Local Wildlife Sites under threat

More investment needed

28th December, 2009

‘Inappropriate management’ and a ‘lack of management’ are the greatest perceived threats to Local Wildlife Sites in England, according to a report by The Wildlife Trusts.

The fifth in a series ‘Status of Local Wildlife Site systems 2008’, is based on a comprehensive survey of Local Wildlife Site systems in England. The results show a continuing lack of investment in these non-statutory sites.

Together with statutory protected areas, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Local Wildlife Sites support locally, and often nationally, threatened species and habitats. They represent the minimum habitat in need of protection in order to maintain the current levels of wildlife. England has around 40,000 designated sites, which cover more than 500,000 hectares.

Local Wildlife Sites are only offered limited protection through the planning system. They are administered by partnerships which identify, select and monitor sites and should provide expert advice to land owners.

Nearly 40percent of sites surveyed are owned by public bodies with 52percent privately owned. Only six percent of systems always provide site-specific management plans to landowners and, in 2007, the average number of sites, where landowners were given management advice, was just 10.4percent. Constraints listed included lack of resources, time and staff capacity.

Paul Wilkinson, The Wildlife Trusts’ head of Living Landscape, said: “Due to underinvestment and lack of resources, these sites are threatened. It is essential the role Local Wildlife Sites play in conserving our natural heritage is recognised.

“Although The Wildlife Trusts are breaking new ground – working with landowners, politicians, businesses and the wider community to pursue our vision of A Living Landscape - greater investment in Local Wildlife Sites is required. As local authorities own a significant proportion of sites, they and Government have a crucial role to play.

“Collectively these sites contribute to a climate resilient landscape and improve the ecological coherence of the statutory site network.”

To download a pdf of the report, visit the free publications section of our website here.

Story by RSWT

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