Natural England: latest scientific and technical reports
21 October 2010
Natural England publishes a wide range of science and technical reports to help support our environmental delivery work and ensure that our advice to Government and others is based on the best available evidence.
The following reports have recently been published and are now available as PDFs on Natural England’s website
and by following the links indicated below.
Access and the natural environment
Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment
The national survey on people and the natural environment - Annual Report from the 2009-10 survey (NECR049)
Natural England, Defra and the Forestry Commission commissioned this major survey to provide baseline and trend data on how people use the natural environment in England.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/40014?category=216216
The Technical Report (NECR050) provides full details of the survey methodology, including approaches to sampling, grossing and weighting, and estimates of confidence intervals.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/43014?category=216216
Ashdown Forest visitor survey data analysis (NECR048)
The work examines existing and potential impacts of visitors on birds within the Ashdown Forest Special Protection Area and considers approaches which will reduce or even prevents those impacts.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/46010?category=216216
Habitat monitoring & management
The vegetation of the Severn/Avon Vale Floodplain Meadows (NECR052)
This specialist report assesses the floodplain vegetation on Special Sites of Scientific Interest within the Severn/Avon Vale floodplains.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/48008?category=35003
Monitoring intertidal sandflats of the Isles of Scilly Special Area of Conservation
Survey of the infaunal organisms of St. Martin’s sedimentary shore, September 2009 (NECR042)
Special Areas of Conservation are established under the European Union’s Habitats Directive 1992 as the best examples in Europe of a suite of listed habitats. One of the features for which the Isles of Scilly were selected as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is their rich infaunal communities of intertidal and subtidal marine sediment.
The Directive requires a SAC to be monitored at least every six years to ensure that the features for which it was selected are being conserved. The results will inform site managers as to future management of the Isles of Scilly Special Area of Conservation.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/41013?category=35016
Coastal saline lagoons and the Water Framework Directive (NECR039)
A number of coastal saline lagoons in the UK have been identified as ‘water bodies’ under the Water Framework Directive. This means that there is a requirement to develop type-based classification tools to help assess their ecological status. This study was commissioned by Natural England to inform future work of the UK Technical Advisory Group and Marine Task Team in developing a national consistent approach to the assessment of lagoons under the Water Framework Directive.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/44008?category=43007
The sustainability of shellfish harvesting and its effects on the reef habitats within the north east Kent European marine sites (inter-tidal) (NECR044)
This assesses the impact and sustainability of current levels of shellfish harvesting on the inter-tidal reef habitats.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/40013?category=43007
Grassland sward enhancement and arable reversion
The following advice on grassland management has been revised:
Sward enhancement: choice of methods (TIN062)
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/34012?category=35003
Sward enhancement: diversifying grassland by spreading species-rich green hay (TIN063) http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/23025?category=35003
Sward enhancement: diversifying grassland by oversowing and slot seeding (TIN064)
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/34011?category=35003
Arable reversion to species-rich grassland: site selection and choice of methods (TIN066)
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/34010?category=9009
Arable reversion to species-rich grassland: establishing a sown sward (TIN067)
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/35007?category=9009 and,
Arable reversion to species-rich grassland: early management of the new sward (TIN068)
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/33012?category=9009
Marine Protected Areas
Guidance on the size and spacing of Marine Protected Areas in England (NECR037)
This report reviews existing evidence on adult movements and larval dispersal distances of species found in our waters; and provides suggestions on how to maximise connectivity between areas and ensure viability of individual sites within the Marine Protected Area network. Connectivity and viability are two of the network design principles we are using to help deliver an ecologically coherent Marine Protected Area network.
The findings have been used by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to inform the Ecological Network Guidance for identifying Marine Conservation Zones.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/46009?category=19002
Adopting effective stakeholder engagement processes to deliver regional Marine Protected Area networks (NECR008)
This report was commissioned by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to provide an evidence base and advice on effective stakeholder engagement for the four regional Marine Conservation Zone projects.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/46005?category=19002
Meeting the Marine Protected Area Network Principle of Viability
Feature specific recommendations for species and habitats of conservation importance (NECR043)
The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 created a new type of Marine Protected Area, called a Marine Conservation Zone, which will contribute to an ecologically coherent network of well managed Marine Protected Areas in English waters.
This report was commissioned to provide advice on viability, one of the seven Marine Protected Area network design principles. The research used existing literature to provide evidence on the viable area required to conserve habitats and species of conservation importance.
The findings have been used by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to inform the Ecological Network Guidance for identifying Marine Conservation Zones.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/47011?category=19002
Other reports
Natural Leaders: actions for local environmental leadership (NECR047)
Natural Leaders looks at the role councils play in promoting their natural environment. It brings together ideas and experiences as councils work with the private and voluntary sector, acquire resources and develop a local vision to deliver benefits for people and wildlife.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/45008?category=43019
Wild Adventure Space: its role in teenagers’ lives (NECR025)
This research was commissioned to explore the contribution the natural environment can make in relation to current debates about young people today.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/41009?category=129023
Climate change adaptation indicators for the natural environment (NECR038)
The research explores indicators of climate change adaptation in the natural environment.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/45007?category=10003
Geodiversity Action Plans: The use of indicators in progress reporting (NECR051)
This report forms part of Natural England’s contribution to the UK Geodiversity Action Plan and will inform revisions to Natural England’s guidance for producing and monitoring the progress of Local Geodiversity Action Plans.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/41014?category=30050
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Notes to Editors:
About Natural England
Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
We establish and care for England’s main wildlife and geological sites, ensuring that over 4,000 National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are looked after and improved.
We work to ensure that England’s landscapes are effectively protected, designating England’s National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Marine Conservation Zones, and advising widely on their conservation.
We run Environmental Stewardship and other green farming schemes that deliver over £400 million a year to farmers and landowners, enabling them to enhance the natural environment across two thirds of England’s farmland.
We fund, manage, and provide scientific expertise for hundreds of conservation projects each year, improving the prospects for thousands of England’s species and habitats.
We promote access to the wider countryside, helping establish National Trails and coastal trails and ensuring that the public can enjoy and benefit from them.
For further information contact: Nuala Murray, Natural England Press Office, on 0300 060 2286 (out of hours 07970 098005), or press@naturalengland.org.uk. For further information about Natural England, please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk
