmoor coastline has some of the Gwithian to Mexico Towans, and at germander, petalwort and sand finest examples of ‘hogsback’ cliffs in Penhale Sands. A notable feature of crocus, which occurs only in the Britain. Several stretches of cliffs in some of these sites is that the dunes South West Region. The damp the Region are candidate Special are blown against cliffs, and in some dune slacks at Braunton Burrows are Areas of Conservation (SACs). cases, over the top of cliffs. Like many one of only three known sites in other dunes on the north coast of Britain for the sandbowl snail, and A large number of rare and scarce Devon and Cornwall, the dunes of the dune heath at Studland supports plants occur on these cliffs with a Braunton Burrows and Penhale Sands all six native species of reptile, number of species that are mostly support relatively large areas of mobile including the sand lizard, which is a restricted to this Region. These dunes with marram, dune grassland priority BAP species. include several BAP species such as and dune slacks. On the southern white rock-rose, goldilocks, shore coast of the Region the only large Vegetated shingle habitats in the dock, and Lundy cabbage which is dune system is at Studland Bay in the Region are dominated by the found only on Lundy Island and is Solent and Poole Bay; this site has a extensive shingle beaches of Chesil host to an endemic beetle. Several range of vegetation including Beach and Slapton Ley, both within sites in the South West Region are embryonic dunes, mobile dunes with Lyme Bay. Chesil Beach encloses candidate SACs for their marram, dune slack and the only large the Fleet, a large brackish lagoon, populations of shore dock. dune heath in the south of Britain. and the shingle supports a varied

South West Region Maritime 32 vegetation including an unusual scrub of shrubby sea-blite and sea purslane. The shingle at Slapton Ley is also rich in plants and encloses a freshwater lagoon. Other major areas of vegetated shingle occur at Porlock within Land’s End to Minehead, and at Steart in Bridgwater Bay. A number of uncommon plants occur on shingle in the Region, including large populations of sea pea and sea kale. Shingle often supports a specialised invertebrate fauna. One site of particular note is Loe Bar in Start Point to Land’s End, which is the only known site for the Cornish Woolacombe Sands, Devon. Peter Wakely/English Nature sandhill rustic moth. Elsewhere in the Region there are a number of largely bare shingle beaches, a Candidate Special Areas of Conservation number of which also enclose ● Braunton Burrows (Land’s End to Minehead) lagoons, such as Swanpool by the ● Chesil and the Fleet (Lyme Bay, South Dorset Coast) Fal Estuary. ● Dorset Heaths (Purbeck and Wareham) and Studland Dunes (Solent and Poole Bay) The Fleet is by far England’s largest ● Fal and Helford (Start Point to Land’s End) brackish lagoon and is very rich in ● Isle of Portland to Studland Cliffs (South Dorset Coast) plants and animals, with more than ● Isles of Scilly Complex (Isles of Scilly) 200 species recorded. These include ● Lundy (Land’s End to Minehead) a number of rare and scarce species, ● Penhale Dunes (Land’s End to Minehead) such as the lagoon sand worm and ● Plymouth Sound and Estuaries (Start Point to Land’s End) DeFolin’s lagoon snail, and ● The Lizard (Start Point to Land’s End) substantial populations of the foxtail ● Tintagel-Marsland-Clovelly Coast (Land’s End to Minehead) stonewort. Elsewhere in the Region ● Sidmouth to West Bay (Lyme Bay) there are few lagoons, most of which ● South Devon Shore Dock (Start Point to Land’s End) cover only very small areas. Of ● St Albans Head to Durlston Bay (South Dorset Coast) particular note is the lagoon at ● Studland Dunes (Solent and Poole Bay) Swanpool. This is the only site in Britain for the trembling sea mat and Potential Special Areas of Conservation it is one of few British localities for ● Severn Estuary/Môr Hafren (Severn Estuary; plus part of site in the copepod Ergasilus lizae, which is Wales) parasitic on grey mullet. Special Protection Areas As the coastline of the Region is ● Chesil Beach and the Fleet (Lyme Bay) largely exposed or cliffed, ● Exe Estuary (Start Point to Land’s End) saltmarshes have developed only in ● Poole Harbour (Solent and Poole Bay) the sheltered estuaries. Many of ● Severn Estuary (Severn Estuary; Bridgwater Bay; plus part of site in these estuaries are predominantly Wales) narrow or sinuous so saltmarsh is ● Tamar Estuaries Complex (Start Point to Land’s End) limited. However, there are extensive ● Upper Severn Estuary (Severn Estuary; plus part of site in Wales) areas in large estuaries such as the

South West Region Maritime 33 Gerrans Bay to Camels Cove SSSI, Cornwall. Peter Wakely/English Nature

Severn, where most of the saltmarsh is Helford Estuary, which supports sandflats in the shelter of the Isles of grazed, in Bridgwater Bay, in the Exe marine communities of national Scilly, with smaller areas in the shelter Estuary, in the estuaries of Plymouth importance. Elsewhere in the Region of headlands and embayments, such Sound, and in Poole Bay, where the there are smaller stretches of rocky as at Weymouth. vegetation is dominated by common shore, such as the cobble, pebble and cord-grass. The saltmarsh of the sand beaches backed by high cliffs in The most extensive intertidal flats upper Tamar-Tavy Estuary (part of Lyme Bay. support large populations of wintering Plymouth Sound) is the only site in birds. Bridgwater Bay, the Severn Britain for triangular club-rush, a Owing to the exposed nature of much Estuary, the Exe Estuary, Poole BAP species. of the coastline the largest areas of Harbour and the Fleet are of intertidal sediments occur within the international importance for wintering There are extensive rocky shores shelter of estuaries and embayments. waterfowl, with large populations of along the coast of Devon and The most extensive intertidal flats are Bewick’s swan, shelduck, gadwall, Cornwall. These range from very in Bridgwater Bay and the Severn dunlin, redshank, avocet, black-tailed exposed rocky shores from Land’s Estuary, where the large tidal range godwit, oystercatcher and dark-bellied End to Minehead, which support means that much of the sediment is brent goose. These sites are classified barnacles, limpets and seaweeds, to mobile sandflats, with sheltered as Special Protection Areas (SPAs). more sheltered shores eastwards of mudflats only in the uppermost the Lizard that have rich communities reaches. Other large areas of Subtidal sediments vary greatly of sponges, hydroids and sea squirts. intertidal flats are found in the Exe around the coastline. North of Land’s Rocky shores also extend into several Estuary, Plymouth Sound and the End the subtidal sediments are largely of the estuaries where the conditions estuary of the Taw-Torridge. On the sands and gravels, with extensive are very sheltered, for example in the open coast there are intertidal sandbanks in the Severn Estuary that

South West Region Maritime 34 Godrevy Head to St Agnes SSSI, Cornwall. Peter Wakely/English Nature are highly mobile. In Bridgwater Bay its most northerly location. There chalk reef close to the cliffs at White there is a large area of more stable, are extensive areas of subtidal Nothe, and a Portland Limestone subtidal mudflats. East of Land’s bedrock off Land’s End, around the reef runs parallel to the shore from End, the sea bed is covered by a Isles of Scilly and off the Lizard, with Durdle Dor to White Nothe. This mostly thin layer of gravels, formed of well-developed kelp beds including limestone reef is rich in sponges. pebbles of flint, chalk, sandstone, the south-western species Laminaria Further east, the rocky shore at limestone and ironstone. In Lyme ochroleuca, and communities of Kimmeridge Bay descends into the Bay, the thicker deposits of sand and sponges, hydroids and sea squirts. In subtidal to a submerged, former cliff- sandy muds support an extremely the shelter of the Fal and Helford line. diverse fauna. Estuaries there are beds of maerl, an unusual calcareous alga. The Fal has The coast and seas of the Region are There are substantial subtidal rocky one of the largest maerl beds in also important for a number of animal reefs off the coast of the Region. In England. Further east there are species. Small numbers of grey seals the outer reaches of the Severn discrete reefs such as Eddystone breed in caves, on islands and on Estuary a large, subtidal rock outcrop Rocks south of Plymouth Sound, and beaches from Land’s End to supports an extensive area of the reef- East Rutt Pinnacle, off Bolt Tail. Minehead and at an isolated location building worms Sabellaria alveolata Lyme Bay also has large areas of in Start Point to Land’s End. The and S. spinulosa. The island of subtidal reefs, for example at Lane’s waters off the north coast of Devon Lundy is an outstanding granite and Ground, West Tennants and East and Cornwall are the richest area in slate reef system with an unusually Tennants, and Eastern Heads, which southern Britain for whales, dolphins, diverse complex of marine habitats support sea fans and rich porpoises and basking sharks, and and communities, including the communities of sponges. Off the there are frequent sightings of marine sunset coral (a BAP species), here at South Dorset coast there is a shallow turtles off Land’s End.

South West Region Maritime 35 Annex 1: Benchmarks for nature

he conservation of nature is plan, nature conservation strategy Biodiversity and Earth a key test of sustainable or priority setting document for heritage T development. The list nature; any Government Planning below provides a set of questions to Policy Guidance or Regional ● Will any areas with be applied as positive indicators for Planning Guidance; Local local/national/international biodiversity and Earth heritage, Development Plans/Unitary designation for nature where relevant strategies, policies, Development Plans/Structure conservation be affected or projects and programmes are under Plans/etc? directly damaged? consideration. These may include ● Is there active contribution to the ● Is there scope for the developments such as agricultural resolution of Natural Area issues enhancement of biodiversity improvement or intensification, and the delivery of UK, Regional through the provision of: coastal and flood defence works and and Local Biodiversity Action Plan opportunities for achieving the water abstraction, as well as built targets and Natural Area objectives? targets for priority habitats and development or infrastructure such ● Has there been an appraisal of the species in the context of UK, as roads, rail and energy. environmental impact of policies, Regional and Local Biodiversity plans and programmes within Action Plans; improved habitat Regional strategic documents? and/or the creation of additional Policy links (See: the eight step approach in habitat for plants and animals, ● Is there compatibility with Department of the Environment, appropriate to the local character? relevant policies within: any Transport and the Regions Policy ● Will any non-designated habitat local/regional Biodiversity Action Guidance: ‘Policy Appraisal and such as woodland, grassland and Plan, sustainable development the Environment’, DETR 1998) other vegetation, linking habitats

Newtown First School, Exeter. Neville Kettell/English Nature

South West Region Annex 1 36 such as trees, hedges, grass strips, development that impacts on ditches, that may be destroyed, or natural processes; etc.) fragmented be fully ● Is there scope for the enhancement compensated/mitigated for? of geological interest? (e.g. ● Do any plant and tree planting Through the improvement of programmes use an appropriate geological exposures or features; mix of species native to the the creation of additional geological Natural Area in question? exposures or features, etc.) ● Will any habitat be in danger of abandonment, under management, change or intensification of Environmental good management? (e.g. Overgrazing, practice for nature loss of crop rotations and arable- ● Has an environmental impact pasture mosaics; shift from spring assessment been carried out? sown to autumn sown cereals, loss ● Will post implementation impacts of winter stubbles, application of be assessed and managed by artificial fertiliser, etc. - leading to regular review and monitoring impacts on associated farmland programmes? species) ● Will any habitat be in danger of a secondary or indirect damage? (e.g. Community Wetland or aquatic habitats and ecosystems in danger of drying out, involvement for nature loss or degradation as a result of ● Will all sections of the community over-abstraction of surface and be consulted as part of the Exe Estuary, Devon. groundwaters, pollution and decision making process? Peter Wakely/English Nature eutrophication of surface and ● Have the needs of local to gain access to nature and groundwaters; development in a communities for access to, and wildspace? flood plain which may require experience of, nature been taken ● Will there be a contribution to canalisation of watercourses into account? improving the quality of life by impacting on river valley wetlands ● Does the project help vulnerable, local inhabitants, for example: and aquatic ecosystems; coastal disadvantaged or excluded groups through improved general access to nature, but in particular on foot or by public transport? Designated areas ● Will local distinctiveness for National/International Nature Conservation Designations: nature be valued, and community Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and cultural identity be National Nature Reserves (NNR) strengthened? Special Protection Areas (SPA) ● Will community enterprises for Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) nature be encouraged? Ramsar Sites Local Nature Conservation Designations (often non-statutory but recognised in local plans, PPG and other similar documents): Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC - locally other terms may be used) Local Nature Reserves (LNR) Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites (RIGS) (Modified and adapted from a document Non-statutory nature reserves produced by the Environment & Energy Management Team, Government Office for the South West).

South West Region Annex 1 37 Annex 2: Sources of information

ach Natural Area has an English Nature. In prep. Overview of Porley, R. and McDonnell, A. 1997. associated profile which coastal habitats by Natural Area. Rare and scarce vascular plants and E contains the issues and English Nature, Peterborough. bryophytes in Natural Areas. English objectives specific to that ecological Nature Research Report No. 267. unit. These have already been Gardiner, A.J. 1996. Freshwater English Nature, Peterborough. passed on to our key partners, wetlands in England. A Natural including local authorities. The Areas approach. English Nature Reid, C.M., Kirby, K.J. and Cooke, complete set of profiles for England Research Report No. 204. English R.J. 1996. A preliminary assessment is available from English Nature’s Nature, Peterborough. of woodland conservation in England local teams on a CD-ROM. by Natural Areas. English Nature Research Report No. 186. English Grice, P.V., Brown, A.F., Carter, I.C. Nature, Peterborough. National overviews of habitats, and Rankine, C.A. 1994. Birds in species and earth heritage England: a Natural Areas approach. Sanderson, N.A. 1998. A review of English Nature Research Report No. Brown, A.E., Burn, A.J., Hopkins, the extent, conservation interest and 114. English Nature, Peterborough. J.J. and Way, S.F. (Editors). 1997. management of lowland acid The Habitats Directive: selection of grassland in England. Volume I: Special Areas of Conservation in the Jefferson, R.G. 1997. Lowland Overview. English Nature Research UK. Joint Nature Conservation grassland in Natural Areas. National Report No. 259. English Nature, Committee Report No. 270. Joint assessment of significance. English Peterborough. Nature Conservation Committee, Nature Research Report No. 171. Peterborough. English Nature, Peterborough. Sanderson, N.A. 1998. A review of the extent, conservation interest and Drake, M., Clements, D., Eyre, M., King, A., Glasser, N., Larwood, J., management of lowland acid Gibbs, D. and Kirby, P. 1998. Littlewood, A., Moat, T. and Page, grassland in England. Volume II: Invertebrates and their habitats in K. 1996. Earth heritage County Descriptions. English Nature Natural Areas. Volume 1: Midland conservation in England: a Natural Research Report No. 259. English and Northern Areas. English Nature Areas perspective. English Nature Nature, Peterborough. Research Report No. 298. English Research Report No. 158. English Nature, Peterborough. Nature, Peterborough. All available free from the Enquiry Service, English Nature, Drake, M., Clements, D., Eyre, M., Kirby, K. and Reid, C. 1997. Northminster House, Peterborough Gibbs, D. and Kirby, P. 1998. Preliminary nature conservation PE1 1UA Tel. 01733 455101 Invertebrates and their habitats in objectives for Natural Areas. Fax. 01733 568834. Natural Areas. Volume 2: Southern Woodland and forestry. English Areas. English Nature Research Report Nature Research Report No. 239. Natural Areas CD-ROM No. 298. English Nature, English Nature, Peterborough. Peterborough. Available, priced £15, from Telelink Ltd., PO Box 100, Fareham, Michael, N. 1996. Lowland Drewitt, A.L., and Manley, V.J. Hampshire PO14 2SX Tel. 01329 heathland in England. A Natural 1997. The vegetation of the 331300 Fax. 01329 330034. Areas approach. English Nature mountains and moorlands of Research Report No. 170. English England. English Nature Research Natural Area Profiles Report No. 218. English Nature, Nature, Peterborough. Peterborough. The individual profiles used in this Mitchell-Jones, A.J. and Gent, A.H. report are available from the Local English Nature 1997. Wildlife and 1997. Priority Natural Areas for Team, address and telephone number fresh water, an agenda for sustainable mammals, reptiles and amphibians. shown on the back cover, or can be management. English Nature, English Nature Research Report No. found on English Nature’s web page Peterborough. 242. English Nature, Peterborough. at www.english-nature.org.uk.

