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DORSETBIODIVERSITY STRATEGY

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Dorset Biodiversity Partnership

The Dorset Biodiversity Partnership is a group of organisations brought together by acommon aim to reverse the decline of biodiversity in Dorset through positive,collaborative action. The Dorset Biodiversity Strategy has been prepared by thePartnership through wide consultation.

Borough of Poole Bournemouth Borough CouncilBritish Trust for Conservation VolunteersBusiness Link Butterfly Conservation (Dorset Branch)

Centre for Ecology and HydrologyChristchurch Borough CouncilCountry Landowners & Business Association

Dorset County Council*Dorset Ecological ConsultancyDorset Environmental Records Centre Dorset’s Important Geological Sites GroupDorset Natural History & Archaeological SocietyDorset Wildlife Trust*

East Dorset District CouncilEnglish Nature*Environment Agency*

Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group* Forest Enterprise Forestry Commission

Herpetological Conservation Trust

Ministry of Defence Estate Organisation

National Farmers UnionNational Trust* North Dorset District Council

Purbeck District Council*Purbeck Heritage Committee

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds* Rural Development Service (DEFRA)

Terence O’Rourke Ltd

Wessex Silviculture Group Wessex Water*West Dorset District CouncilWeymouth and Portland Borough CouncilWoodland Trust

* These organisations form the Dorset Biodiversity Partnership Management Group.

The Partnership wishes to acknowledge all those organisations and individuals whohave contributed or given support to the production of this Strategy.

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Dorset Biodiversity Strategy c 2003

Dorset Biodiversity Partnershipc/o Dorset Wildlife TrustBrooklands FarmForstonDorsetDT2 7AA

Telephone: 01305 264620Email: [email protected]/dorset/biodiversity

Dorset Biodiversity Strategy

FOREWORDAll of us involved in nature conservation in Dorset have made considerable progress since 1992 whenthe Convention on Biodiversity was signed at the Rio Earth Summit. We have seen huge sums ofmoney directed into the county to look after our wildlife; I estimate that, averaged over the past tenyears, we are spending well over a million pounds a year on projects, excluding our staff salaries.There is no doubt; this is an exciting time to be involved in wildlife in Dorset. We should not forget thatas well as looking after the wildlife, such investment does the economy of our predominantly ruralcounty a power of good. We owe our success partly to the exceptional quality of wildlife that Dorsetholds, but also to the determination and hard work of many individuals who work to conserve thisecological wealth.

But we have not, until now, achieved our success by taking the conventional route through writing aLocal Biodiversity Action Plan. This was a deliberate choice on our part following the setting up of theDorset Conservation Forum in 1997. At the time we felt that writing such a plan would have divertedresources away from the action we were already involved in, and we were happy to be led by others,notably the Biodiversity Strategy for the South West, and, more locally, the Purbeck Biodiversity ActionPlan. We concentrated on writing only selected plans for habitats and species where little washappening, and where threats would only continue without co-ordination and fund raising.

Today the situation is different. The ethos of biodiversity conservation has been successfully carriedforward largely by key government agencies, the voluntary conservation sector, parts of localauthorities and many private landowners and farmers. The challenge ahead is for us to export thisculture across all sectors. We need to see fundamental changes in policy that implant biodiversityconsiderations in all areas of economic activity, both public and private. The Government has recentlypublished its biodiversity strategy for England, and the Dorset Biodiversity Strategy mirrors thisthinking. We have set out a framework for how, at the county level in the next ten years, we believe wecan make the necessary changes to conserve and enhance our natural environment.

To deliver the aims set out below we need to build on existing partnerships, bring on board neworganisations and encourage involvement of people for whom biodiversity may not seem relevant totheir daily lives. We need to expand our education and communication efforts, and to develop ourinformation and reporting mechanisms, so that we can see how our work fits into the regional andnational pictures. Finally, we need to continue to raise money to fund the co-ordination of our work.This Strategy is our vision for the future for the wildlife of Dorset and provides a mechanism for all of usto make our commitment to its conservation.

Phil SterlingDorset County CouncilMay 2003

Contents

CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Biodiversity and why it matters

1.2 The need for a Dorset Biodiversity Strategy

1.3 Links with wider plans and policies

1.4 Selecting priority habitats and species

1.5 Next steps to be taken as part of the local biodiversity process

2 PROGRAMMES OF ACTION FOR TOPICS AND ASSOCIATED HABITATS

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Topic Action Plan: Forestry and Woodland Management:

Habitat Statements:

2.2.1 Lowland mixed deciduous woodland

2.2.2 Wet woodland

2.2.3 Lowland beech and yew woodland

2.3 Topic Action Plan: Agriculture:

Habitat Statements:

2.3.1 Lowland meadows

2.3.2 Purple moor grass and rush pasture

2.3.3 Lowland calcareous grassland

2.3.4 Lowland dry acid grassland

2.3.5 Ancient and/or species rich hedgerows

2.3.6 Arable land

2.3.7 Ponds

2.4 Topic Action Plan: Freshwater Management:

Habitat Statements:

2.4.1 Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh

2.4.2 Chalk streams

2.4.3 Reedbeds

2.4.4 Fens

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2.5 Topic Action Plan: Marine and Coastal Issues:

2.5.1 Grouped Coastal Habitat Statement:

Maritime cliff and slope

Coastal sand dunes

Coastal vegetated shingle

Sabellaria alveolata reefs

Mudflats

Coastal saltmarsh

Sheltered muddy gravels

Littoral chalk

2.5.2 Grouped Marine Habitat Statement:

Saline lagoons

Sabellaria spinulosa reefs

Seagrass beds

Sublittoral sands and gravels

Tidal rapids

Maerl beds

Sublittoral chalk

Mud in deep water

Mytelis edulis beds

Brittlestar beds

2.6 Habitat Statement for Wood pasture, parkland and veteran trees

2.7 Habitat Statement for Lowland heathland

3 COMMON THEMES

3.1 Raising awareness and involvement

3.2 Data and monitoring

3.3 Land-use planning

4 MAKING IT HAPPEN

4.1 The Partnership Approach: Headline actions for key sectors

4.2 Funding

4.3 Implementation – the need for Lead Partners

4.4 Monitoring of Progress

4.5 Reviewing the Actions

APPENDICES

A Key references

B Important international, national and local sites in Dorset

C Key to Habitat Status tables

D Biodiversity Targets by Natural Areas

E Acronyms used in the text1. Introduction

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1INTRODUCTION

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1.1 Biodiversity and why it matters

WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?

Biodiversity is the variety of life. It concerns the whole range of living things,from flowering plants to birds, from butterflies to mosses and lichens and evenbacteria. Biodiversity also refers to the wide range of habitats which plants andanimals depend upon. It is not just about rare or threatened species, itembraces all life, from the commonplace to the greatly endangered.

The conservation of biological diversity is central to the principle of sustainable development whichstrikes a balance between the environment, economy and society.

In 1992, the UK was one of over 150 countries to sign the ‘Convention on Biological Diversity’ at theEarth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. In response to this the government produced a UK Biodiversity ActionPlan (UK BAP) in 1994, followed by a series of action plans for priority habitats and species. Together,these provide a framework for conserving and enhancing biodiversity in the UK. More recently, in 2002,a Biodiversity Strategy for England was launched, which seeks to ensure biodiversity considerationsbecome embedded in all main sectors of public policy and sets out a 5 year programme of action.

Is the biodiversity of Dorset threatened?

Dorset is one of the richest counties for wildlife in England. However, in common with the rest of the UKthere have been widespread declines in the semi-natural habitats and populations of rare and commonspecies in the last 80 years, mainly as a result of human activity. These declines have accelerated overthe last 30 years. National examples include:

● Once common species such as the tree sparrow have declined by over 85%.

● Breeding populations of the marsh fritillary have reduced by 66% in the last 10 years.

● 97% of unimproved lowland meadows have been lost in the last 50 years.

Extensive wildlife habitats have been lost or suffered deterioration, leaving most remaining sites small,fragmented and often in an unfavourable condition.

The need to reverse fragmentation and isolation of the natural resource is made more urgent by theeffects of climate change. Many species have the potential to adapt to changing climatic conditions byshifting their normal ranges both northwards and to higher altitudes. However in Dorset, and the UK asa whole, these natural shifts are likely to be hindered or even prevented by habitat fragmentation.

1.2 The need for a Dorset Biodiversity StrategyThe Dorset Biodiversity Partnership (listed earlier) is a group of organisations brought together by acommon aim to reverse the decline of biodiversity in Dorset through positive, collaborative action. TheDorset Biodiversity Strategy has been prepared by the Partnership through wide consultation, toprovide a strategic framework for action over the next 10 years that contributes to achieving the targetsset out in the UK BAP. The production of such a document is essential to help direct and co-ordinateinitiatives that will conserve and enhance Dorset’s biodiversity. Key principles for biodiversityconservation that will underpin the Strategy are listed in fig. 1.

The Strategy is part of a local biodiversity process with functions that aim to:

● ensure that national targets for species and habitats, as specified in the UK BAP, are translated into effective action at the local level.

● identify targets for species and habitats appropriate to the local area, and reflecting the values of people locally.

● develop effective local partnerships to ensure that programmes for biodiversity conservation are maintained in the long term.

● raise awareness of the need for biodiversity conservation in the local context.

● ensure that opportunities for conservation and enhancement of the whole biodiversity resource are fully considered.

● provide a basis for monitoring progress in biodiversity conservation, at both local and national level.

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Early on in the process the Dorset Biodiversity Partnership took a decision to produce a concisestrategy capturing key actions. This decision was taken to maintain the momentum for action that hadbuilt up within the partnership through the implementation of 13 species and habitat projects between1998 and 2002 (see Table 2).

The strategy captures key actions through Topics; Forestry and Woodland Management, Agriculture,Freshwater Management, Marine and Coastal Issues (chapter 2), and Common Themes; RaisingAwareness and Involvement, Data and Information, Land-use Planning (chapter 3).

Chapter 4 outlines ways in which the Strategy will be implemented; through partnership work,appropriate funding, and monitoring and review.

An audit of Dorset’s biodiversity

The Dorset Biodiversity Audit, first published in 1997, has been revised and updated to complementthis document by providing accompanying information on priority habitats and species. It is availableas a publication, or on the Dorset Environmental Record Centre website (www.derc.org.uk).

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1.3 Links with wider plans and policies

Landscape Scale Initiatives

There is increasing emphasis on the need for the provision of biodiversity at the landscape scale, toaddress issues of fragmentation, and the long term viability of wildlife populations, especially in relationto the effects of climate change. Current landscape scale initiatives include; English Nature’sLifescapes Programme, RSPB’s Futurescapes and the South West Wildlife Trust’s RebuildingBiodiversity Project.

This Strategy advocates the need for large areas for wildlife to be identified and created through alandscape scale planning process.

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Key Biodiversity Principles

In order to enhance the overall ecological quality, extent, capacity, structure and functioning of theecological network the following principles should be followed:

● Manage existing, restored, enhanced, and newly created habitats of importance for wildlife.

● Avoid changing land-use of sites where this would;

- directly affect the habitat resulting in a reduction or loss of habitat quality and species present.

- indirectly impact on surrounding habitats

- lead to further fragmentation of semi natural habitat.

● Restore and, where possible, buffer, link, connect and extend habitats of importance to wildlife.Examples include; corridors (e.g. hedges), or ‘stepping stones’ (e.g. ponds and small woods),through which species can move, to create a habitat matrix essential to many species;

- help protect special sites by creating buffer zones to guard against threats such as pollutionor changes in water level

- create large areas for wildlife, where nature conservation is the primary objective

- target effort around key areas e.g. designated sites/ Sitesof Nature Conservation Importance, and areas which link and buffer these sites.

● Monitor existing, restored, enhanced and newly created habitats of importance forwildlife to ensure;

- policies/ activities are effective, and adjusted if not

- the Strategy adapts to changing circumstances

- existing wildlife interest is not neglected in favour of new projects

- data are gathered, collated and disseminated to maintain and enhance our

knowledge of Dorset’s wildlife.

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Other county plans and initiatives

It is important that the Dorset Biodiversity Strategy is integrated into the work of initiatives that have aninfluence on biodiversity conservation. Wherever possible groups or organisations leading on thefollowing initiatives were involved in producing the Strategy.

● AONB Management Plan

● Community Strategies (through the Dorset Strategic Partnership)

● Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) Project

● Dorset Coast Strategy

● Local Authority Development Plans

● Environment Agency Local Contribution Plans

● Environmental Land Management Schemes

● English Nature Natural Area Profiles

● Local Agenda 21

● Purbeck Heritage Strategy

● National Trust Management Plans

● Shoreline Management Plans

● Poole Harbour Aquatic Management Plan

● Dorset County Council’s Working for Wildlife (Local Nature Reserve) Project

The Dorset Biodiversity Strategy aims to simplify the operation of biodiversity conservation in Dorset byfacilitating county-wide co-ordination of both policy and action.

Other biodiversity action plans (BAPs)

A jigsaw of regional and local biodiversity initiatives has developed across the country. This has led tosome confusion over how individual initiatives relate to one another. It is important to realise that allthese plans are collectively working towards the targets in the UK BAP, but at different scales orlocations.

Other BAPs relating to Dorset are;

● Action for Biodiversity in the South-West: A Series of Habitat and Species Action Plans to Guide Delivery (1998). This assists BAP initiatives in the South West to match their priorities with each other, and with those in the national guidance.

● A Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Purbeck, (1997). Purbeck was chosen, as an area of high biodiversity importance, to pilot production of a district-level BAP. Priorities set out in the Dorset Biodiversity Strategy should inform future reviews of the Plan. The Purbeck Biodiversity Officer posthas proved invaluable in implementing action set out in the plan.

● Neighbouring Local BAPs – the neighbouring counties of Hampshire, Somerset, Devon and Wiltshire all have their own biodiversity action plans.

● Biodiversity Action Plans produced by individual organisations, to implement their BAP priorities e.g. Wessex Water BAP, Butterfly Conservation action plan for the South-Central Region.

In the future other BAPs may be produced for smaller geographical areas within Dorset, e.g. by DistrictCouncils or businesses. It is important that these should be guided by the priorities set out in thisstrategy, for consistency within the county. The Biodiversity Partnership will provide guidance andsupport to individual organisations wishing to develop a BAP to cover their own area of activity.

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1.4 Selecting priority habitats and species

Habitats

The UK Biodiversity Group has divided the whole land surface of the country and the surrounding seasinto 27 broad habitat types. Dorset contains 21 of the UK’s 27 broad habitat types, and together thesecover the entire land area within the county. At the UK level, 45 more narrowly defined ‘priority habitats’have been singled out. For each of these a costed habitat action plan (HAP) has been prepared underthe UK Biodiversity Programme.

UK priority habitats were selected using one or more of the following criteria:

● habitats for which the UK has international obligations;

● habitats at risk, such as those which are rare or have a high rate of recent decline;

● habitats which are functionally important for species inhabiting wider environments;

● habitats important for species of particular conservation concern.

Of the 45 UK priority habitats 32 occur in Dorset. These are listed in Table 1. In accordance with thenational process these habitats are the focus for action in the Dorset Strategy. In addition to these,using similar criteria as above, the Dorset Biodiversity Partnership has selected ponds, valley miresand the marine habitats brittlestar beds and Mytelis edulis beds as local priority habitats.

Based on data available for SSSIs and SNCIs, priority habitats represent approximately 12 % of the county. This figure excludes the area of priority marine habitat, which has not yet beenfully determined. Together, they represent Dorset’s critical natural assets.

Species

The UK Biodiversity Programme has identified 1288 ‘species of conservation concern’. Of these, over560 species of particular concern have been selected as ‘priority species’, which are those most inneed of conservation action; 33% of these species occur in Dorset. Species Action Plans (SAPs) orstatements have been prepared for all priority species in the UK. These plans set targets and a broadframework for action, and to be effective they must be translated into a more local context.

The Dorset Biodiversity Audit (DERC 2003) identifies species of concern and highlights which of theseare UK priority species. In consultation with local experts and specialist groups local priority specieswere identified based on local threat, decline, rarity and the significance of the local population. The conservation requirements of the local and national priority species, and the species ofconservation concern should be taken into account when undertaking habitat level conservation.

Several species are either extinct or possibly extinct in the county. However, it is important to takeaccount of those species once occurring in Dorset that have disappeared. Where these speciespersist elsewhere they may return of their own accord if conditions are suitable.

7NB Dorset priority habitats in bold

Table 1 Occurence of UK Priority Habitats in Dorset

UK Broad Habitat Type UK Priority Habitat Dorset Priority Habitat

Broadleaved, mixed and Upland mixed ash woodlandyew woodland Upland oak woodland

Lowland beech and Yew ✓Lowland woodpasture & parkland ✓Lowland mixed deciduous woodland ✓

(UK action plan in 2003)Wet woodland ✓

Coniferous woodland Native pine woods

Boundary & linear features Ancient &/or species rich hedgerows ✓

Arable and horticulture Cereal field margins ✓ (Arable land)

Improved grassland Coastal & floodplain grazing marsh ✓

Neutral grassland Lowland meadows ✓Upland hay meadows

Calcareous grassland Lowland calcareous grassland ✓Upland calcareous grassland

Acid grassland Lowland dry acid grassland ✓

Bracken

Dwarf shrub heath Lowland heathland ✓

Fen, marsh & swamp Purple moor grass & rush pastures ✓Fens ✓Reedbeds ✓

Bogs

Standing open water Eutrophic standing waters ✓& canals Mesotrophic standing waters

Aquifer fed naturally fluctuating water bodies

Rivers and streams Chalk streams ✓

Montane habitats

Inland rock Limestone pavements

Built up areas and gardens

Supra littoral rock Maritime cliff and slope ✓

Supra littoral sediment Coastal vegetated shingle ✓Coastal sand dunes ✓Machair

Littoral rock Littoral chalk ✓Sabellaria alveolata reefs ✓

Littoral sediment Coastal saltmarsh ✓Mudflats ✓Sheltered muddy gravels ✓Seagrass beds (Z. noltii)

Inshore sublittoral rock Tidal rapids ✓Sublittoral chalk ✓Sabellaria spinulosa reefs ✓Modiolus modiolus beds

Inshore sublitoral sediment Saline lagoons ✓Seagrass beds (Z.marina) ✓Mud in deep water ✓Maerl beds ✓Serpulid reefsSublittoral sands & gravels ✓

Offshore shelf rock

Offshore shelf sediment

Continental shelf slope Lophelia pertusa reefs

Oceanic seas

Local Priority HabitatsPonds ✓Valley Mires ✓Brittlestar beds ✓Mytelis edulis ✓

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1.5 Next steps to be taken as part of the local biodiversity process

To fulfil all of the functions set out in section 1.2, further steps in the local biodiversity process will needto be taken.

Preparation of selected Habitat Action Plans

In preparing this strategy, it became obvious that some habitats would require more comprehensiveaction plans to take forward joint action.

The habitats selected by the Partnership for Habitat Action Plans are:

● Ponds – there is currently no national action plan for this habitat, upon which local action could be guided; also discussions on who would take forward some of the key actions in the habitat statement were not resolved.

● Lowland heathland – Dorset holds a significant proportion of the UK resource of this habitat. Many projects are currently underway, but a Habitat Action Plan would pull this all together.

● Wood pasture, parkland and ancient trees – the issues affecting this habitat are complex and varied.

● Selected marine habitats – not enough is currently known about marine habitats. The Dorset Biodiversity Partnership, in liaison with experts, will identify the need for Habitat Action Plans once the extent, condition/ threats are better known.

Target dates will be set for the production of each Habitat Action Plan. They will be prepared throughextensive consultation with local and national experts, and co-ordinated by the Dorset Biodiversity Co-ordinator. The opportunity will be open to all partners to be involved in the preparation of any plan.

Each plan will follow a standard format, ensuring a consistent approach with national plans. Liaison willalso be undertaken with biodiversity action planning initiatives of neighbouring counties.

For some Dorset habitats, action plans or initiatives already exist (see table 2). In addition action hasbeen undertaken through national programmes implemented locally, aimed at achieving the UK BAPtargets.

Preparation of selected Species Action Plans

Conservation action for most priority species can be dealt with through action at a habitat level. Themajority of species will benefit from positive habitat management and will be well catered for by thisapproach. However, in some cases such action alone will be inadequate. Specific action will beneeded where one of the following criteria applies:

● the species is so highly threatened, or rapidly declining, that urgent action must be taken to prevent local extinctions;

● the species, although restricted to a particular habitat type, has specific ecological requirements that fall outside of normal habitat management.

Dorset priority species that fit either of the these categories may require local Species Action Plans, inaddition to the UK Species Action Plans. In some cases, it may be appropriate to have an action planfor a group of species. These will be prepared in the same way as the Habitat Action Plans.

Where priority species are widespread, found in a range of different habitats and will be very difficult toconserve through general habitat work, the most effective approach is through national action, wherepolicy change is usually the key to biodiversity conservation.

Table 3 lists species action plans or initiatives that already exist in Dorset. This may not preclude the need for a Dorset Action Plan where it is felt there would be benefit in an updated, or county level, plan.

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Measuring achievement

Monitoring progress and measuring success is a vital part of the biodiversity process.Chapter 3: Data and Monitoring, recommends that a biodiversity monitoring strategy is devised for thecounty.

Headline Indicators

The England Biodiversity Strategy (DEFRA 2002), has adopted Headline Indicators for each keyeconomic sector. These include the Governments Quality of Life Counts (DETR 1999), indicatorsparticularly important for biodiversity.

A selection of these indicators are suggested in this strategy within each topic section, to tie in to thenational process. It should be possible to extract local information from the data that are gatherednationally by DEFRA to monitor change in Dorset through these indicators.

Targets

As part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan quantified, biological, time limited targets have been agreedfor all priority habitats and species. To measure Dorset’s contribution to these, local targets will be setfor the following:

● the maintenance, restoration and re-creation of habitats;

● the protection and enhancement of species selected for local Species Action Plans.

Apportioning national targets to a more local level has already been undertaken through EnglishNature’s Natural Area Framework. Natural Areas are defined as ‘biogeographic zones which reflect the geological foundation, the natural systems and processes and the wildlife in different parts ofEngland’. UK BAP targets have been apportioned for the eight Natural Areas which cover Dorset andits marine habitats (see Appendix D). These can be used as a basis for establishing appropriate targets for Dorset.

* Butterfly Conservation South Central Regional Action Plan

Table 2 Dorset habitats with existing local/regional targets

Habitat SW Regional BAP Purbeck BAP Dorset BiodiversityProject 1998-2002

Lowland mixed ✓ (Ash-Maple woodland) ✓deciduous woodland

Wood pasture & parkland ✓ ✓ ✓ (Veteran Trees)

Species-rich hedgerows ✓

Cereal field margins ✓ ✓ ✓ (Farmland)

Coastal & floodplain ✓ ✓ ✓grazing marsh

Lowland meadows ✓

Calcareous grassland* ✓ ✓

Heathland* ✓ ✓

Fens ✓

Reedbeds ✓ ✓

Chalk streams ✓ (Rivers and streams) ✓ (Rivers)

Urban habitat ✓ ✓ (Urban watercourses)

Maritime cliff and slope ✓ ✓

Coastal sand dunes ✓

Seagrass beds ✓ ✓

Maerl beds ✓ ✓

Sublittoral chalk ✓ (Rocky seabed)

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Monitoring actions within common themes

As well as monitoring against targets established for habitats and species, as described above, theactions set out in Chapter 3 for common themes will also be monitored to measure progress ongeneric action.

* Butterfly Conservation South Central Regional Action Plan

Table 3 Priority species with existing plans or initiatives in Dorset

Species action SW Regional Purbeck Dorsetthat has been BAP BAP Biodiversitygenerated Projectnationally (1998-2001)

Lower plants and fungiNail fungus ✓Churchyard lichen ✓Golden-hair lichen Teloschistes flavicans ✓Thatch moss Leptodontium gemmascens ✓Marsh clubmoss Lycopodiella inundata ✓A moss Habrodon perpusillis ✓

Vascular plantsAcid-loving plants ✓Lizard orchid ✓Early gentian ✓Pillwort ✓

InvertebratesBog ant Formica candida ✓Heath tiger beetle Cicindela verrucivorus ✓Fairy shrimp ✓Southern damselfly ✓ ✓ ✓Pearl bordered fritillary* ✓Speckled footman moth* ✓ ✓A micro moth Eudarcia richarsoni ✓Reed leopard moth* ✓Spider hunting wasp ✓Purbeck mason wasp ✓Hornet robber fly Asilus crabroniformis ✓Mottled bee-fly Thyridanthrax fenestratus ✓Heath bee-fly Bombylius minor ✓A weevil Cathormiocerus britannicus ✓A water beetle Graphoderus cinerus ✓Wart-biter bush cricket ✓A spider Enoplagnatha tecta ✓Ladybird spider ✓Pink sea fan ✓ ✓White-clawed crayfish ✓Also Environment Agency ‘South Wessex white clawed crayfish BAP’

VertebratesGreat crested newt ✓ ✓ ✓Sand lizard ✓ ✓ ✓Nightjar ✓Little tern ✓ (sea birds) ✓Otter ✓Water vole ✓ ✓Pipistrelle bat ✓Harbour porpoise ✓

Summary of next steps to be taken by the When by:Dorset Biodiversity Partnership

1 Prepare action plans for the selected priority habitats and All plans to be publishedspecies and follow through with programmes of implementation by end 2004and monitoring.

2 Using the selected criteria, identify which priority species End 2003require action plans.

3 Set local targets for priority habitats, using the Natural Area End of 2003targets as a baseline.

2 PROGRAMMESOF ACTION FORTOPICS ANDHABITATS

2.1 IntroductionTopic Action Plans

Threats to biodiversity and the constraints to achieving conservation goals are identified in the UK BAP and the England BiodiversityStrategy. Many of these arise from overarching issues relating to the current use of land, air and water, and our systems forregulating this use. Lobbying government to change the policy framework governing land use is an essential part of the biodiversityplanning process, and is being undertaken mainly at a national and regional level. The role of the Dorset Biodiversity Strategy is toseek solutions to these issues, where possible within the existing policy framework.

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This part of the strategy seeks to integrate biodiversity conservation into the key economic sectors thatmost influence it. The topic areas of forestry, agriculture, freshwater management, and coastal andmarine issues are reviewed, and programmes of action set out for each in Topic Action Plans.

It is hoped that this approach will help integrate concern for biodiversity in other cross-sectorinitiatives, such as the AONB Management Plans and forthcoming Community Strategies.

Habitat Statements

Habitats Statements have been developed for the following habitats, grouped under the sector thatmost affects them:

Forestry and Woodland Management

● Lowland mixed deciduous woodland

● Wet woodland

● Beech and yew

Agriculture

● Lowland meadows

● Purple moor grass and rush pasture

● Lowland calcareous grassland

● Lowland dry acid grassland

● Ancient &/or species rich hedgerows

● Arable land

● Ponds

Freshwater Management

● Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh

● Chalk streams

● Reedbeds

● Fens

Coastal and Marine Issues

● Coastal habitats (Group Statement)

● Marine habitats (Group Statement)

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A Habitat Statement has notbeen prepared for Eutrophicstanding waters (lakes andreservoirs) due to the smallamount of this habitat in thecounty. A Habitat Statementhas not been prepared forValley Mires, although thisis a local priority habitat

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The following habitats do not appear within a Topic. Although affected by agriculture and forestry thespecific issues are unique. These habitats therefore appear in separate sections; 2.6 and 2.7.

● Lowland wood pasture, parkland and veteran trees.

● Lowland heathland.

There is inevitably some overlap and inter-relationship between the topics and habitats. For example,coastal and floodplain grazing marsh is affected by both agricultural and freshwater managementissues. As far as possible these overlaps are identified within each Topic Action Plan. Table 4 providesa quick reference for where this inter-relationship occurs.

Each habitat is affected by the generic issues and actions within the relevant Topic Action Plan, andtherefore Habitat Statements should not be read in isolation.

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Prioritising habitat action

This strategy does not prioritise which habitats require the most urgent action, as threats andopportunities are often on a site by site basis. However, each Habitat Statement provides informationon the overall status of the habitat in Dorset. Depending on the criteria applied, habitats can beprioritised by their decline rate, rarity, lack of knowledge of the resource, the potential to extend/linkhabitats etc.

Table 4 The relationship between priority habitats and the sectors that affect them

Habitats Forestry Agriculture Freshwater Marine andmanagement Coastal

issues

Lowland mixed deciduous woodland 3

Beech and yew woodland 3

Wet woodland 3 3

Lowland wood pasture and parkland 3 3

Ancient &/or species rich hedgerows 3

Arable land 3

Coastal & floodplain grazing marsh 3 3

Lowland meadows 3

Lowland calcareous grassland 3

Lowland dry acid grassland 3

Lowland heathland 3 3

Purple moor and rush pastures 3 3

Fens 3 3

Reedbeds 3 3

Ponds 3 3

Chalk streams 3 3

Maritime cliff and slope 3 3

Coastal vegetated shingle 3

Coastal sand dunes 3

Littoral chalk 3

Coastal saltmarsh 3 3

Mudflats 3

Sheltered muddy gravels 3

Marine : 3 3

Maerl bedsMud in deep waterSabellaria spinulosa reefsSublittoral sands and gravelsSublittoral chalkTidal rapidsSaline lagoonsSeagrass bedsBrittlestar bedsMytelis edulis beds

FORE

STRY

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2.2 TOPIC ACTION PLAN:Forestry and Woodland Management

15Fun

gi o

n ro

tten

tree

by

Gra

ham

Hat

herle

y

IntroductionForests and woodlands are quintessential features of the Dorset landscape supporting a wealth ofbiodiversity, including a high proportion of BAP species. Woods and forests can provide a renewablesource of materials and energy, as well as a range of environmental and social benefits. They canhave an important role in protecting water catchments and in floodplain management.

In the past, commercial restocking using conifers and in some cases non-native broadleaves wasseverely impacting upon ancient woodland sites. However, with increased awareness and changes innational policy, this is less of a threat. This legacy presents new challenges as the natural and culturalvalue of ancient woods is accepted and their restoration to native broadleaves is now a priority. Thebiodiversity of Dorset’s woodlands is the result of wildlife adapting to generations of past managementpractices. The future of woodland biodiversity is therefore intrinsically linked to its continuingmanagement but this may need new direction.

The key issues are climate change and the need for carbon sequestration, rising deer numbers,isolation, fragmentation and the place of woods and wood products in the present and future economyand landscape. The world market influences timber prices, imports and changes peoples’expectations of wood which has to compete with man made materials. We need to continue growingand planting conifer for high quality timber and combine this with social benefits. Many plantationscould be restructured and species and habitat diversity improved.

The England Forestry Strategy includes biodiversity and socio-economic benefits as significantelements of its key programmes towards multi-purpose forestry. The UK Woodland Assurance Scheme(UKWAS) has similar requirements for Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. The WoodlandGrant Scheme, is the principal funding stream for delivering these benefits in Dorset.

The forecast of a continued decline in the price for timber and wood products has reduced theeconomic viability of forestry enterprises based on low quality softwood and high restocking costs andthereby management activity for biodiversity.

Dorset has a legacy of plantations on heathlands and wetlands of high conservation value, much ofthis in public sector ownership. Their removal to recreate open ground of high nature conservationvalue is accepted but there is a requirement to replace some of the forest cover with new plantingdelivering environmental and socio-economic benefits.

16

FORE

STRY

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17

Vision for woodland and forestry (from the ‘England Biodiversity Strategy’ DEFRA 2002)

‘ Woodland and forests that are being managed and extended in a manner that enhances bothwoodland and non-woodland species and habitats, and at the same time are providing a wide rangeof sustainable goods, environmental services and recreational benefits which enhance people’s qualityof life.’

Aims

● To conserve the biodiversity of semi-natural woodlands, particularly ancient semi-natural woodland.

● To enhance, extend and restore the existing native woodland resource.

Impacts

● Loss of woodland

● Woodlands in the wrong place – i.e. the historical legacy of planting on heathland or unimproved grassland

● Relationship with the agricultural sector – increase in intensive farming and incentives over the last 50 years has left little opportunity for the development of woodlands in the farmed landscape.

● Economic downturn in timber and wood products markets

● Lack of, or inappropriate, management, or neglect leading to change in internal structure and diversity

● Fragmentation and isolation of semi-natural woodlands

● Wrong type of woods – i.e. past conversion to conifer and non-native species

● Damage/ colonisation by invasive alien species and pest species

● Not enough knowledge of the Dorset resource

● Low level of awareness by the public and conservation/forestry sector of the link between woodlands and wood products.

The following table recommends key actions to address these impacts.

Suggested Headline Indicators

● Condition of woodland SSSIs and SNCIs

● Progress towards Dorset woodland habitat targets (to be determined)

● Area of ancient woodland under an approved management scheme

● Area of native woodland created

● Area of new mixed forests established, delivering environmental and socio-economic benefits.

● Improved status of woodland birds (Quality of Life Indicator)

● Total area of woodland under active management

● Area of plantations on ancient woodland sites.

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

Po

licy

and

leg

isla

tio

n

Loss

of w

oodl

ands

App

licat

ion

of le

gisl

atio

n e.

g. E

UC

RoW

Act

has

pro

vide

d a

reso

urce

str

eam

1.C

ompl

ete

and

publ

ish

revi

ew o

f anc

ient

EN

Hab

itats

Dire

ctiv

e, C

RoW

Act

200

0,to

EN

to d

eliv

er fa

vour

able

man

agem

ent f

orw

oodl

and

inve

ntor

y.Tr

ee P

rese

rvat

ion

Ord

ers,

SS

SIs

by

2010

Fel

ling

licen

ces

2.Lo

bby

for

Pla

nnin

g P

olic

y G

uida

nce

(P

PG

s) fo

rE

N, W

Tw

oods

and

tree

s, o

r st

rong

er p

olic

ies

in e

xist

ing

Iden

tific

atio

n an

d no

tific

atio

n of

Onl

y gi

ves

limite

d pr

otec

tion

for

SN

CIs

PP

Gs

for

anci

ent w

oodl

and.

woo

dlan

ds a

s S

SS

I and

Site

of N

atur

eth

roug

h th

e pl

anni

ng s

yste

m, b

ut ta

rget

sC

onse

rvat

ion

Impo

rtan

ce (

SN

CI)

man

agem

ent a

dvic

e3.

Lobb

y to

de-

coup

le d

eliv

ery

of fo

rest

pol

icy

from

EN

, WT

gran

t and

lice

nsin

g sy

stem

.

Woo

dlan

ds in

wro

ngTo

mor

row

’s H

eath

land

Her

itage

4.D

evel

op c

riter

ia to

gui

de th

e co

mpe

nsat

ory

plan

ting

FE

, Dor

set

pl

ace

– i.e

his

toric

alP

rogr

amm

e re

stor

ing

1000

ha o

f hea

thof

bro

adle

aved

and

con

ifer

woo

dlan

d, in

line

with

the

AO

NB

le

gacy

of p

lant

ing

onby

rem

oval

of c

onife

rsph

ased

red

uctio

n of

con

ifers

on

heat

hs.

heat

hlan

dE

SA

gra

nts

used

to c

lear

pla

ntat

ions

The

re a

re in

suffi

cien

t mec

hani

sms

to d

eal w

ithfr

om s

ome

dow

nlan

d si

tes

rem

oval

of p

lant

atio

ns o

n fo

rmer

gra

ssla

nd s

ites

(prio

r to

the

cano

py c

losi

ng)

Rel

atio

nshi

p w

ithA

gri-E

nviro

nmen

t Sch

eme

Rev

ised

agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

es li

kely

to5.

Dev

elop

gui

delin

es fo

r la

ndow

ners

, rur

al la

ndD

orse

t AO

NB

,ag

ricul

tura

l sec

tor

–R

evie

w u

nder

way

.in

corp

orat

e w

oodl

and

/ for

estr

y is

sues

inad

viso

rs a

nd p

lann

ers

in o

rder

to g

uide

new

woo

dlan

dE

N, F

Ci.e

woo

dlan

d in

cent

ives

som

e w

ay. B

eing

dev

elop

ed n

atio

nally

.pl

antin

g to

max

imis

e bi

odiv

ersi

ty g

ain.

can’

t com

pete

Nat

iona

l rev

iew

of W

oodl

and

Gra

ntR

evie

w m

ay in

crea

se fu

nds

for

man

agin

g6.

Ens

ure

stru

ctur

e an

d im

plem

enta

tion

of n

ewF

CS

chem

e an

d F

arm

Woo

dlan

d P

rem

ium

ex

istin

g w

oodl

and.

Dev

olut

ion

of F

C w

ill

sche

me

achi

eves

wild

life

bene

fits.

Sch

eme

unde

rway

allo

w r

egio

nal t

arge

ting

of g

rant

s

Man

agem

ent

Eco

nom

ic d

ownt

urn

inU

K W

oodl

and

Ass

uran

ce S

chem

eTo

o ex

pens

ive

for

smal

l woo

ds7.

In li

aiso

n w

ith s

urro

undi

ng c

ount

ies,

pro

duce

aW

oodl

and

woo

d pr

oduc

ts m

arke

ts(U

KW

AS

) ce

rtifi

catio

n an

d F

ores

try

‘woo

d pr

oduc

ts a

nd m

arke

ting

stra

tegy

’ with

the

aim

For

umS

tew

ards

hip

Cou

ncil

(FS

C)

of c

reat

ing

a m

arke

t for

sus

tain

able

woo

dlan

d pr

oduc

e. la

belli

ng s

chem

eIn

clud

e re

com

men

datio

ns o

f how

the

FS

C la

belli

ngsc

hem

e ca

n be

enc

oura

ged

in D

orse

t.D

orse

t Cop

pice

Gro

up –

dire

ctor

y of

copp

ice

wor

kers

and

pro

duct

s8.

Inve

stig

ate

the

pote

ntia

l for

ext

endi

ng th

e F

arm

ers

Woo

dlan

dM

arke

t ini

tiativ

e to

incl

ude

loca

l woo

d pr

oduc

ts.

For

umLo

cal p

roce

ssin

g an

d m

arke

ting

sche

mes

‘Eco

-lots

’ – a

dire

ctor

y fo

r w

oodl

and

and

fore

stry

.

Wes

t Dor

set D

istr

ict C

ounc

il an

d P

oole

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

Bor

ough

Cou

ncil

bid

for

a w

ood

fuel

ener

gy p

lant

18

FORE

STRY

AN

D W

OO

DLA

ND

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

Man

agem

ent

con

t . .

.

Eco

nom

ic d

ownt

urn

inE

ngla

nd R

ural

Dev

elop

men

t Pla

n(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)(s

ee p

revi

ous

woo

d pr

oduc

ts m

arke

ts(E

RD

P)

sche

mes

for

the

deve

lopm

ent

page

)co

nt .

. .of

new

pro

duct

s an

d m

arke

ts

LEA

DE

R+

Gra

nt

Lack

of,

or in

appr

opria

teM

anag

emen

t Gra

nts

avai

labl

eA

dvic

e to

land

owne

rs, a

nd h

elp

with

9.

Bui

ldin

g on

the

mod

el o

f the

Pur

beck

Bio

dive

rsity

Dor

set A

ON

B,

man

agem

ent

(e.g

. Woo

dlan

d G

rant

Sch

eme)

gran

t app

licat

ions

is c

ruci

al. F

C o

nly

have

Pro

ject

, see

k fu

ndin

g fo

r la

ndow

ner

liais

onLA

’sth

e re

sour

ces

to b

e re

activ

e. P

roac

tive

wor

k to

cov

er o

ther

app

ropr

iate

are

as o

f Dor

set.

