Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve Management Plan 2020 - 2030 1 Contents Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Figures .............................................................................................................................................. 4 PLAN SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 5 Aims ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Vision ......................................................................................................................................... 5 A. GENERAL INFORMATION .......................................................................................................... 6 1. Legislation & policy/compliance ........................................................................................... 6 1.1. Relevant authorities ....................................................................................................... 6 1.2. Designations ................................................................................................................... 6 1.3. Tenure ............................................................................................................................ 7 1.4. Policies ........................................................................................................................... 8 1.5. Revenue and grants ....................................................................................................... 8 1.6. Health and safety rationale............................................................................................ 9 2. Site Description ................................................................................................................... 10 2.1. Location ........................................................................................................................ 10 2.2. External influences affecting management of the NNR .............................................. 11 3. Environmental information ................................................................................................. 13 3.1. Geology & soils ............................................................................................................. 13 3.2 Hydrology ..................................................................................................................... 13 4. Habitat and species review ................................................................................................. 15 4.1. Coastal vegetated shingle ............................................................................................ 16 4.2. Freshwater lagoon and margins .................................................................................. 17 4.3. Terrestrial wetland communities ................................................................................. 22 4.4. Semi-natural broadleaved woodland .......................................................................... 26 4.5. Semi-natural lowland grassland and boundaries ........................................................ 29 4.6. Arable farmland ........................................................................................................... 30 4.7. Important plant & animal species ................................................................................ 31 5. Stakeholders & engagement ............................................................................................... 36 5.1. Stakeholders ................................................................................................................ 36 5.2. Visitors ......................................................................................................................... 37 5.3. Volunteers .................................................................................................................... 42 5.4. Education use of Slapton Ley NNR ............................................................................... 42 2 5.5. Research at Slapton Ley NNR ....................................................................................... 43 B. CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................ 44 6. Habitat management: key habitats, associated species and management outcomes and actions ......................................................................................................................................... 47 6.1. Freshwater lagoon ....................................................................................................... 47 6.2. Terrestrial wetland communities: reed swamp, tall herb fen and fen meadow ......... 49 6.3. Semi natural broadleaved woodland ........................................................................... 51 6.4. Semi natural lowland grassland and boundaries ......................................................... 53 6.5. Arable farmland ........................................................................................................... 55 6.6. Coastal vegetated shingle ............................................................................................ 56 7. Stakeholder management ................................................................................................... 59 7.1. Key stakeholders .......................................................................................................... 59 7.2. Education & volunteers ............................................................................................... 61 7.3. Infrastructure ............................................................................................................... 62 7.4. Health and safety and maintenance actions ............................................................... 63 References ...................................................................................................................................... 65 Appendices ................................................................................................................................. 68 Appendix 1. Reportable features for SSSI designation (Natural England) .............................. 68 Appendix 2. Species lists ......................................................................................................... 69 Appendix 3. Additional maps .................................................................................................. 72 3 Figures *Maps Some maps are also available in Centre files Title and link to section Page Figure 1. The location of Slapton Ley NNR * 10 Figure 2. Main habitat types of Slapton Ley NNR * 15 Figure 3. Nitrates in mg/l from Higher North Mill and Deer Bridge 19 Figure 4. Strapwort numbers at three sites on the NNR 21 Figure 5. Breeding pairs of Cetti’s warbler on the NNR 23 Figure 6 A and B. The extent of NVC communities at Little Marsh * 25 Figure 7. Dormouse signs from nest box surveys 28 Figure 8. Total car park usage across all car parks 2010 - 2019 38 Figure 9. Car park usage over a 12 month period across years 39 Figure 10. Volunteer numbers and hours 2013 - 2017 39 Figure 11a-c. Reserve sites of active management * 43-45 Figure 12. Boundaries * 72 Figure 13. Public rights of way and access * 73 Figure 14. Place names mentioned in text (North). * 74 Figure 15. Place names mentioned in text (South). * 75 4 PLAN SUMMARY Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve (NNR) has both national and regional importance for wildlife and attracts many thousands of visitors each year for its wildlife, educational opportunities, amenity and stunning landscape setting within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This management plan updates the previous 10-year plan and covers the period 2020 -2029. It also provides the consent for management of the site from Natural England under Schedule 9 28E of the Wildlife and Rights of Way Act, as amended under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000. The National Nature Reserve NNR agreement was originally signed in 1991, renewed from 1 April 2011 and expires in 2035. It is enabled by a policy document that relies on a management plan agreed by all parties. The NNR signatories are Wild Planet Trust (formerly Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust until 2019), Field Studies Council FSC, Natural England NE and South Hams District Council SHDC. Aims The aims of this management plan are to provide a practical document for the implementation of work programmes to meet key NNR objectives. These are to: 1. Maintain and enhance the important habitats and species of the site to good condition whilst recognising climate change is likely to influence the status of some of these habitats. 2. Demonstrate practical conservation management for educational purposes. 3. Provide high-quality field sites for education and research in a safe and secure setting. 4. Maintain and enhance public enjoyment of the site through good public access and visitor experience. 5. Conserve the distinctive landscape character and spirit of place the site has. 6. Place Slapton Ley NNR within the wider landscape setting and seek opportunities to influence environmental opportunities outside the reserve so that its intrinsic interest is not isolated