South West Region Annex 2 38 1 98

2

5 3 120 99 6 9 4 11 10 7

119 17 100 8 18

16 118 12 15 19 20 13 14 21 117 24 22 101 26 23 25 34 35 36 30 27 29 32 103 28 31 33 102 47 41 40 38 104 48 24 39 37 Key 42 46 43 45 County boundary 58 Character Area boundary (Natural 57 44 50

Areas consist of one or more 52 51 49 105 59 56 54 Character Areas) 60 61 53 55

64 65 66 106 116 63 67 62 79 68 115 70 86 84 85 69 87 78 107 87 80 86 88 73 86 72 71 83 74 93 89 77 75 90 114 81 76 108 94 92 82 82 109 Grid 111 North 95 91 110

96 113 97 112

1 North Northumberland Coastal Plain 25 Dark Peak 49 Suffolk Coast and Heaths 73 Low Weald and Pevensey 97 The Lizard 2 Border Uplands 26 Urban Mersey Basin 50 East Anglian Plain 74 South Downs 98 Northumberland Coast 3 Solway Basin 27 Meres and Mosses 51 East Anglian Chalk 75 South Coast Plain and Hampshire Lowlands 99 Tyne to Tees Coast 4 North Pennines 28 Potteries and Churnet Valley 52 West Anglian Plain 76 Isle of Wight 100 Saltburn to Bridlington 5 Northumbria Coal Measures 29 South West Peak 53 Bedfordshire Greensand Ridge 77 New Forest 101 Bridlington to Skegness 6 Durham Magnesian Limestone Plateau 30 White Peak 54 Yardley-Whittlewood Ridge 78 Hampshire Downs 102 The Wash 7 Tees Lowlands 31 Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent 55 Cotswolds 79 Berkshire and Marlborough Downs 103 Old Hunstanton to Sheringham 8 Yorkshire Dales 32 Sherwood 56 Severn and Avon Vales 80 South Wessex Downs 104 Sheringham to Lowestoft 9 Eden Valley 33 Trent Valley and Rises 57 Malvern Hills and Teme Valley 81 Dorset Heaths 105 Suffolk Coast 10 Cumbria Fells and Dales 34 North Lincolnshire Coversands and Clay Vales 58 Clun and North West Herefordshire Hills 82 Isles of Portland and Purbeck 106 North Kent Coast 11 West Cumbria Coastal Plain 35 Lincolnshire Wolds 59 Central Herefordshire 83 Wessex Vales 107 East Kent Coast 12 Forest of Bowland 36 Lincolnshire Coast and Marshes 60 Black Mountains and Golden Valley 84 Mendip Hills 108 Folkestone to Selsey Bill 13 Lancashire Plain and Valleys 37 The Fens 61 Dean Plateau and Wye Valley 85 Somerset Levels and Moors 109 Solent and Poole Bay 14 Southern Pennines 38 Lincolnshire and Rutland Limestone 62 Bristol, Avon Valleys and Ridges 86 Mid Somerset Hills 110 South Dorset Coast 15 Pennine Dales Fringe 39 Charnwood 63 Thames and Avon Vales 87 Exmoor and the Quantocks 111 Lyme Bay 16 Vale of York and Mowbray 40 Needwood and South Derbyshire Claylands 64 Midvale Ridge 88 Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes 112 Start Point to Land’s End 17 North York Moors and Hills 41 Oswestry Uplands 65 Chilterns 89 Blackdowns 113 Isles of Scilly 18 Vale of Pickering 42 Shropshire Hills 66 London Basin 90 Devon Redlands 114 Land’s End to Minehead 19 Yorkshire Wolds 43 Midlands Plateau 67 Greater Thames Estuary 91 South Devon 115 Bridgwater Bay 20 Holderness 44 Midland Clay Pastures 68 North Kent Plain 92 Dartmoor 116 Severn Estuary 21 Humber Estuary 45 Rockingham Forest 69 North Downs 93 The Culm 117 Liverpool Bay 22 Humberhead Levels 46 Breckland 70 Wealden Greensand 94 Bodmin Moor 118 Morecambe Bay 23 Southern Magnesian Limestone 47 North Norfolk 71 Romney Marshes 95 Cornish Killas and Granites 119 Cumbrian Coast 24 Coal Measures 48 The Broads 72 High Weald 96 West Penwith 120 Solway Firth

Based upon the Ordnance Survey 1:10000 maps with permission of the controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright Revised to December 1996 1.SouthDorsetCoast 110. Wessex Vales 83. IslesofPortland and 82. DorsetHeaths 81. Natural Areasforwhichtheylead: Fax. 01929554752 Tel. 01929556688 BH20 5BN Dorset Wareham Arne Slepe Farm Dorset Team SevernEstuary 116. BridgwaterBay 115. Vale ofTaunton and 88. ExmoorandtheQuantocks 87. MidSomersetHills 86. SomersetLevelsandMoors 85. MendipHills 84. Bristol,Avon Valley and 62. Natural Areasforwhichtheylead: Fax. 01823272978 Tel. 01823283211 TA1 5AA Somerset Taunton Bishop’s Hull Roughmoor (Regional LeadTeam) Somerset &Avon Team Purbeck Quantock Fringes Ridges English NatureLocalTeams intheSouthWest Regionand 1.Land’s EndtoMinehead 114. IslesofScilly 113. StartPointtoLand’s End 112. Lyme Bay 111. TheLizard 97. West Penwith 96. CornishKillasandGranites 95. BodminMoor 94. Natural Areasforwhichtheylead: Fax. 01872262551 Tel. 01872262550 TR1 2PA Cornwall Truro Strangways Villas Trevint House (Cornwall) TheCulm 93. Dartmoor 92. SouthDevon 91. DevonRedlands 90. Blackdowns 89. Natural Areasforwhichtheylead: Fax. 0183755046 Tel. 0183755045 EX20 1AR Devon Okehampton 37 NorthStreet The OldMillHouse (Devon) of ScillyTeam &Isles Devon, Cornwall ISBN 185716456 3©EnglishNature1999 Web site:http://www.english-nature.org.uk English Nature,NorthminsterHouse, PeterboroughPE11UA This isoneofarangepublications publishedbyPublicity&Marketing, natural featuresthroughoutEngland. English Natureisthegovernment agencythatchampionswildlifeand Natural Areasforwhichtheylead 1 DeanPlateauandWye 61. SevernandAvon Vales 56. Cotswolds 55. Natural Areasforwhichtheylead: Fax. 01531638501 Tel. 01531638500 HR8 1EP Herefordshire Nr. Ledbury Eastnor Bronsil House Three CountiesTeam 0 SouthWessex Downs 80. BerkshireandMarlborough 79. Natural Areasforwhichtheylead: Fax. 01380721411 Tel. 01380726344 SN20 2RT Wiltshire Devizes Hambleton Avenue Prince MauriceCourt Wiltshire Team Valley Downs Fax. 01703283834 Tel. 01703283944 SO43 7BU Hampshire Lyndhurst 1 SouthamptonRoad Wight Team Hampshire &Isleof ThamesandAvon Vales 63. Natural Areasforwhichtheylead: Fax. 01635268940 Tel. 01635268881 RG19 8EL Berkshire Thatcham Crookham Common Foxhold House Team Thames &Chilterns 0.SolentandPooleBay 109. Natural Areasforwhichtheylead:

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