LEA

DE

R+

Gra

nt h

as th

e po

tent

ial t

ota

rget

ed a

dvic

e is

mos

t effe

ctiv

e. P

urbe

ckbe

nefit

woo

dlan

d m

anag

emen

t in

Bio

dive

rsity

Pro

ject

is s

een

as a

n ef

fect

ive

wes

t Dor

set.

mod

el to

em

ulat

e ac

ross

oth

er a

reas

of D

orse

t, bu

t has

yet

to ta

ckle

woo

dlan

ds

Land

man

agem

ent a

dvic

e pr

ojec

ts10

.Dev

elop

a c

ount

y-w

ide

Adv

isor

For

um to

Dor

set A

ON

B,

co-o

rdin

ate

and

targ

et a

ppro

ache

s to

land

owne

rsLA

’sin

a s

trat

egic

way

.

FW

AG

Who

le F

arm

Pla

nsM

ore

join

ed u

p w

orki

ng w

ould

ena

ble

11.T

hrou

gh th

e F

orum

, dev

elop

an

advi

sor

netw

ork,

Dor

set A

ON

B,

advi

sors

to u

tilis

e th

e kn

owle

dge

and

to p

rom

ote

cons

iste

ncy

of a

dvic

e w

hile

offe

ring

aP

urbe

ck B

AP,

expe

rienc

es o

foth

ers,

and

incr

ease

link

s si

ngle

poi

nt o

f con

tact

for

a la

ndow

ner.

LA’s

to o

ther

sus

tain

able

initi

ativ

ese.

g. fa

rm b

usin

ess

advi

ce

The

re m

ay b

e a

lack

of a

war

enes

s am

ong

12.T

hrou

gh th

e F

orum

, inc

reas

e th

e pr

ofile

and

Dor

set A

ON

B,

land

owne

rs o

f the

adv

isor

y se

rvic

es a

vaila

ble

repu

tatio

n of

the

advi

sory

ser

vice

, thr

ough

mar

ketin

gP

urbe

ck B

AP,

to th

emin

itiat

ives

etc

.LA

’s

Eng

lish

Nat

ure

Dem

onst

ratio

n S

ites

Woo

ds to

o sm

all –

Woo

dlan

d cr

eatio

n gr

ants

ava

ilabl

e P

ilot ‘

WG

S J

igsa

w G

rant

Sch

eme’

targ

eted

at

13.E

nsur

e th

e ‘c

ompe

nsat

ory

plan

ting

crite

ria’

Dor

set W

oodl

and

frag

men

tatio

n an

d is

olat

ion

(e.g

. Woo

dlan

d G

rant

Sch

eme,

Far

m

linki

ng a

ncie

nt w

oodl

ands

, exp

ecte

d to

be

rolle

d(s

ee a

ctio

n 4

abo

ve)

prio

ritis

es d

e-fr

agm

enta

tion

For

um

Woo

dlan

d P

rem

ium

Sch

eme)

out a

cros

s th

e co

untr

y so

on.

of s

emi-n

atur

al w

oods

, in

part

icul

ar a

ncie

nt s

emi-

natu

ral w

oodl

and.

14.Id

entif

y br

oad

targ

et a

reas

for

woo

dlan

dE

N, F

Cpl

antin

g, p

riorit

isin

g lin

ks a

nd b

uffe

rs to

anc

ient

Dor

set A

ON

B,

woo

dlan

d si

tes,

bas

ed o

n W

oodl

and

Trus

tLA

’s, W

Tre

sear

ch.

14a.

Enc

oura

ge la

ndow

ners

in id

entif

ied

area

sto

mai

ntai

n, r

esto

re a

nd li

nk s

emi-n

atur

al(c

ontin

ued

over

leaf

)w

oodl

and.

19

FORE

STRY

AN

D W

OO

DLA

ND

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

Man

agem

ent

con

t . .

.

Wro

ng ty

pes

of w

oods

–M

anag

emen

t Gra

nts

avai

labl

e 15

.Est

ablis

h be

st p

ract

ice

dem

onst

ratio

n si

tes

Dor

set W

oodl

and

e.g.

pas

t con

vers

ion

to(e

.g. W

oodl

and

Gra

nt S

chem

e)fo

r re

stor

atio

n of

rep

lant

ed a

ncie

nt w

oods

,F

orum

,co

nife

r an

d no

n na

tive

cont

inuo

us c

over

fore

stry

, hig

h fo

rest

man

agem

ent,

spec

ies.

For

est E

nter

pris

e ‘F

ores

t Des

ign

Pla

ns’

sust

aina

ble

gam

e m

anag

emen

t, an

d co

ppic

em

anag

emen

t, ba

sed

on N

atur

al A

reas

P

urbe

ck s

urve

y of

Pla

nted

(a la

ndsc

ape

scal

e ap

proa

ch).

Anc

ient

Woo

dlan

ds

Sm

all s

cale

SS

SI r

esto

ratio

n

Woo

dlan

d Tr

ust/

Eng

lish

Nat

ure

rese

arch

into

res

tora

tion

tech

niqu

es

Ong

oing

rem

oval

of c

onife

r on

som

e si

tes

Dam

age

caus

ed b

yA

d-ho

c co

ntro

l by

site

man

ager

sE

ffect

iven

ess

of c

urre

nt a

ctio

n no

t kn

own

16.R

evie

w e

ffect

iven

ess

of c

urre

nt a

ctiv

ity, a

ndE

N, F

Epe

st s

peci

esre

com

men

d fu

rthe

r ac

tion

requ

ired.

Thr

ough

the

Dee

r In

itiat

ive,

dee

rN

eare

st D

eer

Initi

ativ

e O

ffice

r is

bas

ed in

man

agem

ent g

roup

s ar

e be

ing

Sal

isbu

ry, w

hich

affe

cts

the

leve

l of s

uppo

rt17

.Exp

lore

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r ve

niso

n m

arke

ts, t

hrou

ghD

orse

t Woo

dlan

des

tabl

ishe

d, e

.g. P

urbe

ck B

asin

Dee

rav

aila

ble

in W

est D

orse

t.LE

AD

ER

+ a

nd D

orse

t Foo

d Li

nks.

For

umM

anag

emen

t Gro

up18

.See

k fu

nds

for

a st

udy

into

the

econ

omic

and

Dor

set W

oodl

and

Sik

a de

er p

opul

atio

n in

Pur

beck

bei

ngen

viro

nmen

tal i

mpl

icat

ions

of d

eer

dam

age.

For

umm

anag

ed th

roug

h an

ann

ual c

ull.

Als

ore

sear

ch u

nder

take

n in

to th

e ef

fect

s of

19.R

aise

aw

aren

ess

amon

gst l

ando

wne

rs o

f dee

rE

N, D

WT,

Sik

a de

er g

razi

ng p

ress

ure,

and

man

agem

ent i

ssue

s th

roug

h ad

viso

ry v

isits

,P

urbe

ck B

AP,

rese

arch

on

popu

latio

n dy

nam

ics

dem

onst

ratio

n si

tes,

ven

ison

pro

duct

s m

arke

ting

etc.

NT,

FC

Col

onis

atio

n by

Targ

eted

rem

oval

on

desi

gnat

ed s

ites,

20.O

ffer

advi

ce to

land

owne

rs o

n co

ntro

l of

FW

AG

, DW

T,in

vasi

ve p

lant

san

d so

me

othe

r si

tes.

inva

sive

pla

nts

as p

art o

f an

advi

ce s

ervi

ceP

urbe

ck B

AP,

NT

look

ing

at a

who

le fa

rm/ l

and

unit

appr

oach

.

Woo

dlan

d Im

prov

emen

t Gra

nt21

.Fac

ilita

te c

o-or

dina

tion

betw

een

neig

hbou

rs to

deal

with

larg

e-sc

ale

infe

stat

ions

.

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Not

eno

ugh

know

ledg

e of

EN

mon

itorin

g to

ol ‘G

uide

lines

on

22.E

stab

lish

a m

etho

dolo

gy fo

r as

sess

men

t of S

NC

ID

ER

C, D

WT,

the

stat

us o

f the

Dor

set

Con

ditio

n A

sses

smen

ts’ p

ublis

hed

woo

dlan

ds a

nd o

ther

site

s, b

ased

on

para

met

ers

used

EN

reso

urce

for

SS

SI a

sses

smen

ts.

Dor

set A

ncie

nt W

oodl

and

Inve

ntor

y up

date

Dat

aset

ava

ilabl

e fr

om D

ER

C o

n w

oodl

and

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

owne

r ty

pes

for

Dor

set w

oodl

ands

20

FORE

STRY

AN

D W

OO

DLA

ND

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

21

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

Low

leve

l of p

ublic

UK

Woo

dlan

d A

ssur

ance

Sch

eme

23.E

nsur

e lo

cal w

oodl

and

prod

ucts

are

par

t of a

FE

, Dor

set

awar

enes

s of

the

link

(UK

WA

S)

cert

ifica

tion

and

For

estr

yw

ider

agr

icul

tura

l ini

tiativ

e to

‘rec

onne

ct p

eopl

e w

ithA

ON

B, E

N, L

A’s

betw

een

woo

dlan

ds a

ndS

tew

ards

hip

Cou

ncil

(FS

C)

labe

lling

the

coun

trys

ide’

.w

ood

prod

ucts

sche

me

FC

initi

ativ

esE

N ‘I

n P

rais

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Tre

es’ i

nitia

tive

Pre

pare

d in

con

sulta

tion

with

:

But

terf

ly C

onse

rvat

ion

Dor

set B

ranc

h, D

orse

t AO

NB

, Dor

set W

ildlif

eTru

st, E

nglis

h N

atur

e,F

ores

try

Com

mis

sion

, For

est E

nter

pris

e, P

urbe

ck B

iodi

vers

ity P

roje

ct, W

oodl

and

Trus

t.

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

DE

RC

– D

orse

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ironm

enta

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ord

Cen

tre

DW

T –

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set W

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Dor

set

AO

NB

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ural

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EN

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rust

WT

– W

oodl

and

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t

FORE

STRY

AN

D W

OO

DLA

ND

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

2.2.1 LOWLAND MIXED DECIDUOUS WOODLANDNational Lead Partner: Forestry Commission

Habitat description

This is a large habitat category that incorporates most of the semi-natural woodland in Dorset.Categories include:

● Ancient semi-natural woods (semi-natural stands on ancient sites)

● Other semi-natural woods (semi-natural stands on more recent woodland sites)

It does not include wet woodland or beech and yew woodlands, which both have their own UK HabitatAction Plan. For the purposes of this Habitat Statement, planted ancient woodland is included.

Lowland mixed deciduous woodland in Dorset consists mainly of small farm woodlands which havebeen traditionally managed as coppice-with-standards. The main focus of woodland conservation effortin Dorset is on ancient woodlands, since these are generally the richest in wildlife. The days whenancient woodland was converted to conifer plantations are now gone.

Specific Impacts

The impacts and actions for this habitat are captured within the Forestry and Woodland ManagementTable. Therefore no separate plan has been prepared.

Natural Area Targets: there are no Natural Area targets set for this habitat

22

Key at Appendix C

Habitat status criteria Dorset status

UK Priority habitat ✓

SAC/SPA interest feature in Dorset ✓ (Brackett’s Coppice)

Important for UK BAP species ✓

Local decline Mainly in the 50s and 60s

Proportion of UK habitat in Dorset Modest

Local threat Direct

Local rarity Scarce

Potential to extend/ link habitat fragments High

Survey priority Medium






- Due to limited resources target effort around key areas e.g. designated sites/ Sitesof Nature Conservation importaboas which link and buffer these sites


- Policies/ activities are effective, and adjusted if not

- The Strategy adapts to changing circumstances

- Existing wildlife interest is not neglected in favour of new projects

- Data are gathered, collated and disseminated to maintain and enhance our

knowledge of Dorset’s wildlife.Objectives

1 Maintain the extent and quality of the existing resource, through appropriate management,prioritising ancient woodland.

2 Restore ancient woodland sites which have been planted with, or colonised by non-nativespecies, prioritising sites with the best native flora left.

3 Increase the area of native woodland in Dorset, through natural regeneration and planting,targeting links between existing woodlands or other semi-natural habitats, and where this doesnot conflict with existing wildlife, landscape and archaeological interests.

4 Manage for ancient trees and dead wood habitat in woodland sites.

5 Continue to conduct research and monitoring which will add to our knowledge and understandingof woodland habitats and species, their distribution and management.

6 Provide opportunities for education, access and awareness raising initiatives in appropriatewoodland sites.

Tim

ber

Rem

oval

by

Mar

k B

rette

ll

2.2.2 WET WOODLANDNational Lead Partner: Forestry Commission

Habitat description

These woodlands have formed on seasonally or permanently water-logged soils, and have a canopyoften dominated by Alder, Downy Birch and Willow species. Two areas of the county are particularlyimportant:

1 The floodplains of rivers in the Dorset Heaths Natural Area.

2 Springlines and seepages in the Wessex Vales Natural Area.

Wet woodland includes both ancient and more recent stands, both of which are of high conservationimportance. This habitat may be found in conjunction with fen and swamp habitats.

Specific Impacts

(The impacts and actions for type 1 wet woods are mainly captured within the Freshwater ManagementTable at 2.4. Similarly, for type 2 wet woods see the Forestry and Woodland Management Table at 2.2.)

● River management - bankside clearance of trees etc.

Natural Area Targets: see appendix D

23

Key at Appendix C



SAC/SPA interest feature in Dorset ✓


Local decline Stable


Local threat Direct

Local rarity Rare

Potential to extend/ link habitat fragments Medium

Survey priority High












knowledge of Dorset’s wildlife. Objectives

1 Maintain the extent and quality of existing habitat, through appropriate management.

2 Restore existing wet woodlands that have become degraded.

3 Increase the area of native wet woodland in Dorset, primarily through natural regeneration.Expansion should include networks of riparian woodlands linking existing wet woodlandsand other woodland types, where this does not conflict with other biodiversity interests.

4 Continue to conduct research and monitoring which will add to our knowledge andunderstanding of woodland habitats and species, their distribution and management.

5 Raise the profile of the value and importance of wet woodland to the biodiversity of Dorset.

PotentialImpacts Current action Evaluation Recommended action partners

Management

River Some flood defence Non routine works are Identify important wet Environment

management works involve screened for biodiversity woodland sites and ensure Agency

-bankside removal of fallen impact by EA. Routine that routine flood defenceclearance of trees, debris dams works are not. Therefore works do not adverselytrees etc etc. unclear of overall impact. impact on these sites.

25

Fun

gi b

y G

raha

m H

athe

rley

2.2.3 LOWLAND BEECH AND YEW WOODLANDNational Lead Partner: Forestry Commission

Habitat description

These woodlands have a restricted distribution in Dorset. Several small Yew woodlands are found onthe scarp of the chalk in the north-east. Beech is on the western limit of its native distribution in Dorset,but is an important constituent of two ancient woodlands in the east of the county. Both are formerwood-pasture.

Specific Impacts

The impacts and actions for this habitat are captured within the Forestry and Woodland ManagementTable. Therefore no separate plan has been prepared.

Natural Area Targets: see Appendix D

26

Key at Appendix C



SAC/SPA interest feature in Dorset

Important for UK BAP species


Proportion of UK habitat in Dorset Low

Local threat Direct

Local rarity Rare


Survey priority Low













Objectives

1 Maintain the extent and quality of existing semi-natural resource.

2 Restore degraded semi-natural beech and yew woodlands.

3 Continue to conduct research and monitoring which will add to our knowledge andunderstanding of woodland habitats and species, their distribution and management.

4 Provide opportunities for education, access and awareness raising activities.

AG

RICU

LTU

RE

2.3 TOPIC ACTION PLAN:Agriculture

27

Aut

umn

Hed

ge b

y M

ary

Har

old

IntroductionApproximately 73% of the land surface in Dorset is agricultural land, with the influence extending wellbeyond this. Farming therefore plays a pivotal role in biodiversity conservation. Dorset has a longhistory of traditional mixed farming, particularly arable cultivation closely linked to downland pastoralsystems. Dorset’s countryside has been shaped by farming activities and many semi-natural habitatsnow depend on the continuation of some traditional practices.

Two broad trends in agricultural change have occurred over the last 50 years – intensification andspecialisation, at an individual and county level. Land previously farmed at low intensity, or not at all,has been brought into intensive use, and the intensity of farming on the existing cultivated or grazedland has increased. Many mixed farming systems have been abandoned in favour of specialist arableor livestock enterprises, and the variety of crops and livestock has been reduced. This has sometimesled to abandonment of management of traditionally grazed areas. These changes have largely been asa result of international agreements that are binding to UK agriculture policy, such as the CommonAgriculture Policy (CAP) and World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. These policies have largelyfavoured food production at the expense of conservation of biodiversity and protection of thelandscape.

It is widely accepted that farming in Britain is at a crossroads. There is a growing demand foragricultural land to be managed to enhance the environment as well as production objectives. The keydelivery mechanism for this being agri-environment schemes. This is being driven by public policy andeconomic opportunity to link an attractive and diverse countryside to farming activities.

There are strong links between the agriculture and freshwater management sectors, in that freshwaterhabitats exist in an agricultural landscape and are directly or indirectly affected by agriculturalpractices. These impacts are dealt with in the Freshwater Management chapter at 2.4.

A Vision for the Agricultural Sector (from ‘The England Biodiversity Strategy’, DEFRA 2002)

‘ An economically viable agriculture industry in which farmers and growers are valued for, and are ableto maximise, their contribution to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity associated withfarmed and semi-natural habitats.’

Aims

● To improve the quantity and quality of biodiversity on agricultural land in Dorset

● To reduce the negative effects, and enhance the positive effects, of agriculture on the wider environment.

Impacts

● Current agricultural policy framework

● Previous agricultural intensification leading to loss, fragmentation and change of habitats

● Decline in traditional farming practices leading to unmanaged land

● Difficulty in obtaining local provenance seed for re-creation of grasslands

● Effects of antibiotics and certain worming agents.

● Lack of systematic biological monitoring of the effectiveness of conservation management on agricultural habitats.

● The availability of land management advice.



● A reverse in the decline in the number of farmland birds by 2020

● Area of land under an agri-environment scheme

● Progress towards farmland habitat and species targets

● Condition of SSSIs and SCNIs

28

AG

RICU

LTU

RE

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

Po

licy

and

leg

isla

tio

n

Cur

rent

agr

icul

tura

lA

pplic

atio

n of

legi

slat

ion:

e.g

. EU

C

RoW

Act

has

pro

vide

d a

reso

urce

str

eam

to

1.C

ontin

ue to

use

ince

ntiv

es a

nd n

ew p

ower

s un

der

EN

, DE

FR

A

polic

y fr

amew

ork

Hab

itats

Dire

ctiv

e, C

RoW

Act

, EIA

EN

to d

eliv

er fa

vour

able

man

agem

ent f

or S

SS

IsC

RoW

to e

ncou

rage

SS

SI l

ando

wne

rs to

man

age

(Unc

ultiv

ated

Lan

d &

Sem

i-nat

ural

Are

as)

by 2

010.

Als

o ac

hiev

ed th

roug

h ag

ri-en

viro

nmen

tto

war

ds fa

vour

able

sta

tus

Reg

ulat

ions

, to

enco

urag

e S

SS

Isc

hem

es.

NF

U, D

WT,

FW

AG

,la

ndow

ners

to m

anag

e to

war

ds2.

Rev

iew

util

isat

ion

of g

rant

sch

emes

in th

e co

unty

RS

PB

, DE

FR

A, P

HC

fa

vour

able

sta

tus

Too

early

to a

sses

s ef

fect

iven

ess

of E

IA R

egs.

to d

eter

min

e m

isse

d op

port

uniti

es.

