Natural England

Natural England publishes the first report into the state of the natural environment.

Natural England today (Monday 19 May) called for a new approach to managing our natural environment in the South West if it is to stand any chance of adapting to the next 50 years of unavoidable climate change and the modern pressures of development.

On launching the State of the Natural Environment report in the region, Janette Ward, South West Regional Director of Natural England, said:

“We need a new approach to conservation if our natural environment is to withstand the pressures placed upon it by climate change, built development and damaging activities. It is under threat both within protected areas but especially outside them.

“Our challenge is to find ways of managing our landscapes and seascapes to create a mosaic of complementary resource uses in order to wildlife to survive. This includes improved use of funding for green farming schemes, the creation of Marine Protected Areas, an agreement about what we need from our beautiful uplands and making sure any new built development contains environmental protection planned in from the beginning.

“The South West region has the largest proportion of wetlands in England, for example. However, landscapes such as the Somerset Levels have experienced drastic declines in wading bird populations. Numbers of breeding snipe have declined by 90% since 1982 in Southern England and those remaining are heavily concentrated in wetland nature reserves.

“Unless we act soon, there’s a real danger that most people will not have the opportunity to benefit from high quality natural environments now or in the future.”

The key challenges we face include:

1. Our marine environment, which contains the highest diversity of fish species in England, is currently under threat from fishing practices such as scallop dredging, where vulnerable coral such as the Pink Sea Fan is being damaged and needs protecting. Evidence from the Lundy Island No Take Zone shows that restoration of marine habitat in co-operation with the fishing industry can reverse the damaging trends, including lobster numbers, and Natural England is calling for Marine Protected Areas around our coastline to protect our precious marine life.

2. The long-term decline in many of our arable farmland birds such grey partridge and corn bunting is continuing. These birds are also excellent indicators of countryside health. Environmentally friendly farming can arrest this decline, as we have shown in Wiltshire, but more effort and resource is needed to improve the wildlife quality of arable land.

3. We are seeing signs of stress from climate change in the uplands. The Exmoor Mires are drying out and releasing greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Targeted green farming schemes are being used to re-wet some of these important habitats but much more needs to happen to create larger scale adaptation to climate change.

4. Declining species, such as the stunning and rare snakes-head-fritillary flower and the wonderful Duke of Burgundy butterfly are found almost exclusively in a few protected sites and we must do more to work with neighbouring land managers to help them manage land sympathetically to increase numbers.

Janette Ward, continued:
“The overall condition of our most important wildlife sites (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) has improved dramatically in the last 10 years with 83% of their area now in favourable condition. Species such as the Dartford Warbler are increasing in numbers in part due to sensitive management of protected heathland sites in Dorset where 26% of the UK population are now found.

“The story is different outside protected sites however where the Dartford Warbler is a rare sight.This is a worryingly typical example of the differences between wildlife in and out of protected sites.

“The natural environment is dynamic and ever changing, yet the systems we have in place to conserve it are static and not fit for purpose - with their roots in the 1940s they are unable to cope with the challenges of the 21st century.”

The findings from the report have led Natural England to publish a Manifesto for the Natural Environment, which outlines what needs to be done to set the nation on a greener path by tackling difficult questions to help protect our future natural assets.

To play its part in finding solutions, Natural England in the South West has today committed to:

1. Better targeting the £85 million a year of taxpayers’ money it manages through green land management schemes in the South West to help people and nature adapt to climate change by: storing carbon in peat; soaking up excess rainwater to reduce flash flooding and connecting existing wildlife sites.

2. Using its statutory position to protect the natural environment at risk from built development and inappropriate farming and fishing activities.

3. Transforming some of our National Nature Reserves into first class visitor destinations to reconnect the public with nature.

4. Helping find the space for renewable energy by publishing a map of suitable locations for onshore wind energy developments.

5. Demonstrating that significant cuts in carbon are achievable over the short-term by reducing the carbon footprint of its estates and business travel by 50% by the end of 2010.

- ends -

Notes to Editors

For further information please contact the South West Press Office:

Paul Wynne 07900 608049 or Jo Busk 07900 608440

Please see attached images that are copyright photographer/NHPA/Photoshot and must be credited. They can be used within one week of 19th May in editorial contexts related to this report. Photographers: Simon Booth/Snakes-Head-Fratillary; Martin Garwood/Duke of Burgundy; Bill Coster/Snipe; Alan Williams/Dartford Warbler and Corn Bunting.

Please call the press office to arrange an interview with Natural England's SW Regional Director Janette Ward or to receive electronic copies of The Manifesto for the Natural Environment and a summary of the State of the Natural Environment Report.

For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.