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set A

ON

B, L

A’s

Agr

i-env

ironm

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chem

esA

gri-e

nviro

nmen

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emes

are

a k

ey d

eliv

ery

3.E

nsur

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ruct

ure

and

impl

emen

tatio

n of

sch

eme

DE

FR

A, F

WA

G, P

HC

mec

hani

sm, a

nd w

idel

y av

aila

ble

in D

orse

t.ac

hiev

es w

ildlif

e be

nefit

sD

orse

t AO

NB

, DW

T

DE

FR

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gri-e

nviro

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eme

revi

ewR

evie

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nder

way

. Will

incl

ude

an ‘e

ntry

(See

act

ion

6 in

the

Fre

shw

ater

Man

agem

ent T

able

)le

vel s

chem

e’ -

may

invo

lve

who

le fa

rm p

lans

.T

here

will

con

tinue

to b

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‘nar

row

and

deep

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eme’

.

Nitr

ate

Vul

nera

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Zon

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Far

m W

aste

Ava

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alm

ost 5

0% o

f lan

dow

ners

inM

anag

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eme

Dor

set.

Too

new

to a

sses

s ef

fect

iven

ess.

Set

-asi

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efor

mB

eing

rev

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t EU

leve

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Man

agem

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Pre

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ricul

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gri-

envi

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chem

esO

ffers

ince

ntiv

es to

man

age

land

mor

e (S

ee a

ctio

n 2

& 3

abo

ve)

inte

nsifi

catio

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adin

g to

exte

nsiv

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habi

tat l

oss,

frag

men

tatio

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dvis

ory

serv

ices

(See

eva

luat

ion

unde

r ra

isin

g aw

aren

ess)

(See

all

actio

ns u

nder

rai

sing

aw

aren

ess)

and

chan

geD

emon

stra

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even

ts a

re h

eld

atO

ne d

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stra

tion

farm

cur

rent

ly e

xist

s in

4.Id

entif

y a

netw

ork

of d

emon

stra

tion

site

s th

at w

illN

FU

, FW

AG

,su

itabl

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catio

ns to

sho

w b

est p

ract

ice

Dor

set t

o de

mon

stra

te a

who

le fa

rm a

ppro

ach

‘dov

etai

l’ in

to th

e de

velo

ping

nat

iona

l dem

onst

ratio

nD

EF

RA

, EN

, DW

T,fo

r e.

g. h

edge

row

mai

nten

ance

farm

sch

eme

LA’s

, P

urbe

ck B

AP

Nee

d to

targ

et li

mite

d fu

nds

by ta

king

a s

trat

egic

5a.Id

entif

y po

tent

ial a

reas

for

larg

e-sc

ale

re-c

reat

ion

Thr

ough

Dor

set

view

of a

reas

/ site

s fo

r pr

eser

vatio

n,of

sem

i-nat

ural

hab

itats

thro

ugh

a m

ap b

ased

Bio

dive

rsity

man

agem

ent,

rest

orat

ion,

cre

atio

n an

d jo

inin

gco

nsul

tatio

n ex

erci

se.

Par

tner

ship

up o

f mat

rices

of s

emi-n

atur

al h

abita

ts in

a w

ay th

at w

ill a

llow

wild

life

to th

rive.

5b.Id

entif

y lin

king

and

buf

ferin

g ha

bita

t cre

atio

nT

hrou

gh D

orse

t Bio

oppo

rtun

ities

to c

reat

e m

osai

cs o

f sem

i-nat

ural

hab

itat.

-div

ersi

ty P

artn

ersh

ip

5c. S

et u

p a

part

ners

hip

proj

ect t

o im

plem

ent

NF

U, D

EF

RA

, FW

AG

,on

the

grou

nd 5

a. a

nd 5

b.D

WT,

RS

PB

, LA

’s

Hab

itat r

e-cr

eatio

n sc

hem

es a

vaila

ble

Flo

ra L

ocal

e w

orki

ng in

the

sout

h w

est t

o6.

Est

ablis

h a

syst

em (

e.g

data

base

) of

Dor

set n

ativ

e D

EF

RA

, EN

, th

roug

h ag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t sch

emes

esta

blis

h su

pply

of n

ativ

e se

ed to

mee

t gro

win

gse

ed d

onor

and

rec

ipie

nt s

ites

to o

ptim

ise

ava

ilabi

lity

NF

U, D

WT

dem

and.

Gra

nt-a

idin

g fo

r na

tive

seed

sou

rces

for

re-c

reat

ion

sche

mes

Flo

ra(c

ontin

ued

over

leaf

)av

aila

ble

unde

r ag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t sch

emes

.Lo

cale

29

AG

RICU

LTU

RE

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

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artn

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Man

agem

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con

t .

. .

Dec

line

in tr

aditi

onal

Far

min

g co

-ope

rativ

es a

re b

eing

set

up

Co-

oper

ativ

es b

eing

set

up

for

econ

omic

and

7.O

ffer

advi

ce to

co-

oper

ativ

es a

nd in

divi

dual

s on

how

NF

U, F

WA

G,

farm

ing

prac

tices

lead

ing

all o

ver

Dor

set t

o re

-est

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h lo

cal f

ood

soci

al r

easo

ns, b

ut m

ay n

ot b

e co

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gto

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rsity

DW

T, D

orse

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unm

anag

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ndec

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whi

ch c

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alue

by

biod

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gai

ns, a

nd m

ay th

eref

ore

not b

eA

ON

B,

expl

oitin

g lo

cal d

istin

ctiv

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s an

dad

dres

sing

the

full

rang

e of

sus

tain

abili

tysu

stai

nabl

e fa

rmin

g pr

actic

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issu

es.

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nmen

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emes

Offe

rs in

cent

ives

to b

ring

land

bac

k in

to(S

ee a

ctio

n 2

& 3

)m

anag

emen

t

Adv

isor

y se

rvic

es(S

ee e

valu

atio

n un

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rais

ing

awar

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s)(S

ee a

ll ac

tions

und

er r

aisi

ng a

war

enes

s)

Eng

lish

Nat

ure

Gra

zing

Ani

mal

sD

orse

t GA

P o

pera

ting

on S

SS

Is o

nly

at

8.F

orm

alis

e G

razi

ng A

nim

als

Pro

ject

. Ext

end

from

NF

U, E

N, D

WT,

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ject

(G

AP

)pr

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urre

ntly

no

paym

ents

for

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wor

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l out

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oss

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set.

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in C

ount

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de S

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ards

hip

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mes

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ay b

e de

alt w

ith th

roug

h ag

ri-en

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view

.

9.Id

entif

y w

here

and

why

ther

e ar

e ar

eas

ofN

FU

, DW

T, F

WA

G,

unm

anag

ed la

nd in

Dor

set

DE

RC

, EN

Diff

icul

ty in

obt

aini

ngR

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rch

carr

ied

out t

hrou

gh E

SA

Bet

ter

syst

ems

and

gran

t-ai

ding

est

ablis

hed

10.C

ontin

ue to

res

earc

h lo

cal p

rove

nanc

e D

EF

RA

, EN

,lo

cal p

rove

nanc

e se

eds

offic

ers.

for

sour

cing

see

d lo

cally

und

er E

SA

.se

ed-s

ourc

ing,

par

ticul

arly

as

part

of l

ands

cape

-sca

le

DW

T, A

ON

Bfo

r re

-cre

atio

n of

gras

slan

ds

Effe

ct o

f ant

ibio

tics

and

Org

anic

farm

ing

ES

A/C

S p

resc

riptio

ns d

o no

t res

tric

t use

of

11.R

aise

aw

aren

ess

of e

ffect

s of

thes

e pr

oduc

tsD

EF

RA

, EN

DW

T,ce

rtai

n w

orm

ing

agen

ts.

vete

rinar

y pr

oduc

ts. H

owev

er, D

EF

RA

pro

vide

on in

vert

ebra

tes

and

prom

ote

alte

rnat

ive

met

hods

/F

WA

GN

atio

nal T

rust

res

tric

t Ive

rmec

tin o

n th

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advi

ce o

n re

duci

ng th

eir

use.

timin

gs o

f tre

atm

ent.

land

in D

orse

t.S

ome

calc

areo

us g

rass

land

site

s ar

ere

gist

ered

org

anic

.

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Lack

of s

yste

mat

icN

BN

SW

Pilo

t- In

vent

ory

of p

riorit

yW

ill p

rovi

de b

asel

ine

data

. The

re is

a n

eed

biol

ogic

al m

onito

ring

habi

tats

to e

nsur

e co

ntin

ued

mon

itorin

g.of

the

effe

ctiv

enes

s of

cons

erva

tion

man

agem

ent

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent S

chem

e m

onito

ring

Nat

iona

l agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

e m

onito

ring

12.R

evie

w c

urre

nt m

onito

ring

to a

sses

s ef

fect

iven

ess

ofD

EF

RA

, EN

, RS

PB

,on

agr

icul

tura

l hab

itats

stra

tegy

rec

ently

dev

elop

ed. T

o be

im

plem

ente

dm

onito

ring

biol

ogic

al o

utco

mes

of a

gri-e

nviro

nmen

tD

WT,

DE

RC

, NT,

loca

lly.

sche

mes

in D

orse

t. Im

plem

ent r

ecom

men

datio

ns.

Dor

set B

utte

rfly

C

onse

rvat

ion

But

terf

ly C

onse

rvat

ion/

DE

FR

A p

roje

ct to

ass

ess

sche

mes

via

but

terf

ly tr

anse

cts.

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

30

AG

RICU

LTU

RE

31

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

co

nt

. . .

Lack

of s

yste

mat

ic(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)N

BN

Sou

th W

est P

ilot c

ontr

act w

ith R

ural

(see

pre

viou

s pa

ge)

biol

ogic

al m

onito

ring

Dev

elop

men

t Ser

vice

(D

EF

RA

) to

ass

ess

the

of th

e ef

fect

iven

ess

ofva

lue

of L

ocal

Rec

ord

Cen

tres

to a

gri-e

nviro

nmen

tco

nser

vatio

n m

anag

emen

tsc

hem

e m

onito

ring.

on a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

tsS

SS

I & S

NC

I mon

itorin

gS

SS

I Site

Con

ditio

n M

onito

ring

esta

blis

hed.

13.U

tilis

e E

N S

ite C

ondi

tion

Mon

itorin

g m

etho

dolo

gy fo

rD

WT,

DE

RC

No

syst

emat

ic m

etho

d fo

r m

onito

ring

cond

ition

SN

CI m

onito

ring

of g

rass

land

sof

SN

CIs

Nat

iona

l Tru

st la

nd m

onito

ring

Ann

ual m

onito

ring

of s

elec

ted

field

s un

der

stew

ards

hip.

Effo

rts

conc

entr

ated

in P

urbe

ck.

Res

ourc

es s

tret

ched

.

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

rais

ing

The

ava

ilabi

lity

ofA

dvis

ory

serv

ices

pro

vide

d by

e.g

.S

ome

co-o

rdin

atio

n of

adv

ice

to la

ndow

ners

14. B

uild

ing

on th

e m

odel

of t

he P

urbe

ck B

iodi

vers

ityD

orse

t AO

NB

, FW

AG

,la

nd m

anag

emen

t adv

ice

SN

CI P

roje

ct, P

urbe

ck B

AP

Pro

ject

,cu

rren

tly ta

kes

plac

e. H

owev

er, a

mor

e fo

rmal

Pro

ject

, see

k fu

ndin

g fo

r la

ndow

ner

liais

on w

ork

toLA

’s, D

WT,

RS

PB

,R

SP

B F

arm

land

Bird

s P

roje

ct, A

gri-

arra

ngem

ent w

ould

be

bene

ficia

l to

mai

ntai

nco

ver

othe

r ap

prop

riate

are

as o

f Dor

set.

NF

Uen

viro

nmen

t Sch

eme

advi

sors

,a

stra

tegi

c ov

ervi

ew o

f opp

ortu

nitie

s an

dN

T A

dvis

or, F

WA

G, p

rivat

e se

ctor

.cr

oss-

over

s.15

.Dev

elop

a c

ount

y-w

ide

Adv

isor

For

um to

co-

ordi

nate

FW

AG

to c

onve

nean

d ta

rget

app

roac

hes

and

resp

onse

s to

land

owne

rsan

d ch

air,

NF

U,

in a

str

ateg

ic w

ay.

Dor

set A

ON

B,

DE

FR

A, D

WT,

RS

PB

Mor

e jo

ined

up

wor

king

wou

ld e

nabl

e ad

viso

rs16

.Thr

ough

the

For

um, d

evel

op a

n ad

viso

r ne

twor

k, to

Dor

set A

ON

B,

to u

tilis

e th

e kn

owle

dge

and

expe

rienc

es o

fpr

omot

e co

nsis

tenc

y of

adv

ice

whi

le o

fferin

g a

sing

leF

WA

G, R

SP

B,

othe

rs, a

nd in

crea

se li

nks

to o

ther

sus

tain

able

poin

t of c

onta

ct fo

r a

land

owne

r.D

WT,

Pur

beck

initi

ativ

es e

.g. f

arm

bus

ines

s ad

vice

BA

P, N

T

The

re m

ay b

e a

lack

of a

war

enes

s am

ong

17.T

hrou

gh th

e F

orum

, inc

reas

e th

e pr

ofile

and

As

abov

ela

ndow

ners

of t

he a

dvis

ory

serv

ices

and

repu

tatio

n of

the

advi

sory

ser

vice

, thr

ough

sche

mes

ava

ilabl

e to

them

mar

ketin

g in

itiat

ives

etc

.

Pot

entia

l ext

ra r

esou

rces

ava

ilabl

e fo

r18

.Rev

iew

res

ourc

es fo

r ad

viso

ry s

ervi

ces.

DE

FR

A,

envi

ronm

enta

l lan

d m

anag

emen

t sch

emes

will

& a

s ab

ove

lead

to a

sho

rtag

e of

tra

ined

adv

isor

s.

Pre

pare

d in

con

sulta

tion

with

:K

ey to

abb

revi

atio

ns:

But

terf

ly C

onse

rvat

ion

Dor

set B

ranc

h, D

EF

RA

D

WT

– D

orse

t Wild

life

Trus

tD

EF

RA

– D

epar

tmen

t of t

he E

nviro

nmen

t, F

ood

and

Rur

al A

ffairs

Dor

set A

ON

B, D

orse

t Wild

life

Trus

tN

FU

– N

atio

nal F

arm

ers

Uni

onN

T –

Nat

iona

l Tru

stC

ount

rysi

de a

nd L

ando

wne

rs B

usin

ess

Ass

ocia

tion

EN

– E

nglis

h N

atur

eR

SP

B –

Roy

al S

ocie

ty fo

r th

e P

rote

ctio

n of

Bird

Eng

lish

Nat

ure,

FW

AG

, MO

D (

Lulw

orth

Cam

p)F

WA

G –

Far

min

g an

d W

ildlif

e A

dvis

ory

Gro

upN

atio

nal F

arm

ers

Uni

onLA

’s –

Loc

al A

utho

ritie

s

AG

RICU

LTU

RE

32

Low

land

mea

dow

gra

ssla

nd b

y D

avid

She

pher

dLo

wla

nd m

eado

w g

rass

land

by

Dav

id S

heph

erd

33

2.3.1 LOWLAND MEADOWS National Lead Partner – Countryside Council for Wales

Habitat description

Neutral grasslands are characterised by grassland occurring on a range of soils usually with a pH ofbetween 4.5 and 6.5. It includes enclosed dry hay meadows and pastures. These are confined to twomain areas in Dorset, the Wessex Vales and clays around the periphery of the Dorset Heaths. Acrossthe UK, 97% of this habitat has been lost between 1930 and 1984, making it one of the mostendangered in Britain today.

In Dorset, many of these areas comprise a mosaic of dry grassland and rush-pasture, and are oftensmall and isolated. The few larger examples such as Kingcombe Meadows are of national importance.Most are managed as grazed pasture, with a few still managed as traditional hay meadows.

Specific Impacts

● Indirect effects e.g. lowering of water table

● Shift from hay-making to silage production

● Supplementary stock feeding, which can lead to nutrient enrichment and localised poaching by stock.

● Inappropriate management

● Drainage

● Lack of information on the Dorset resource

● Increasing community involvement in grassland conservation


Key at Appendix C





Local decline Rapidly declining


Local threat Direct

Local rarity Scarce


Survey priority Medium(to update existing audit)













Objectives

1 Maintain the extent and quality of existing unimproved lowland meadows throughappropriate management.

2 Restore semi-improved and degraded areas of neutral grassland, particularly where theyabut, link or buffer existing areas of conservation value.

3 Re-create areas of neutral grassland, targeting areas with concentrations of this habitat.

4 Promote awareness amongst landowners and managers of the importance of this habitatto wildlife and the action needed to maintain and restore it.

5 Determine the current extent of all semi-improved and degraded neutral grassland inDorset in order to implement a targeted programme of restoration.

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

For

gen

eric

issu

es a

ffect

ing

this

and

oth

er a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e P

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

for A

gric

ultu

re

Po

licy

and

leg

isla

tio

n

Indi

rect

effe

cts

eg. l

ower

ing

CA

MS

pro

cess

Not

eno

ugh

mon

itorin

g in

form

atio

n to

ass

ess

1.P

riorit

ise

site

s fo

r m

onito

ring

DE

RC

, EA

of w

ater

tabl

eE

nviro

nmen

t Age

ncy

scre

en

effe

cts

on m

ost g

rass

land

site

s.ab

stra

ctio

n lic

ence

s.

Man

agem

ent

Shi

ft fr

om h

ay m

akin

g to

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

es.

Man

y si

tes

have

bee

n en

tere

d in

to2.

Enh

ance

link

bet

wee

n w

ildflo

wer

mea

dow

s an

dLA

’ssi

lage

pro

duct

ion

agri-

envi

ronm

ent s

chem

es. P

aym

ent l

evel

s of

land

scap

e to

uris

m. I

nves

tigat

e po

tent

ial f

or

agri-

env

sche

mes

not

hig

h en

ough

to d

eter

mar

ketin

g hi

gh q

ualit

y m

eado

w h

ay.

conv

ersi

on fo

r pu

rely

eco

nom

ic r

easo

ns;

how

ever

they

do

prov

ide

an in

cent

ive

to m

aint

ain

3.In

vest

igat

e th

e us

e of

uni

mpr

oved

gra

ssla

nd a

s a

Flo

ra L

ocal

eha

y pr

oduc

tion.

seed

sou

rce.

Nee

d to

incr

ease

eco

nom

ic v

alue

of h

ay m

eado

ws.

Sup

plem

enta

ry s

tock

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

esC

an b

e a

lack

of s

uffic

ient

gra

zing

land

with

in o

ne4.

Thr

ough

GA

P p

roje

ct, l

ink

stoc

k m

anag

ers

with

EN

, DW

T,fe

edin

gA

dvis

ory

visi

ts.

land

hold

ing

to e

nabl

e gr

assl

ands

to b

e re

sted

.si

tes

whi

ch a

re la

ckin

g gr

azin

g.F

WA

G,

Adv

isor

y w

ork

prov

ides

site

-by-

site

adv

ice

onP

urbe

ck B

AP

best

loca

tion

for

supp

lem

enta

ry fe

edin

g.

Inap

prop

riate

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

es &

M

any

site

s ha

ve b

een

ente

red

into

agr

i-5.

Inve

stig

ate

shar

ing

of m

achi

nery

/res

ourc

es fo

r ha

yA

s ab

ove

man

agem

ent

advi

sory

vis

its.

envi

ronm

ent s

chem

es. L

ack

of m

anag

emen

tcu

tting

whe

re o

wne

rs la

ck e

quip

men

t.pa

rtic

ular

ly a

ffect

s sm

all o

r is

olat

ed s

ites

orw

here

ow

ners

are

una

ble

to c

ut o

r gr

aze.

Som

e gr

assl

ands

inte

nsiv

ely

hors

e-gr

azed

–6.

Rai

se a

war

enes

s of

bes

t pra

ctic

e in

hor

se-g

razi

ngD

WT,

FW

AG

diffi

cult

to a

lter

man

agem

ent w

hen

not p

art o

fne

utra

l gra

ssla

nds

and

faci

litat

e lo

wer

-inte

nsity

larg

er la

ndho

ldin

g.gr

azin

g w

here

pos

sibl

e.

Wild

life

road

ver

ges

sche

me.

Cut

ting

timin

g fo

r w

ildlif

e ve

rges

not

flex

ible

7.M

ore

tailo

red

man

agem

ent f

or th

e hi

ghes

tD

CC

, DW

Ten

ough

to p

rovi

de b

est m

anag

emen

t.qu

ality

ver

ges.

Var

iabl

e st

anda

rd o

f wor

k by

ver

ge c

uttin

g8.

Rev

iew

/with

draw

con

trac

ts.

DC

Cco

ntra

ctor

s.

Dra

inag

eA

gri-e

nviro

nmen

t sch

emes

& a

dvis

ory

visi

ts.

Wat

er le

vel m

anag

emen

t pla

ns.

Few

neu

tral

gra

ssla

nd s

ites

cove

red

by W

LMP.

9.Ta

rget

adv

isor

y vi

sits

to p

riorit

y si

tes.

DW

T, F

WA

G,

Pur

beck

BA

P

LOW

LAN

D M

EAD

OW

S

34

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Lack

of i

nfor

mat

ion

onD

ER

C n

eutr

al g

rass

land

inve

ntor

y.O

nly

cove

rs S

SS

Is a

nd S

NC

Is;

10.C

ontin

ue to

gat

her

info

rmat

ion

thro

ugh

SN

CI p

roce

ssD

ER

C, D

WT,

the

Dor

set r

esou

rce.

man

y sm

all/

sem

i-im

prov

ed g

rass

land

san

d co

mm

unity

sur

veys

.LA

’sno

t inc

lude

d.

SN

CI m

onito

ring

prog

ram

me.

Man

y si

tes

have

not

bee

n m

onito

red

in la

st11

.Ong

oing

fund

ing

need

ed to

ens

ure

all s

ites

mon

itore

dD

WT,

fund

ing

5 or

10

year

s.ev

ery

5 ye

ars.

part

ners

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

rais

ing

Incr

easi

ng c

omm

unity

Livi

ng C

hurc

hyar

ds p

roje

ct.

Pro

gram

me

need

ed to

cov

er o

ther

com

mun

ity-

12.In

corp

orat

e ne

utra

l gra

ssla

nds

into

com

mun

ity-b

ased

Dor

set

invo

lvem

ent i

n gr

assl

and

man

aged

are

as.

BA

P im

plem

enta

tion.

Bio

dive

rsity

cons

erva

tion

Par

tner

s

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:A

ON

B –

Are

a of

Out

stan

ding

Nat

ural

Bea

uty

DC

C –

Dor

set C

ount

y C

ounc

ilD

ER

C –

Dor

set E

nviro

nmen

tal R

ecor

d C

entr

eD

WT

– D

orse

t Wild

life

Trus

tE

A –

Env

ironm

ent A

genc

yE

N –

Eng

lish

Nat

ure

FW

AG

–F

arm

ing

and

Wild

life

Adv

isor

y G

roup

LA’s

Loc

al A

utho

ritie

s

35

LOW

LAN

D M

EAD

OW

S

36

2.3.2 PURPLE MOOR GRASS AND RUSH PASTURENational Lead Partner: Countryside Council for Wales

Habitat description

Most purple moor grass and rush pasture sites exist on poorly drained, nutrient-poor soils. Theyconsist of mosaics of different communities that can include species-rich fen-meadows, wet heaths andmire, as well as drier grassland and scrub.

Purple moor grass is a species-rich vegetation developed on nutrient-poor but base-rich soils. InDorset the stands are small and fragmented, and largely confined to the Wessex Vales and DorsetHeaths Natural Areas. The Marsh Fritillary is found in this habitat at a number of sites.

Rush pasture is the most common vegetation type in poorly drained pastures. Soft and Sharp-floweredrush dominate, and when grazed a wide variety of herb species are present. This habitat is much morewidespread than purple moor grass.

Specific Impacts

● Agricultural improvement, including drainage, cultivation and use of fertilisers

● Lack of grazing management, leading to rankness and scrub encroachment

● Fragmentation, leading to loss of viability of key species

● Past forestry planting

● Lack of knowledge of the Dorset resource

Natural Area Targets: See Appendix D

Key at Appendix C





Local decline Decline


Local threat Indirect

Local rarity Rare















Objectives

1 Maintain the extent and quality of existing habitat.

2 Secure sympathetic management of remaining sites, which perpetuate the species they support.

3 Increase the area of purple moor grass and rush pasture habitat by appropriate means, inorder to buffer, link and expand existing sites.

4 Continue to conduct research and monitoring which will improve our knowledge andunderstanding of associated key species.

5 Provide opportunities for education, access and awareness raising initiatives.

Mar

sh F

ritill

ery

by D

orse

t W

ildlif

e Tr

ust

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

For

gen

eric

issu

es a

ffect

ing

this

and

oth

er a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e P

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

for A

gric

ultu

re

Po

licy

and

leg

isla

tio

n

Agr

icul

tura

l im

prov

emen

tS

SS

I/SA

C d

esig

natio

nM

ost s

ites

now

cov

ered

by

stat

utor

y de

sign

atio

ns;

1. P

rom

ote

entr

y of

SN

CI s

ites

into

agr

i-env

ironm

ent

DW

T, E

N,

loss

thro

ugh

agric

ultu

ral i

mpr

ovem

ent n

owsc

hem

es o

r ot

her

man

agem

ent a

gree

men

ts.

DE

FR

Asl

owed

.

SN

CI s

ites

rem

ain

vuln

erab

le to

agr

icul

tura

lim

prov

emen

t.

Man

agem

ent

Lack

of g

razi

ngA

gri-e

nviro

nmen

t sch

emes

.D

iffic

ult t

o m

aint

ain

appr

opria

te g

razi

ng r

egim

es,

2. E

ncou

rage

est

ablis

hmen

t of e

xten

sive

gra

zing

EN

, DW

T,m

anag

emen

tes

peci

ally

whe

re in

itial

con

trol

of s

crub

and

units

whe

re p

ossi

ble.

DE

FR

AE

nglis

h N

atur

e gr

ant a

id.

rank

gro

wth

nee

ded.

3. M

onito

r sw

ard

cond

ition

and

key

spe

cies

and

Nat

ure

rese

rve

man

agem

ent.

adju

st g

razi

ng a

s ne

eded

.

For

estr

y pl

antin

gR

esto

ratio

n th

roug

h co

nife

r re

mov

al a

tE

arly

sta

ges

of r

esto

ratio

n pr

ogra

mm

e4.

Mon

itor

rest

orat

ion

of p

urpl

e m

oor

gras

s &

rus

hD

WT,

EN

Pow

erst

ock

Com

mon

(D

WT

).(n

ot ju

st a

imed

at t

his

habi

tat)

. Eva

luat

ion

past

ure

at P

ower

stoc

k C

omm

on a

nd u

se a

s a

of b

iodi

vers

ity o

utco

mes

nee

ded.

case

stu

dy.

Fra

gmen

tatio

nM

anag

emen

t/res

tora

tion

of e

xist

ing

site

s.P

opul

atio

ns o

f Mar

sh F

ritill

ary

with

in th

is h

abita

t5.

Inve

stig

ate

poss

ibili

ties

for

linki

ng, b

uffe

ring

and

EN

, DW

T,st

ill in

dec

line.

exte

ndin

g si

tes,

incl

udin

g as

sess

men

t of p

oten

tial

But

terf

lybe

nefit

s to

key

spe

cies

in th

e lo

ng-t

erm

.C

onse

rvat

ion

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Kno

wle

dge

ofD

ER

C N

eutr

al g

rass

land

inve

ntor

y.A

war

enes

s of

ext

ent a

nd d

istr

ibut

ion

of h

abita

t6.

Ens

ure

NB

N P

ilot p

roje

ct s

epar

ates

out

this

hab

itat

DE

RC

Dor

set r

esou

rce

NB

N S

W P

ilot

in D

orse

t not

wel

l kno

wn.

As

one

of th

e ra

rer

from

oth

er fe

ns a

nd r

ush

past

ures

.ha

bita

ts it

can

get

com

bine

d w

ith o

ther

sin

sta

tistic

s.

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

DE

RC

– D

orse

t Env

ironm

enta

l Rec

ord

Cen

tre

DE

FR

A –

Dep

artm

ent o

f the

Env

ironm

ent,

Foo

d an

d R

ural

Affa

irsD

WT

– D

orse

t Wild

life

Trus

tE

N –

Eng

lish

Nat

ure

37

PURP

LE M

OO

R G

RASS

AN

D R

USH

PA

STU

RE

38

2.3.3 LOWLAND CALCAREOUS GRASSLANDNational Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

Calcareous grassland occurs on chalk or limestone substrates; Dorset supports important areas of both types.

Dorset’s chalk grassland supports an outstanding range of flora and fauna across an area of just under3000ha. This habitat is very fragmented and mainly confined to the steeper slopes of the South WessexDowns and Purbeck Ridge. The majority of the chalk grassland has been recognised to be either ofnational or of countywide interest.

Limestone grassland is much smaller in area, but equally fragmented; most of it is on the Isle ofPortland or the Purbeck coast, with a few sites in the west and north. The Dorset Limestone GrasslandInventory identified 480 ha in the county. The vast majority of this has been recognised as being ofnational importance and is designated SSSI. The remaining 29.3% is within SNCIs. The limestone turfsupports many key plant species. It also supports the range of butterflies that occur on the chalk.

Specific Impacts

● Loss of grazing or under-grazing leading to scrub invasion.

● Intensification, by application of fertilisers and herbicides or over-grazing.

● Fragmentation leading to reduced species and/or management viability.

● Game cover and management – damage to sward and invertebrate populations.

● Knowledge of Dorset resource.


Key at Appendix C






Proportion of UK habitat in Dorset Significant

Local threat Direct

Local rarity Scarce


Survey priority Low













Objectives


2 Secure sympathetic management of remaining sites, which perpetuate the species they support.

3 Increase the area of purple moor grass and rush pasture habitat by appropriate means, inorder to buffer, link and expand existing sites.



Ado

nis

Blu

e by

Dor

set

Wild

life

Trus

t

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

For

gen

eric

issu

es a

ffect

ing

this

and

oth

er a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e P

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

for A

gric

ultu

re

Man

agem

ent

Loss

of g

razi

ng/

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

es [S

outh

Sig

nific

ant a

rea

ente

red

into

sch

emes

ove

r la

st1.

Con

tinue

to fa

cilit

ate

CS

, ES

A a

nd E

N g

rant

-aid

ing

DE

FR

A, E

N,

unde

r-gr

azin

gW

esse

x D

owns

ES

A, C

ount

rysi

de10

yea

rs.

for

appr

opria

te s

ites.

DW

T, F

WA

G,

Ste

war

dshi

p]P

urbe

ck B

AP

EN

hav

e gr

ant-

aide

d la

rge-

scal

e sc

rub

Scr

ub m

anag

emen

t on

man

y pr

evio

usly

qua

rrie

d2.

Inve

stig

ate

graz

ing

initi

ativ

es fo

r fo

rmer

qua

rry

EN

, DW

T,m

anag

emen

t on

dow

nlan

d si

tes.

limes

tone

gra

ssla

nds

has

not b

een

tack

led

site

s on

Por

tland

and

els

ewhe

re.

LA’s

, min

eral

s in

dust

ry

Pur

beck

bio

dive

rsity

pro

ject

has

faci

litat

edsc

rub

clea

ranc

e an

d ag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t sc

hem

e en

try

on P

urbe

ck c

halk

&

limes

tone

site

s.

Inte

nsifi

catio

nA

gri-e

nviro

nmen

t sch

emes

,R

ate

of in

tens

ifica

tion

has

slow

ed a

s m

ainl

yS

ee A

ctio

n no

.1E

nglis

h N

atur

e gr

ant-

aidi

ng.

stee

p sl

opes

rem

ain,

fund

ing

avai

labl

e fo

r

EIA

Reg

ulat

ions

[see

Agr

icul

ture

m

anag

emen

t and

the

best

site

s pr

otec

ted

topi

c pl

an]

as S

SS

I. S

ome

SN

CIs

and

oth

er s

ites

rem

ain

vuln

erab

le.

Man

y si

tes

vuln

erab

le to

eut

roph

icat

ion

from

3. E

ncou

rage

use

of b

uffe

r zo

nes

adja

cent

to, a

ndD

EF

RA

, EN

,ru

n-of

f or

spra

y dr

ift.

espe

cial

ly u

pslo

pe o

f, S

NC

I/SS

SI c

alca

reou

sD

WT,

FW

AG

gras

slan

d si

tes.

Pur

beck

BA

P

Fra

gmen

tatio

nA

gri-e

nviro

nmen

t sch

emes

Sig

nific

ant a

reas

ent

ered

into

dow

nlan

d tu

rf4.

Inve

stig

ate

poss

ibili

ties

for

land

scap

e-sc

ale

rest

orat

ion

EN

, DW

T,

crea

tion

thro

ugh

ES

A. A

t firs

t site

s di

d no

t alw

ays

of c

alca

reou

s gr

assl

and

in a

reas

offe

ring

grea

test

RS

PB

, AO

NB

,bu

ffer/

link

exis

ting

dow

nlan

d bu

t now

targ

eted

pote

ntia

l bio

dive

rsity

gai

ns.

DE

FR

Ato

do

this

.P

urbe

ck B

AP

Man

y ar

eas

rem

ain

isol

ated

by

larg

e ar

eas

ofar

able

/impr

oved

gra

ssla

nd.

Gam

e co

ver

and

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

esS

ome

dow

nlan

d ar

eas

have

bee

n lo

st to

pla

ntin

g5.

Ens

ure

gran

t aid

is n

ot g

iven

to tr

ee p

lant

ing

whi

chF

Cm

anag

emen

t of

gam

e co

ver

and

tree

s.w

ould

dam

age

calc

areo

us g

rass

land

s.

39

LOW

LAN

D C

ALC

ARE

OU

S G

RASS

LAN

D

40

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Kno

wle

dge

ofD

ER

C C

halk

and

Lim

esto

ne g

rass

land

Inve

ntor

ies

cove

r S

SS

Is a

nd S

NC

Is; f

urth

er6.

Con

tinue

to g

athe

r in

form

atio

n th

roug

h S

NC

I pro

cess

DE

RC

, DW

T,D

orse

t res

ourc

ein

vent

orie

ssi

tes

may

be

foun

d. S

ome

SN

CIs

hav

e no

tan

d co

mm

unity

sur

veys

. Ong

oing

fund

ing

need

ed to

LA

sbe

en m

onito

red

in la

st 5

-10

year

s.en

sure

all

site

s m

onito

red

ever

y 5

year

s.

Nat

iona

l Tru

st P

urbe

ck E

stat

eA

nnua

l mon

itorin

g on

som

e si

tes.

mon

itorin

gN

eeds

exp

andi

ng.

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

AO

NB

– A

rea

of O

utst

andi

ng N

atur

al B

eaut

yD

EF

RA

– D

epar

tmen

t of t

he E

nviro

nmen

t, F

ood

and

Rur

al A

ffairs

DW

T –

Dor

set W

ildlif

e Tr

ust

EN

–E

nglis

h N

atur

eF

WA

G –

Far

min

g an

d W

ildlif

e A

dvis

ory

Gro

upF

C –

For

estr

y C

omm

issi

onLA

’s –

Loc

al A

utho

ritie

sN

T –

Nat

iona

l Tru

stR

SP

B –

Roy

al S

ocie

ty fo

r th

e P

rote

ctio

n of

Bird

s

LOW

LAN

D C

ALC

ARE

OU

S G

RASS

LAN

D

Key at Appendix C







Local threat Direct

Local rarity Rare


Survey priority Low













41

2.3.4 LOWLAND DRY ACID GRASSLANDNational Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

Lowland acid grassland typically occurs on nutrient-poor, generally free-draining soils with pH rangingfrom 4 to 5.5 overlying sands and gravels. In Dorset this habitat is largely confined to two distinctareas: the Poole Basin within the Dorset Heaths Natural Area; and west Dorset, where they havedeveloped on acid hilltops. Dorset supports approximately 500 ha of dry acid grassland (DERC, 2002).The parched sandy grasslands of the Poole Basin are of national importance for their acid grasslandplants, while some of those in west Dorset are rich in Wax-cap fungi.

Acid grassland is normally managed through grazing by livestock or rabbits; on some sites it ismaintained by mowing (often along with rabbit grazing). However, some of the richest sites havedeveloped naturally on former arable land and disturbance is an additional important factor inmaintaining the rich flora.

Management of many acid grasslands in Dorset is intrinsically linked to heathland management.

Specific Impacts

● Conversion to improved grasslands or arable through ploughing, application of lime, fertilisers and herbicides

● Undergrazing or neglect leading to invasion by scrub and bracken

● Lack of knowledge of the Dorset resource

● Restoration/management under-prioritised in heathland restoration schemes

● Lower awareness of acid grassland than other habitats


Objectives

1 Maintain the extent and quality of all unimproved and semi-improved dry acid grasslandthrough appropriate management.

2 Restore degraded acid grassland sites.

3 Re-create new areas of acid grassland targeting areas with concentrations of the habitat.



Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

For

gen

eric

issu

es a

ffect

ing

this

and

oth

er a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e P

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

for A

gric

ultu

re

Man

agem

ent

Con

vers

ion

to im

prov

edLa

ndow

ner

liais

on v

ia S

NC

I Pro

ject

,C

onse

rvat

ion

man

agem

ent o

f som

e ke

y si

tes

1. M

aint

ain

regu

lar

liais

on p

rogr

amm

e w

ith o

wne

rs o

f all

EN

,DW

T,gr

assl

ands

or

arab

leP

urbe

ck B

AP

and

oth

ers.

has

been

sec

ured

thro

ugh

gran

t aid

ing.

acid

gra

ssla

nd S

SS

Is/S

NC

Is.

Pur

beck

BA

P,M

any

are

in c

onse

rvat

ion

owne

rshi

p.F

WA

G,

Res

tora

ble

sem

i-im

prov

ed a

cid

gras

slan

ds a

t2.

Iden

tify

key

sem

i-im

prov

ed s

ites

for

rest

orat

ion

asE

N, F

C,

risk

of im

prov

emen

t or

plou

ghin

g.pa

rt o

f lar

ge-s

cale

hea

thla

nd r

esto

ratio

n pl

ans.

DW

T

Sig

nific

ant n

umbe

r of

SN

CI s

ites

with

in b

usin

ess/

3. M

ake

spec

ific

advi

ce o

n m

own

acid

gra

ssla

nds

DW

T, E

NLA

/ MoD

ow

ners

hip

and

man

aged

by

mow

ing.

in D

orse

t ava

ilabl

e.A

war

enes

s of

hab

itat i

mpo

rtan

ce a

ndm

anag

emen

t nee

ds s

houl

d be

con

tinua

lly r

aise

d4.

Brin

g bu

sine

ss o

wne

rs w

ithin

the

wid

er h

eath

land

Hea

thla

ndas

site

man

ager

s/pr

iorit

ies

can

chan

ge r

apid

ly.

man

agem

ent p

artn

ersh

ip.

For

um

5. E

xplo

re o

ppor

tuni

ties

to e

xten

d he

athl

and

graz

ing

EN

, RS

PB

sche

mes

to c

urre

ntly

mow

n ac

id g

rass

land

site

s.D

WT,

Pur

beck

BA

P

Und

ergr

azin

g or

neg

lect

Intr

oduc

tion

of g

razi

ng th

roug

h ag

ri-S

igni

fican

t pro

gres

s m

ade.

Key

site

s st

ill la

ck6.

New

ext

ensi

ve h

eath

land

gra

zing

sch

emes

sho

uld

EN

, RS

PB

,le

adin

g to

inva

sion

by

envi

ronm

ent s

chem

es, T

omor

row

’sso

me

form

erly

pre

sent

aci

d gr

assl

and

spec

ies,

ensu

re p

erip

hera

l (as

wel

l as

inte

gral

) ac

id g

rass

land

DW

T, L

as, N

Tsc

rub

and

brac

ken

Hea

thla

nd H

erita

ge in

itiat

ive

and

as r

epor

ted

in ‘�

��

��

��

�

��

�si

tes

are

incl

uded

.E

N g

rant

s.

��

��

��

�’.

Som

e ac

id g

rass

land

site

s m

ay n

eed

mor

e7.

Inve

stig

ate

stoc

k/ha

bita

t man

agem

ent t

echn

ique

sE

N, R

SP

B, N

T,in

tens

ive

man

agem

ent t

o cr

eate

and

mai

ntai

nfo

r sh

ort a

cid

turf

whi

ch d

o no

t con

flict

with

oth

erD

WT,

HC

T, L

As

shor

t sw

ards

with

bar

e gr

ound

.he

athl

and

prio

ritie

s.

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Kno

wle

dge

of e

xten

tP

rovi

sion

al a

cid

gras

slan

d in

vent

ory

Onl

y in

clud

es S

SS

Is &

SN

CIs

– m

ain

area

s8.

Con

tinue

to s

urve

y ad

ditio

nal a

reas

, foc

ussi

ng o

nD

ER

C, S

NC

Iof

Dor

set r

esou

rce

prod

uced

by

DE

RC

cove

red

but s

ome

site

s no

t inc

lude

d in

key

spec

ies.

Con

side

r fo

r S

NC

I sta

tus

whe

reP

anel

,S

NC

I ser

ies

as s

urve

y ha

s no

t bee

n po

ssib

leap

prop

riate

.in

divi

dual

or s

ites

are

smal

l.re

cord

ers

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

rais

ing

Res

tora

tion/

Impr

oved

liai

son

on C

S a

pplic

atio

ns h

as

Aw

aren

ess

amon

gst c

onse

rvat

ion

and

9. O

ngoi

ng s

erie

s of

aw

aren

ess

even

ts a

nd m

ater

ials

E

N, D

WT,

m

anag

emen

t und

er-

larg

ely

addr

esse

d pa

st is

sue

of h

eath

land

com

mer

cial

land

man

agem

ent a

dvis

ors

shou

ld

need

ed.

FW

AG

, pr

iorit

ised

in h

eath

land

rest

orat

ion

prop

osal

s on

aci

d gr

assl

ands

.be

mai

ntai

ned.

Pur

beck

BA

P,re

stor

atio

n sc

hem

es

EN

, FC

,Te

nden

cy to

rel

y on

aci

d gr

assl

and

area

s be

ing

10. I

nclu

de d

esig

ned

acid

gra

ssla

nd a

reas

in la

rge-

scal

eR

SP

B,

crea

ted

thro

ugh

heat

hlan

d re

stor

atio

n –

can

heat

hlan

d re

stor

atio

n an

d m

anag

emen

t sch

emes

.LA

’s, N

T(c

ontin

ued

over

leaf

)m

ean

area

s ar

e sm

all,

frag

men

ted

or n

otm

anag

ed s

peci

fical

ly a

s ac

id g

rass

land

.

42

LOW

LAN

D D

RY A

CID

GRA

SSLA

ND

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

rais

ing

co

nt

. . .

Low

er a

war

enes

s of

aci

d‘�

��

�’��

��

��

��

�

��

��

��

’A

war

enes

s ra

ised

with

in n

atur

e co

nser

vatio

n11

. Inc

reas

e aw

aren

ess

of d

evel

oper

s an

d pl

anni

ngE

N, D

WT,

gras

slan

d th

an o

ther

in

clud

es a

cid

gras

slan

d sp

ecie

s.se

ctor

but

less

so

amon

gst o

ther

land

auth

oriti

es o

f aci

d gr

assl

and

as a

prio

rity

habi

tat

FW

AG

, Pur

beck

habi

tats

man

ager

s, p

lann

ers,

dev

elop

ers

and

the

and

of o

ppor

tuni

ties/

tech

niqu

es fo

r m

anag

emen

tB

AP,

LA

’sD

ER

C a

cid

gras

slan

d in

vent

ory.

com

mun

ity.

and

rest

orat

ion.

EN

leaf

let a

vaila

ble

Alth

ough

use

ful t

o in

clud

e ac

id g

rass

land

in12

. Mak

e be

tter

use

of E

N a

cid

gras

slan

d le

afle

t. P

rovi

deE

N, D

WT,

LA

she

athl

and

advi

ce, s

peci

fic a

war

enes

s to

ols

spec

ific

Dor

set-

base

d in

form

atio

n.ar

e ne

eded

to r

aise

pro

file.

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

DW

T –

Dor

set W

ildlif

e Tr

ust

DE

FR

A –

Dep

artm

ent o

f the

Env

ironm

ent,

Foo

d an

d R

ural

Affa

irsE

N –

Eng

lish

Nat

ure

FC

– F

ores

try

Com

mis

sion

FW

AG

– F

arm

ing

and

Wild

life

Adv

isor

y G

roup

HC

T –

Her

peto

logi

cal C

onse

rvat

ion

Trus

tLA

’s –

Loc

al A

utho

ritie

sN

FU

– N

atio

nal F

arm

ers

Uni

onN

T –

Nat

iona

l Tru

stR

SP

B -

Roy

al S

ocie

ty fo

r th

e P

rote

ctio

n of

Bird

s

43

LOW

LAN

D D

RY A

CID

GRA

SSLA

ND

44

2.3.5 ANCIENT AND/OR SPECIES RICH HEDGEROWSNational Lead Partner: DEFRA

Habitat description

Hedgerows are an intimate element of the farmed landscape and are a refuge for a wide range ofplants and animals. They act as wildlife corridors, providing protection and assisting dispersal ofspecies in an otherwise fragmented landscape.

Ancient hedgerows, which tend to be those which support the greatest diversity of plants and animals,may be defined as those which were in existence before the Enclosure Acts passed mainly between1720 and 1840 in Britain. Species-rich hedgerows may be taken as those which contain five or morenative woody species on average in a 30 metre length. Hedges which contain fewer woody species buta rich basal flora of herbaceous plants are also included.

As a region, the south west probably has a greater number of species-rich hedges remaining than anyother region in the UK. In Dorset, the west of the county holds the highest concentration of this habitat.

Specific Impacts

● Removal of hedgerows and hedgerow trees.

● Lack of buffer zones around hedges in an intensively farmed landscape leading to damage causedby ploughing, browsing stock and spray drift.

● Neglect leading to gaps and loss of structure.

● Inappropriate management – too frequent or ill-timed cutting prevents hedges from producing fruits and berries that are a food source for many species. The type of cutting can also damage hedges.

● Knowledge of the Dorset resource.

● Awareness of management issues.


Key at Appendix C






Proportion of UK habitat in Dorset Modest, in west of county

Local threat Direct

Local rarity Scarce















Objectives

1 Maintain the current network of ancient and species rich hedgerows.

2 Achieve favourable management and enhancement of ancient and species rich hedgerows.

3 Increase the length of species-rich hedgerows in Dorset.

4 Maintain the overall numbers of hedgerow trees to eventually obtain a balanced age structure.

Aut

umn

Hed

ge b

y M

ary

Har

old

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

For

gen

eric

issu

es a

ffect

ing

this

and

oth

er a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e P

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

for A

gric

ultu

re

Po

licy

and

leg

isla

tio

n

Rem

oval

of h

edge

row

sH

edge

row

Reg

ulat

ions

199

7R

emov

al o

f hed

gero

ws

has

slow

ed s

ince

199

7.1.

Ens

ure

all h

edge

row

rem

oval

app

licat

ions

are

LA’s

, DE

RC

and

hedg

erow

tree

s.N

ot k

now

n if

all a

pplic

atio

ns fo

r re

mov

al a

reec

olog

ical

ly e

valu

ated

thro

ugh

field

sur

veys

.ec

olog

ical

ly e

valu

ated

; of t

hose

sur

veye

d by

DE

RC

, few

are

con

nect

ed w

ith in

crea

sing

field

siz

e; m

ost r

elat

e to

cre

atin

g ga

ps fo

rac

cess

/ dev

elop

men

t.

Reg

ulat

ions

not

tailo

red

to D

orse

t situ

atio

n –

2. R

aise

aw

aren

ess

of im

port

ance

of h

edge

s no

t cov

ered

LA’s

, DE

FR

A,

anci

ent h

edge

s w

ith fe

w w

oody

spe

cies

do

by R

egul

atio

ns a

nd ta

rget

for

gran

t aid

.D

WT,

FW

AG

not a

lway

s qu

alify

.

Eco

logi

cal a

sses

smen

t not

alw

ays

carr

ied

out

3. E

nsur

e al

l hed

ges

cove

red

by th

e R

egul

atio

ns a

reLA

’sw

ith p

lann

ing

appl

icat

ions

; Reg

ulat

ions

do

ecol

ogic

ally

ass

esse

d th

roug

h th

e pl

anni

ng p

roce

ss.

not c

over

hed

ges

adja

cent

to g

arde

ns.

Util

ise

the

Reg

ulat

ions

to a

sses

s im

pact

s of

losi

ng o

ther

hedg

es to

dev

elop

men

t.

Hed

gero

w p

lant

ing

Sig

nific

ant l

engt

hs o

f new

hed

gero

w p

lant

ed4.

Tar

get g

rant

s fo

r pl

antin

g to

site

s w

hich

link

or

DE

FR

A,,

LA’s

thro

ugh

agri-

envi

ronm

ent s

chem

es a

nd lo

cal

rein

forc

e ex

istin

g he

dges

/ cr

eate

cor

ridor

s be

twee

nau

thor

ity g

rant

s.ot

her

feat

ures

/ hel

p co

ntro

l run

-off,

usi

ngna

tive

spec

ies.

Man

agem

ent

Lack

of b

uffe

r zo

nes

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

es –

Sch

emes

nee

d to

offe

r ot

her

bene

fits;

fund

ing

not

5. In

vest

igat

e op

tions

for

low

er c

ost w

idel

y av

aila

ble

DE

FR

A

cons

erva

tion

head

land

s an

d gr

ass

avai

labl

e fo

r w

ides

prea

d he

dge

and

hedg

erow

gran

t aid

for

buffe

ring.

buffe

r st

rips.

tree

buf

ferin

g.6.

Ass

ess

impa

cts

of r

oad

verg

e cu

tting

reg

ime;

adj

ust i

fD

CC

, DW

TS

ome

advi

ce g

iven

thro

ugh

Env

ironm

ent

Loss

thro

ugh

eutr

ophi

catio

n of

typi

cal a

ncie

ntne

eded

. Rem

oval

of c

uttin

gs o

n re

mai

ning

anc

ient

A

genc

y fa

rm m

anag

emen

t adv

ice

and

woo

dlan

d an

d un

impr

oved

gra

ss b

ank

spec

ies

hedg

eban

k ve

rges

sho

uld

be a

prio

rity.

best

pra

ctic

e m

anua

l.fr

om r

oads

ide

hedg

eban

ks.

Neg

lect

/ lac

k of

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

es g

rant

aid

A s

igni

fican

t num

ber

of h

edge

row

s fa

ll ou

tsid

em

anag

emen

tm

anag

emen

t and

res

tora

tion.

the

curr

ent g

rant

-aid

ing

syst

em. T

he n

ewag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t ‘en

try

leve

l sch

eme’

will

aim

toad

dres

s th

is.

Neg

lect

now

the

maj

or fa

ctor

affe

ctin

g ov

eral

lbi

odiv

ersi

ty o

f Dor

set h

edge

s. M

any

have

not

been

laid

/cop

pice

d fo

r 40

-50

year

s an

d be

com

esh

aded

, ove

rgro

wn

or g

appy

lead

ing

to lo

ss o

fst

ruct

ure

and

grou

nd fl

ora.

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

45

AN

CIEN

T A

ND

/OR

SPEC

IES

RICH

HED

GER

OW

S

46

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t Act

ion

Eva

luat

ion

Rec

om

men

ded

act

ion

par

tner

s

Man

agem

ent

con

t . .

.

Inap

prop

riate

man

agem

ent

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

es a

nd lo

cal

Not

all

hedg

es e

ligib

le fo

r gr

ants

. New

‘ent

ry7.

Mak

e he

dger

ow g

rant

s m

ore

wid

ely

avai

labl

e.D

EF

RA

, LA

’sau

thor

ity g

rant

s ai

d pl

antin

g, tr

aditi

onal

leve

l’ ag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t sch

eme

coul

d he

lp.

and

ongo

ing

man

agem

ent.

8. E

nsur

e ap

prop

riate

mai

nten

ance

req

uire

men

ts a

reD

EF

RA

with

in n

ew ‘e

ntry

leve

l’ sc

hem

e.P

urbe

ck B

AP

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Kno

wle

dge

ofD

ER

C r

esea

rch

on h

edge

row

con

ditio

n.W

ill c

ompa

re s

peci

es c

ompo

sitio

n of

sel

ecte

d9.

Use

res

ults

whe

n co

mpl

eted

to in

form

hed

gero

wD

ER

C, D

EF

RA

,D

orse

t res

ourc

ehe

dges

with

dat

a fr

om 1

930s

. Wid

espr

ead

polic

ies

and

gran

ts in

Dor

set a

nd m

ore

wid

ely.

WD

DC

hedg

erow

dat

a ar

e n

ot h

eld.

10. U

se r

esul

ts o

f DE

RC

pro

ject

to p

rodu

ce

DE

RC

, DW

T,D

orse

t-sp

ecifi

c gu

idan

ce o

n ha

bita

t qua

lity.

FW

AG

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

rais

ing

Aw

aren

ess

ofA

dvis

ory

wor

k. N

ewsl

ette

rs/ l

eafle

ts.

Pro

vide

s on

-site

adv

ice

as r

esou

rces

allo

w11

. Inv

estig

ate

bene

fits

of s

ettin

g up

a

AO

NB

, FW

AG

,m

anag

emen

t iss

ues.

and

gene

ral i

nfor

mat

ion.

Pos

sibl

e ne

ed fo

r m

ore

‘Dor

set H

edge

Gro

up’

DW

T, L

A’s

, NT

co-o

rdin

atio

n of

adv

ice

and

tailo

ring

toD

orse

t situ

atio

n.

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

AO

NB

– A

rea

of O

utst

andi

ng N

atur

al B

eaut

yD

CC

- D

orse

t Cou

nty

Cou

ncil

DW

T –

Dor

set W

ildlif

e Tr

ust

DE

FR

A –

Dep

artm

ent o

f the

Env

ironm

ent,

Foo

d an

d R

ural

Affa

irsE

N –

Eng

lish

Nat

ure

FW

AG

– F

arm

ing

and

Wild

life

Adv

isor

y G

roup

LA’s

– L

ocal

Aut

horit

ies

NT

– N

atio

nal T

rust

WD

DC

– W

est D

orse

t Dis

tric

t Cou

ncil

AN

CIEN

T A

ND

/OR

SPEC

IES

RICH

HED

GER

OW

S

47

2.3.6 ARABLE LANDNational Lead Partner: DEFRA

Habitat description

The UK BAP habitat of cereal field margins has been broadened for the context of Dorset, to includethe whole arable field, where it is utilised by key species.

Arable land covers approximately 37% of the county. Of this, 49% was under cereal crops in 1999(MAFF figures). Biodiversity on arable farmland has come under intense pressure due to increasingintensification and specialisation of arable production.

There is little quantitative data for biodiversity-rich arable land in Dorset. There is however, muchevidence of massive declines in plant species indicative of such biodiversity-rich arable communitiesand of widespread declines in populations of farmland birds. In Dorset the tree sparrow has recentlybeen lost as a breeding species, and species such as grey partridge and corn bunting areincreasingly rare in the county. ‘Hotspots’ for arable biodiversity occur on the chalk in north-east Dorsetand in south Purbeck.

There are links with water quality issues through soil erosion and nitrate leaching where arable land is awaterside habitat.

Specific Impacts

● Use of broad spectrum agrochemicals – fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides and fungicides – has reduced the variety of plants and insects, and hence the fauna that rely on them.

● Shift from spring to autumn sown cereals – the loss of overwintering stubbles and the earlier harvesting of autumn sown cereals has led to loss of habitat and feeding ground for many farmlandbirds and does not correlate with the life cycle of many rare plants reliant on arable habitats.

● Simplification of crop rotation and reduced crop diversity – larger fields, uniform blocks of crops and simpler rotations has reduced the complexity of the habitat mosaic. In some areas arable habitat lost in favour of grassland.

● Lack of information, recognition and protection of key sites.

● Lack of recognition and protection of key sites.

Natural Area Targets: see Appendix D - cereal field margins

Objectives

1 Maintain the extent and quality of sites important for arable biodiversity.

2 Increase the extent of arable land that is managed sympathetically for biodiversity.

3 Achieve favourable management for all known sites of importance for biodiversity.

4 Ensure that the needs of priority species associated with arable habitats are met.

5 Improve knowledge of arable biodiversity in Dorset through survey, research and monitoring.

6 Raise awareness of the importance of arable land for biodiversity.

Key at Appendix C


UK Priority habitat Cereal field margins only



Local decline Rapidly declining

Proportion of UK habitat in Dorset Unknown

Local threat Direct

Local rarity Rare















Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

For

gen

eric

issu

es a

ffect

ing

this

and

oth

er a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e P

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

for A

gric

ultu

re

Man

agem

ent

Use

of b

road

spe

ctru

mIn

dust

ry c

hang

e ha

s le

d to

incr

ease

dag

roch

emic

als

use

of m

ore

narr

ow s

pect

rum

che

mic

als

Con

serv

atio

n he

adla

nds.

Con

serv

atio

n he

adla

nds

have

con

trib

uted

1. P

rom

ote

entr

y in

to C

ount

rysi

de S

tew

ards

hip

arab

leD

EF

RA

, FW

AG

,to

war

ds r

aisi

ng a

war

enes

s of

ara

ble

biod

iver

sity

;op

tions

in s

uita

ble

loca

tions

to b

enef

it ke

y sp

ecie

s.D

WT,

Pur

beck

and

in s

ome

loca

tions

ass

iste

d sp

ecifi

c sp

ecie

s.B

AP,

RS

PB

, NT

New

Cou

ntry

side

Ste

war

dshi

p ar

able

Bro

ader

gra

nt a

id to

enc

oura

ge r

educ

ed u

se o

f2.

Eva

luat

e po

ssib

le o

ptio

ns fo

r w

ider

red

uctio

n in

DE

FR

A, F

WA

G,

optio

ns r

estr

ict u

se o

f agr

oche

mic

als.

chem

ical

s co

uld

be b

enef

icia

l.ag

roch

emic

al u

se th

roug

h fu

ture

‘bro

ad a

nd s

hallo

w’

DW

T, P

urbe

cksc

hem

e.B

AP,

RS

PB

, NT

Org

anic

farm

ing.

Shi

ft fr

om s

prin

g to

aut

umn

Ara

ble

optio

ns in

trod

uced

to C

ount

rysi

deF

utur

e ev

alua

tion

of b

iodi

vers

ity b

enef

its o

fS

ee a

ctio

n no

. 1D

EF

RA

, FW

AG

,so

wn

cere

als

Ste

war

dshi

p sc

hem

e in

200

2 pr

ovid

ear

able

opt

ions

is e

ssen

tial.

DW

T,gr

ant a

id fo

r w

inte

r st

ubbl

es/s

prin

g ce

real

s.P

urbe

ck B

AP,

RS

PB

, NT

Spe

cific

der

ogat

ions

ava

ilabl

e si

nce

Pre

viou

s m

easu

res

have

hel

ped

in s

ituat

ions

3. M

onito

r bi

odiv

ersi

ty o

utco

mes

of a

gri-e

nviro

nmen

tD

EF

RA

, DE

RC

,20

00 fo

r la

pwin

g pl

ots.

whe

re d

erog

atio

ns g

rant

ed. H

owev

er, b

road

er (

but

sche

mes

and

util

ise

resu

lts in

rev

iew

ing

pres

crip

tions

.R

SP

B, D

WT,

targ

eted

) gr

ant-

aidi

ng fo

r w

inte

r st

ubbl

es/ s

prin

g P

urbe

ck B

AP,

NT

cere

als

need

ed to

ben

efit

man

y ke

y sp

ecie

s.

Set

-asi

de p

rovi

des

som

e su

itabl

e ha

bita

t.

‘Tai

lings

’ pro

ject

invo

lved

farm

ers

inpr

ovid

ing

a w

inte

r fo

od s

ourc

e fo

rfa

rmla

nd b

irds.

Sim

plifi

catio

n of

cro

pO

rgan

ic fa

rmin

g.O

rgan

ic h

oldi

ngs

not a

lway

s m

ixed

farm

ing

4. P

rom

ote

biod

iver

sity

ben

efits

of o

rgan

ic fa

rmin

g D

EF

RA

, FW

AG

,ro

tatio

n an

d re

duce

dsy

stem

s –

thou

gh w

here

they

are

, a d

iver

sity

of

thro

ugh

initi

ativ

es th

at li

nk lo

cal f

ood

to th

e D

WT,

crop

div

ersi

tycr

ops

and

gras

slan

d is

mor

e lik

ely.

‘Ent

ry le

vel’

Dor

set l

ands

cape

.P

urbe

ck B

AP,

sche

me

shou

ld p

rom

ote

thes

e fe

atur

es fu

rthe

r.R

SP

B,

No

optio

ns c

urre

ntly

ava

ilabl

e fo

r ex

tens

ive

fodd

erA

ON

Bcr

op o

ptio

ns.

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

es p

rovi

de5.

Pro

mot

e en

try

into

Cou

ntry

side

Ste

war

dshi

p he

dge

DE

FR

A, F

WA

G,

gran

ts fo

r he

dger

ow p

lant

ing

and

plan

ting,

bee

tle b

anks

and

ara

ble

optio

ns in

sui

tabl

eD

WT,

beet

le b

anks

. New

Cou

ntry

side

loca

tions

to b

enef

it ke

y sp

ecie

s. P

rovi

de in

put i

nto

Pur

beck

BA

P,S

tew

ards

hip

arab

le o

ptio

ns p

rovi

deag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t rev

iew

on

addi

tiona

l mea

sure

s ne

eded

.R

SP

B,

ince

ntiv

e to

div

ersi

fy.

AO

NB

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

48

ARA

BLE

LA

ND

Man

agem

ent

con

t . .

.

Ara

ble/

stub

bles

hab

itat r

eint

rodu

ced

inR

eins

tate

d ar

able

are

as n

eed

eval

uatio

n ov

er ti

me

6. M

onito

r ef

fect

iven

ess

of r

eint

rodu

cing

ara

ble

crop

ping

P

ortla

nd B

ird

key

area

on

the

Isle

of P

ortla

nd.

for

biod

iver

sity

pur

pose

s. If

suc

cess

ful e

xpan

d to

Obs

erva

tory

, EN

,ot

her

area

s.R

SP

B, D

ER

C

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Lack

of i

nfor

mat

ion

onR

SP

B/P

urbe

ck B

AP

farm

land

bird

Info

rmat

ion

has

help

ed in

targ

etin

g ad

viso

ry w

ork

7. C

ontin

ue to

mon

itor

key

spec

ies

and

expa

nd s

urve

yD

ER

C, R

SP

B,

key

site

ssu

rvey

s ca

rrie

d ou

t in

‘hot

spot

’ are

as to

and

gran

t app

licat

ions

in P

urbe

ck a

nd N

E D

orse

t.w

ork

to c

over

oth

er a

reas

and

spe

cies

.P

urbe

ck B

AP,

help

targ

et g

rant

s.A

dvis

ory

wor

k on

ara

ble

biod

iver

sity

has

bee

nD

WT

co-o

rdin

ated

wel

l bet

wee

n pa

rtne

rs.

Pur

beck

inve

ntor

y of

ara

ble

site

s &

8. M

onito

r ef

fect

iven

ess

of a

gri-e

nviro

nmen

t sch

emes

As

abov

eR

SP

B a

rabl

e ‘w

eed’

aud

it.fo

r ke

y sp

ecie

s.

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

rais

ing

Lack

of r

ecog

nitio

n an

dS

ites

reco

gnis

ed th

roug

h in

vent

orie

s an

dF

ew S

NC

Is c

over

ara

ble

habi

tats

as

diffi

cult

to9.

Rai

se a

war

enes

s w

ith o

wne

rs/m

anag

ers

of k

ey s

ites

ofD

EF

RA

, RS

PB

,pr

otec

tion

of k

ey s

ites.

agri-

envi

ronm

ent s

chem

es.

defin

e bo

unda

ries,

par

ticul

arly

for

bird

s or

whe

reim

port

ance

for

biod

iver

sity

and

pro

mot

e sy

mpa

thet

icP

urbe

ck B

AP,

SN

CI s

yste

m c

over

s ar

able

pla

nts

and

inte

rest

onl

y in

mar

gins

. Inv

ento

ries/

key

spec

ies

man

agem

ent.

DW

Tlo

oked

into

gui

delin

es fo

r bi

rds.

reco

rds

have

bee

n us

ed e

ffect

ivel

y to

targ

etag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t gra

nts.

10. R

aise

aw

aren

ess

of im

port

ance

of a

rabl

e bi

odiv

ersi

tyR

SP

B, D

WT,

NT,

with

in th

e w

ider

com

mun

ity.

Pur

beck

BA

P

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

DW

T –

Dor

set W

ildlif

e Tr

ust

DE

RC

– D

orse

t Env

ironm

enta

l Rec

ords

Cen

tre

DE

FR

A –

Dep

artm

ent o

f the

Env

ironm

ent,

Foo

d an

d R

ural

Affa

irsE

N –

Eng

lish

Nat

ure

FW

AG

– F

arm

ing

and

Wild

life

Adv

isor

y G

roup

LA’s

– L

ocal

Aut

horit

ies

NF

U –

Nat

iona

l Far

mer

s U

nion

NT

– N

atio

nal T

rust

RS

PB

– R

oyal

Soc

iety

for

the

Pro

tect

ion

of B

irds

49

ARA

BLE

LA

ND

50

2.3.7 PONDS National Lead Partner: None

Habitat description

The number of ponds in the wider countryside in Dorset is unknown. The UK total is estimated at243,000 small water bodies (between 25m2 and 2ha). A 75% decline is thought to have occurred overthe last 110 years. Although pond numbers in the UK are now relatively stable, ponds in Dorset sufferfrom the same problems as those nationally, particularly infilling, pollution and scrub encroachment.

Ponds provide valuable refuges in the wider countryside for many forms of wildlife, particularlyamphibians and aquatic invertebrates. Ephemeral ponds (ponds which dry out for part of the summer)can support specialised flora and fauna, but are under threat because their special value can beoverlooked or destroyed by deepening them to form permanent ponds.

The Biodiversity Management Group has proposed that a Habitat Action Plan is prepared for thishabitat. This Habitat Statement will form the basis of the action plan.

Specific Impacts

● Pollution

● Infilling of ponds

● Inappropriate management of ponds and adjacent land

● Non-native species ( e.g Crassula helmsii)

● Isolation

● Gaps in knowledge

Natural Area Targets: There are no Natural Area targets set for this habitat.

Objectives

1 Ascertain the value and extent of the existing resource

2 Retain and enhance the existing range and value of open water habitats by appropriatemanagement.

3 Promote the retention, creation and enhancement of buffer zones and sympathetic landuse around water bodies.

4 Promote the strategic creation of ‘pond ways’ or pond clusters


6 Provide opportunities for education, access and awareness raising initiatives

Key at Appendix C


UK Priority habitat Proposed (for ponds of high ecological value)



Local decline Unknown

Proportion of UK habitat in Dorset Unknown

Local threat Direct

Local rarity Unknown

Potential to extend/ link habitat fragments Create clusters














Wild

life

pond

by

Dor

een

Haw

ley

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

For

gen

eric

issu

es a

nd r

ecom

men

ded

actio

ns a

ffect

ing

this

and

oth

er a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e ‘P

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

for A

gric

ultu

re’

Po

licy

and

leg

isla

tio

n

Pol

lutio

nS

ee F

resh

wat

er M

anag

emen

tS

ee F

resh

wat

er M

anag

emen

t Pro

gram

me

ofS

ee F

resh

wat

er M

anag

emen

t Pro

gram

me

ofP

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

: Wat

er q

ualit

y –

Act

ion

: Wat

er q

ualit

y –

diffu

se p

ollu

tion.

Act

ion

: Wat

er q

ualit

y –

diffu

se p

ollu

tion.

diffu

se p

ollu

tion.

Man

agem

ent

Infil

ling

of p

onds

Pon

d in

fillin

g of

ten

cont

rolle

d th

roug

hO

nly

wor

ks w

here

pon

ds a

re k

now

n to

exi

st.

1.C

ompl

ete

a co

unty

-wid

e po

nd s

urve

y to

pro

vide

aD

WT,

HC

T,pl

anni

ng le

gisl

atio

n.co

mpr

ehen

sive

bas

elin

e.D

ER

C, L

A’ s

, NT

Legi

slat

ion

to p

rote

ct k

ey p

ond

spec

ies,

Effe

ctiv

e on

ly w

hen

spec

ies

are

know

n ab

out.

See

act

ion

5, 6

and

7 b

elow

.e.

g. g

reat

cre

sted

new

ts.

Inap

prop

riate

man

agem

ent

Fol

low

up

man

agem

ent a

dvic

e th

roug

hP

ond

rest

orat

ion

and

crea

tion

paym

ents

are

2.

Pro

vide

adv

ice

on m

anag

emen

t of p

onds

for

Gre

at

DW

T, F

WA

G,

of p

onds

and

adj

acen

t lan

dG

reat

Cre

sted

New

t Gro

up s

urve

ys in

avai

labl

e th

roug

h ag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t sch

emes

.C

rest

ed N

ewts

in N

orth

and

Eas

t Dor

set.

Pur

beck

BA

P

Wes

t Dor

set a

nd P

urbe

ck.

Pro

ject

Pon

d m

anag

emen

t lea

flet t

o be

pro

duce

dM

anag

emen

t adv

ice

for

non

grea

t cre

sted

new

t3.

Thr

ough

pre

para

tion

of a

Pon

ds H

abita

t Act

ion

Pla

n,D

orse

tby

Gre

at c

rest

ed n

ewt G

roup

(lo

cally

).po

nds

is p

atch

y an

d un

co-o

rdin

ated

.es

tabl

ish

co-o

rdin

ated

act

ion

for

pond

s of

wild

life

valu

e,

Bio

dive

rsity

to

com

plim

ent t

he G

reat

cre

sted

new

t wor

k.P

artn

ersh

ipG

reat

cre

sted

new

t han

dboo

k av

aila

ble

to le

adna

tiona

lly.

Sm

all s

cale

pon

d re

stor

atio

n pr

ojec

ts.

FW

AG

Who

le F

arm

Pla

ns c

an in

tegr

ate

man

agem

ent o

f pon

ds a

nd s

urro

undi

ngla

nd.

Non

nat

ive

spec

ies

Gar

den

Cen

tre

Pro

ject

to r

aise

aw

aren

ess

Impo

rtan

t edu

catio

n pr

ojec

t. S

ucce

ss to

be

See

Gen

eric

act

ion

in fr

eshw

ater

man

agem

ent

EA

, DW

T(e

.g. C

rass

ula

helm

sii)

of in

vasi

ve p

lant

pro

blem

.de

term

ined

.pr

ogra

mm

e of

act

ion.

Nos

.25

and

26.

Isol

atio

nIn

form

atio

n le

afle

ts o

n po

nd c

reat

ion

Isol

ated

pon

ds h

ave

limite

d va

lue

with

out

4.P

ond

crea

tion

stra

tegy

to b

e de

velo

ped

Thr

ough

(nat

iona

l and

loca

l).co

nsid

erin

g its

pla

ce w

ithin

a p

ond

‘clu

ster

’.(t

o in

clud

e ep

hem

eral

pon

ds).

prep

arat

ion

ofH

abita

t Act

ion

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

es to

cre

ate

Pla

nne

w p

onds

.

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

51

PON

DS

52

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t Act

ion

Eva

luat

ion

Rec

om

men

ded

act

ion

par

tner

s

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Gap

s in

kno

wle

dge

Gre

at C

reat

ed N

ewt G

roup

sur

veyi

ngF

urth

er s

urve

ying

is r

equi

red

for

com

preh

ensi

ve5.

Util

ise

data

base

to a

naly

se a

nd fi

ll in

gap

s in

kno

wle

dge.

Gre

st C

rest

edpo

nds

in D

orse

t tha

t are

impo

rtan

t for

the

cove

rage

of g

reat

cre

sted

new

t dis

trib

utio

n.N

ewt G

roup

spec

ies.

Dat

abas

e be

ing

deve

lope

d to

6.S

eek

reso

urce

s to

und

erta

ke a

pon

d in

vent

ory.

Dor

set B

iodi

vers

ityho

ld in

form

atio

n.P

artn

ersh

ipN

o in

vent

ory

of p

onds

that

sup

port

BA

P s

peci

es o

r7.

Iden

tify

furt

her

prio

rity

spec

ies

surv

ey w

ork.

Dor

set B

iodi

vers

ityar

e of

wild

life

impo

rtan

ce.

Par

tner

ship

Fur

ther

dat

a re

quire

d e.

g. fo

r so

me

scar

ce g

roup

sof

inve

rteb

rate

s an

d st

onew

orts

.

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:D

WT

– D

orse

t Wild

life

Trus

tH

CT

– H

erpe

tolo

gica

l Con

serv

atio

n Tr

ust

DE

RC

– D

orse

t Env

ironm

enta

l Rec

ords

Cen

tre

LA’s

– L

ocal

Aut

horit

ies

EN

– E

nglis

h N

atur

eN

T –

Nat

iona

l Tru

stF

WA

G –

Far

min

g an

d W

ildlif

e A

dvis

ory

Gro

up

PON

DS

FRES

HW

ATER

2.4 TOPIC ACTION PLAN:Freshwater Management

53

Ext

ract

of

a ph

oto

by I

an A

nder

son

IntroductionThe use of water affects biodiversity in many ways. Inappropriate management and over-abstractioncan lead to depletion of rivers, lakes and wetlands. Wetland habitats and the wildlife that depends onthem can be severely affected by both water level and water quality. Watercourses are particularlydependent on the amount and quality of water available, and pollution is a major threat.

With the additional threat of climate change and the consequent changes in rainfall patterns, theavailability and demand for water needs to be managed in a sustainable way.

There are important links with the agriculture sector, where patterns of agricultural land use within ruralcatchments often dictate the condition and extent of the wetland and water environment. As a resultthe factors affecting biodiversity in the agriculture sector also apply to the freshwater managementsector. In addition there are important links to the land use planning sector where planning policiesneed to achieve better integration with water management regimes to ensure that enough water, ofsufficient quality, is available at the right times to support wetland biodiversity objectives as well as toprovide flood defence.

The EC Water Framework Directive will increasingly set the context for other policy initiatives relating towater and wetlands. It aims to achieve sustainable water management through further development ofthe catchment-scale approach. This will bring clear benefits for aquatic and wetland wildlife.

A Vision for the Freshwater Management Sector (from the ‘England Biodiversity Strategy’DEFRA 2002)

‘ A whole catchment approach to land use and water management with all sectors of the communityplaying an active role. In this way, we are reversing the degradation and fragmentation of water andwetland habitats and restoring their functions to deliver long-term social, economic and environmentalbenefits. We measure the sustainability of our approach to water management by the condition of ouraquatic and wetland ecosystems, and are proud of the biodiversity of the water environment.’

Aim

● To reverse historical habitat degradation and fragmentation of freshwater habitats and restore the functioning and quality of wetland ecosystems.

Impacts

● Water quality – pollution through point sources (waste outfalls from industry, farms, sewage works, aquaculture including watercress beds).

● Water quality – pollution through diffuse sources (soil erosion, road drainage, down wash of slurriesand other wastes).

● Water levels.

● Water resources – over-abstraction from water courses and aquifers increasing likelihood of low flows with associated water quality problems (low dissolved oxygen, algal growth), and drying out of associated habitats. (Global climate change may exacerbate the problem).

● Habitat loss, fragmentation and isolation.

● Understanding of habitat and species status and requirements.

● Spread of invasive non-native species – e.g. Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, signal crayfish, mink.

● Lack of awareness by the public of freshwater issues.



● Condition of water and wetland SSSIs.

● Populations of water and wetland birds.

● Progress towards water and wetlands priority habitat and species targets.

● Proportion of surface water bodies judged at good status or above.

● Biological quality of rivers.

54

FRES

HW

ATER

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

Po

licy

and

leg

isla

tio

n

Wat

er q

ualit

y –

Gen

eric

- d

isch

arge

con

sent

ing

proc

ess

Pro

cess

man

aged

effe

ctiv

ely

but R

iver

Qua

lity

1.Lo

bby

loca

lly, a

nd th

roug

h re

gion

al a

nd n

atio

nal

DW

T, R

SP

B,

poin

t sou

rce

pollu

tion

Obj

ectiv

es (

RQ

O)

not s

et a

gain

st B

AP

cont

acts

, to

set R

QO

’s a

gain

st B

AP

req

uire

men

ts.

EN

requ

irem

ents

.

Agr

icul

tura

l –R

egul

ator

y fr

amew

ork

Nat

iona

l tre

nd to

war

ds a

n in

crea

se in

poi

nt2.

Wor

k w

ith th

e E

nviro

nmen

t Age

ncy

loca

lly, a

ndD

WT,

FW

AG

, (e

.g fe

rtili

ser

appl

icat

ion/

slu

rry

stor

age)

sour

ce a

nd d

iffus

e po

llutio

n in

cide

nts

from

th

roug

h re

gion

al a

nd n

atio

nal c

onta

cts

for

R

SP

B, E

Nag

ricul

tura

l dis

char

ge. N

ew F

arm

Was

te G

rant

appr

opria

te ta

rget

ing

to h

igh

risk

area

s fo

r fa

rmS

chem

e fo

r N

itrat

e V

ulne

rabl

e Z

ones

(N

VZ

)vi

sits

to p

reve

nt fa

rm p

ollu

tion

inci

dent

s th

roug

hsh

ould

hel

p in

NV

Z a

reas

, but

doe

sup

grad

ing

farm

sto

rage

faci

lties

not c

over

the

who

le c

ount

y.

Urb

an –

Reg

ulat

ory

fram

ewor

kD

oesn

’t re

gula

te u

nsew

ered

vill

ages

, or

non

3.W

ork

with

loca

l aut

horit

ies

to im

prov

e di

scha

rges

Wat

ere.

g W

ater

Com

pany

Ass

etw

ater

com

pany

rel

ated

dis

char

ges.

from

uns

ewer

ed v

illag

es.

Com

pani

es,

Man

agem

ent P

lans

(A

MP

s)E

A, L

A’s

Fai

lure

s an

d ov

erflo

ws

from

wat

er c

ompa

ny4.

Che

ck r

obus

tnes

s of

sew

er s

yste

ms

onW

ater

faci

litie

sim

port

ant s

ites

as a

prio

rity.

Com

pani

es,

Whe

re fa

ilure

of R

QO

s le

ads

to in

clus

ion

in5.

See

act

ion

1 ab

ove

AM

P, th

ere

is n

o m

echa

nism

to in

clud

e B

AP

requ

irem

ents

in th

e pr

oces

s. R

obus

t dat

a is

requ

ired

to p

rove

act

ion

is r

equi

red

thro

ugh

AM

P. H

abita

ts D

irect

ive

requ

irem

ents

are

inco

rpor

ated

into

AM

P

Wat

er q

ualit

y –

Nitr

ate

Vul

nera

ble

Zon

esR

ecen

tly e

xten

ded

to c

over

55%

of U

K.

6.D

urin

g ne

xt r

evie

w o

f NV

Zs

in 2

006,

lobb

y fo

r it

toD

WT,

FW

AG

,di

ffuse

pol

lutio

n (f

rom

(Nea

rly 5

0% o

f Dor

set)

. NV

’s w

ere

set u

pco

ver

all B

AP

hab

itats

R

SP

B, E

N, E

Aag

ricul

tura

l pra

ctic

es)

to m

eet d

rinki

ng w

ater

req

uire

men

ts,

and

are

not n

eces

saril

y ta

rget

ed to

war

ds7.

Look

favo

urab

ly a

t agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

eD

EF

RA

wild

life

gain

. The

refo

re k

ey h

abita

ts in

ap

plic

atio

ns th

at w

ill b

enef

it w

ater

qua

lity

Dor

set a

re n

ot c

over

ed (

e.g

chal

k w

inte

rbou

rnes

)8.

Set

up

dem

onst

ratio

n si

tes

to tr

ain

advi

sors

and

EA

, Pur

beck

DE

FR

A A

gri-e

nviro

nmen

t Rev

iew

Pro

gres

sed

natio

nally

land

man

ager

s in

opt

imum

man

agem

ent

BA

Pte

chni

ques

to m

itiga

te d

iffus

e po

llutio

n.A

gri-e

nviro

nmen

t sch

emes

can

Cou

ntry

side

Ste

war

dshi

p/ E

SA

Sch

eme

enco

urag

e m

anag

emen

t to

redu

ceno

t set

up

to d

eal w

ith r

un-o

ff, b

ut c

an

9.W

etla

nd B

AP

Gro

up s

houl

d st

reng

then

link

s w

ith

EA

to le

adru

n-of

f. La

ndow

ner

liais

on o

ffice

rsbe

a s

ide

bene

fit. T

his

is b

eing

add

ress

edag

ricul

tura

l sec

tor

repr

esen

tativ

es.

prom

ote

the

setti

ng u

p of

buf

fer

strip

sth

roug

h ag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t rev

iew

alon

g w

ater

cour

ses

whe

re th

ere

is10

.Ext

end

Land

care

Pro

ject

to c

over

Fro

me,

Fle

etLa

ndow

ners

,a

prob

lem

.an

d W

ey c

atch

men

ts o

nce

less

ons

have

bee

nE

N, D

EF

RA

,le

arnt

from

the

Avo

n pr

oces

s (t

he ti

mes

cale

for

EA

, FW

AG

, P

ilot ‘

Land

care

’ Pro

ject

on

Avo

nLi

mite

d ar

ea, b

ut P

roje

ct O

ffice

r pr

ovid

ing

thes

e pr

ojec

ts is

long

er te

rm)

Dor

set

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

usef

ul li

nk w

ith fa

rmer

sA

ON

B

55

FRES

HW

ATER

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

Po

licy

and

leg

isla

tio

n c

on

t . .

.

Wat

er q

ualit

y –

Var

ious

are

a ba

sed

proj

ects

pro

mot

ing

SU

DS

not

alw

ays

adop

ted

due

to c

once

rns

11.E

stab

lish

loca

l agr

eem

ents

on

the

polic

y of

Wat

erdi

ffuse

pol

lutio

nS

usta

inab

le U

rban

Dra

inag

e S

yste

ms

over

long

term

man

agem

ent a

nd r

espo

nsib

ility

adop

tion

and

man

agem

ent o

f SU

DS

, and

ens

ure

Com

pani

es,

(fro

m d

evel

opm

ent)

(SU

DS

) e.

g. B

ourn

e S

trea

m P

roje

ct,

thes

e ar

e in

corp

orat

ed in

to le

gal p

lann

ing

EA

, LA

’s.

agre

emen

ts.

12.P

rom

ote

sust

aina

ble

drai

nage

sys

tem

s as

aE

A, L

A’s

,pr

e-re

quis

ite fo

r ne

w d

evel

opm

ents

.W

ater

Com

pani

esD

WT,

EN

13.R

etro

-fit

sust

aina

ble

drai

nage

sys

tem

s fo

r ex

istin

gLA

’s, E

Apr

oble

m s

ites

14.E

nsur

e su

bseq

uent

mai

nten

ance

of n

ew S

UD

SLA

’sw

ithin

pla

nnin

g ag

reem

ents

.

Wat

er le

vels

W

ater

Lev

el M

anag

emen

t Pla

ns (

WLM

Ps)

Impl

emen

tatio

n sl

ow. W

ill r

equi

re s

igni

fican

t15

.Iden

tify

optio

ns fo

r m

ore

field

wor

kers

to

prog

ress

DW

T, F

WA

G,

bein

g pr

epar

ed a

nd s

ome

impl

emen

ted

reso

urce

s to

impl

emen

t. D

elay

s du

e to

the

faci

litat

ion

of W

LMP

sR

SP

B, E

N,

on w

etla

nd S

SS

Is. A

von

Val

ley

Pro

ject

conf

lict r

esol

utio

n.D

EF

RA

, Dor

set

Offi

cer

appo

inte

d to

faci

litat

e th

e pr

oces

sS

ee a

ctio

n 17

AO

NB

in th

at a

rea.

Sta

tuto

ry p

roce

ss o

nly

cove

rs S

SS

I wet

land

s.16

.Lob

by lo

cally

, and

thro

ugh

regi

onal

and

nat

iona

lD

WT,

FW

AG

,La

ck o

f fin

anci

al in

cent

ives

for

land

owne

rs. N

oco

ntac

ts, t

o lin

k ag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t sch

emes

and

WLM

Ps

RS

PB

, EN

cros

s-co

rrel

atio

n be

twee

n W

LMP

and

agri-

envi

ronm

ent s

chem

es.

17.Id

entif

y an

d pr

iorit

ise

furt

her

non

desi

gnat

edT

hrou

ghsi

tes

for

WLM

Ps

Wet

land

Pur

beck

Bio

dive

rsity

Pro

ject

pro

gres

sing

Pro

gres

sing

wel

l.W

orki

ng G

roup

WLM

Ps

on n

on S

SS

Is in

Fro

me

Val

ley

Wat

er r

esou

rces

Reg

ulat

ory

fram

ewor

k (li

cenc

ing

The

reg

ulat

ory

fram

ewor

k is

effe

ctiv

e ba

sed

18.E

nsur

e ne

w in

form

atio

n de

velo

ped

thro

ugh

EA

, Pur

beck

BA

Ppr

oced

ures

)on

cur

rent

kno

wle

dge.

Cat

chm

ent A

bstr

actio

n M

anag

emen

t Str

ateg

ies

(CA

MS

) pr

oces

s is

fed

back

into

the

licen

sing

syst

em

Wes

sex

Wat

er, a

nd B

ourn

emou

th &

Impl

emen

tatio

n m

ost e

ffect

ive

in s

peci

fic a

reas

.19

.If d

eem

ed s

ucce

ssfu

l, ex

tend

cam

paig

n to

oth

erW

ater

W

est H

ants

Wat

er c

ampa

ign

for

wis

e us

eE

ffect

iven

ess

of c

ampa

ign

is b

eing

ass

esse

dta

rget

ed a

reas

.C

ompa

nies

of w

ater

res

ourc

es a

nd d

eman

don

the

Bou

rne

as p

art o

f the

Bou

rne

man

agem

ent

Str

eam

Initi

ativ

e.

Dev

elop

ing

Cat

chm

ent A

bstr

actio

nN

ot fo

rmal

ly B

AP

led.

Onl

y ab

le to

add

ress

20.In

fluen

ce th

e lo

cal C

AM

S p

roce

ss to

ach

ieve

EN

, RS

PB

,M

anag

emen

t Str

ateg

ies

(CA

MS

) on

Sto

ur,

biod

iver

sity

issu

es if

rel

evan

t inf

orm

atio

n is

mad

ebi

odiv

ersi

ty g

ains

by

rais

ing

biod

iver

sity

issu

es w

here

DW

T, E

AF

rom

e, P

iddl

e, W

est D

orse

t and

Avo

n.av

aila

ble

to p

rove

the

case

.in

form

atio

n is

ava

ilabl

e to

pro

ve th

e ca

se. I

n th

eab

senc

e of

info

rmat

ion

seek

to s

et u

p(c

ontin

ued

over

leaf

)m

onito

ring

56

FRES

HW

ATER

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

57

Man

agem

ent

Hab

itat l

oss,

isol

atio

nP

rote

ctiv

e po

licie

s e.

g. s

tatu

tory

H

abita

t los

s gr

eatly

red

uced

, but

con

tinui

ng21

.Bui

ldin

g on

cur

rent

initi

ativ

es s

et u

p w

orki

ng g

roup

sLA

’s, E

A,

and

frag

men

tatio

nde

sign

ated

site

s, lo

cal d

evel

opm

ent

prob

lem

with

isol

atio

n le

adin

g to

unt

enab

leat

dis

tric

t cou

ncil

leve

l to

iden

tify

stra

tegi

c op

port

uniti

esD

WT,

EN

cont

rol p

roce

ssm

anag

emen

t.fo

r re

vers

ing

frag

men

tatio

n an

d is

olat

ion

thro

ugh

habi

tat

Dor

set A

ON

Bcr

eatio

n, th

us e

nabl

ing

mor

e su

stai

nabl

e m

anag

emen

t.N

atur

al A

rea

base

d st

rate

gic

appr

oach

tow

ards

reve

rsin

g fr

agm

enta

tion

and

isol

atio

n(‘R

ebui

ldin

g B

iodi

vers

ity’)

in p

rogr

ess

Con

sulte

e ad

vice

on

effe

cts

of d

evel

opm

ent

(e.g

. EA

/ DW

T/ E

N)

not a

lway

s ta

ken

Pro

ject

Offi

cers

offe

ring

advi

ce o

nS

ucce

ssfu

l, bu

t sec

urin

g fu

ndin

g fo

r po

sts

is a

22.A

ll fu

ndin

g/ p

oten

tial f

undi

ng p

artn

ers

to r

evie

wA

LLm

anag

emen

t, re

stor

atio

n an

d re

-cre

atio

nch

alle

nge

reso

urce

s fo

r ad

viso

ry p

osts

Agr

i-env

ironm

ent s

chem

esN

ew e

ntry

leve

l sch

eme

will

mak

e it

poss

ible

for

23.E

nsur

e st

ruct

ure

and

impl

emen

tatio

n of

sch

emes

DE

FR

Aal

l far

ms

to b

e in

a s

chem

eac

hiev

es m

axim

um w

ildlif

e be

nefit

s

Inva

sive

non

nat

ive

spec

ies

Ad

hoc

cont

rol o

f min

k an

d in

vasi

veN

ot b

eing

suc

cess

fully

con

trol

led

24.D

evel

op a

str

ateg

ic w

ater

vol

e re

cove

ry p

rogr

amm

e,E

A ,

DW

Tpl

ants

(H

imal

ayan

Bal

sam

, Jap

anes

eth

roug

h m

ink

cont

rol,

targ

etin

g th

e F

rom

e an

d A

von.

Kno

twee

d, G

iant

Hog

wee

d, �

��

��

��

��a

nd o

ther

aqu

atic

s))

25.D

evel

op s

trat

egic

inva

sive

pla

nt c

ontr

ol p

rogr

amm

esE

A, L

A’s

with

dis

tric

t cou

ncils

.G

arde

n C

entr

e P

roje

ct to

rai

se a

war

enes

sIm

port

ant e

duca

tion

proj

ect.

Suc

cess

to b

eof

inva

sive

pla

nt p

robl

em.

dete

rmin

ed26

.Rep

eat p

roje

ct e

very

3-5

yea

rs if

suc

cess

ful.

DW

T/ E

A

DE

FR

A R

evie

w o

f leg

isla

tion

Bei

ng p

rogr

esse

d na

tiona

lly

Res

earc

h a

nd

Mo

nit

ori

ng

BA

P s

peci

es d

istr

ibut

ion

Ad

hoc

surv

eys

prog

ress

ing

by v

ario

usN

ot c

urre

ntly

bei

ng d

one

in a

co-

ordi

nate

d w

ay27

.Wor

k w

ith s

mal

l and

med

ium

siz

ed e

nter

pris

esA

ll in

volv

edan

d re

quire

men

tsor

gani

satio

ns(S

ME

s) to

rai

se a

war

enes

s of

sus

tain

able

wat

er is

sues

and

prom

ote

wat

er s

avin

g de

vice

s(c

ontin

ued

over

leaf

)E

U L

IFE

Riv

er A

von

Pro

ject

Pro

vidi

ng n

ew in

form

atio

n on

BA

P s

peci

es

FRES

HW

ATER

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

58

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

Aw

aren

ess

Rai

sin

g

Lack

of

awar

enes

s of

Wes

sex

Wat

er W

ise

Use

cam

paig

nS

ee a

ctio

n no

. 19

wat

er is

sues

(as

abov

e)

Bou

rne

Str

eam

Initi

ativ

e –

free

wat

erW

orks

mos

t effe

ctiv

ely

as a

n ar

ea b

ased

initi

ativ

esa

ving

dev

ices

from

Bou

rnem

outh

and

Wes

t Han

ts W

ater

SW

Was

te M

inim

isat

ion

Gro

up a

im to

28. W

ork

with

sm

all a

nd m

ediu

m s

ized

ent

erpr

ises

E

A, E

Nra

ise

awar

enes

s of

wat

er is

sues

(SM

Es)

to r

aise

aw

aren

ess

of s

usta

inab

le w

ater

issu

esan

d pr

omot

e w

ater

sav

ing

devi

ces

Pre

pare

d in

con

sulta

tion

with

: The

Wet

land

BA

P G

roup

and

DE

FR

A

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

DE

FR

A –

Dep

artm

ent o

f the

Env

ironm

ent,

Foo

d an

d R

ural

Affa

irsD

WT

– D

orse

t Wild

life

Trus

tE

N –

Eng

lish

Nat

ure

EA

– E

nviro

nmen

t Age

ncy

FW

AG

– F

arm

ing

and

Wild

life

Adv

isor

y G

roup

LA’s

– L

ocal

Aut

horit

ies

RS

PB

– R

oyal

Soc

iety

for

the

Pro

tect

ion

of B

irds

FRES

HW

ATER

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

59

Cha

lk r

iver

by

Bry

an E

dwar

ds

2.4.1 COASTAL AND FLOODPLAIN GRAZING MARSH National Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh is defined as wet grassland that has been formed by theclaiming of coastal or floodplain wetland, usually through the enclosure by sea walls or river banks, andis poorly drained by tidal channels or an interconnected grid of ditches which are typically subject tolocked drainage through tidal or fluvial influences.

Their fertile soils support intensive farmland and there is a marked contrast between seasons. In winter,the flooded fields are home to wading birds, whilst in summer, the wildlife interest is confined to water-filled ditches which can be rich in plants and invertebrates.

Historically, Dorset contained about 5300ha of lowland wet grassland. Since about 1900 about 200ha(12%) of Dorset’s grazing marsh has been destroyed through loss of the tidal channels or ditch networkfrom development, waste disposal and re-flooding. Parts of the remaining area have changed fromgrassland to reed swamp. In coming years some grazing marsh around the Harbours will be vulnerableto loss from rising sea level and the unsustainable nature of some sea walls.

Managing such a complex system is a delicate balance of soil, water, wildlife and farming.

Specific Impacts

● Agricultural intensification/ inappropriate management.

● Impact of sea level rise.

● Monitoring of habitat condition.

● Public access management.


60

Objectives


2 Restore grazing marsh from drier, semi-improved or improved grassland or arable land.

3 Secure appropriate physical and hydrological conditions to re-establish the riverfloodplain function and habitats wherever feasible.



Key at Appendix C







Local threat Direct

Local rarity Scarce















Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

For

gen

eric

issu

es a

ffect

ing

this

and

oth

er a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e P

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

for A

gric

ultu

re

Man

agem

ent

Agr

icul

tura

lS

SS

I Man

agem

ent A

gree

men

ts

Rel

ativ

ely

smal

l are

as in

con

serv

atio

n 1.

Lob

by fo

r in

crea

sed

finan

cial

ince

ntiv

es fo

r W

LMP

sA

ll in

tere

sted

inte

nsifi

catio

n/an

d ag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t sch

emes

aim

m

anag

emen

t agr

eem

ents

. Ver

y lo

calis

ed o

utsi

deor

gani

satio

nsIn

appr

opria

te m

anag

emen

tto

red

uce

dairy

farm

ing

impa

cts

the

Avo

n V

alle

y S

peci

al A

rea

of C

onse

rvat

ion

and

incr

ease

ext

ensi

ve fa

rmin

g (S

AC

).pr

actic

es.

Non

com

plia

nce

with

agr

eem

ents

to u

nder

take

posi

tive

wor

ks (

e.g.

dra

in c

lear

ance

)

Man

agem

ent a

dvic

e to

ext

end

Dor

set W

etla

nds

BA

P G

roup

set

obj

ectiv

es a

nd2.

Dor

set W

etla

nd B

AP

Gro

up to

dev

elop

eco

logi

cal

Wet

land

BA

Pgr

azin

g m

arsh

targ

eted

to F

rom

e V

alle

y,

co-o

rdin

ate

all b

iodi

vers

ity w

ork

on fl

oodp

lain

targ

ets

for

rest

orat

ion

of g

razi

ng m

arsh

Gro

upP

iddl

e, A

von

and

Poo

le H

arbo

ur

graz

ing

mar

sh in

Dor

set.

mar

gins

.

Avo

n V

alle

y Li

aiso

n G

roup

hel

pP

rogr

essi

ng. T

arge

ts s

et.

3. S

eek

to e

nsur

e W

ater

Lev

el M

anag

emen

t Pla

n (W

LMP

)D

EF

RA

, EA

co-o

rdin

ate

wor

k on

gra

zing

mar

sh w

ithin

impl

emen

tatio

n in

crea

ses

upta

ke o

f ES

A T

ier

Cth

e A

von

Val

ley

in th

e A

von

Val

ley

ES

A

Dor

set G

razi

ng A

nim

als

Pro

ject

set

up

Effe

ctiv

enes

s no

t eva

luat

ed. A

ppro

pria

te b

reed

s4.

Wet

land

Gro

up to

rev

iew

the

succ

ess

of th

isW

etla

nd B

AP

by E

nglis

h N

atur

e fo

r S

SS

Isof

live

stoc

k ha

rd to

obt

ain

(thr

ough

dec

line

proj

ect f

or g

razi

ng m

arsh

, and

rec

omm

end

furt

her

actio

n.G

roup

in b

eef f

arm

ing)

Exp

erim

enta

l man

agem

ent o

f wat

erTo

dat

e fa

iled

to e

ncou

rage

bre

edin

g w

adin

g(R

efer

to F

resh

wat

er M

anag

emen

t Pro

gram

me

leve

ls th

roug

h E

N a

nd R

SP

B s

itebi

rds.

Insu

ffici

ent r

esou

rces

ava

ilabl

e to

of A

ctio

n fo

r w

ater

leve

ls)

man

agem

ent a

roun

d P

oole

Har

bour

.im

plem

ent p

roje

ct e

ffect

ivel

y.

Impa

ct o

f sea

leve

l ris

eIn

vest

igat

ion

into

man

aged

ret

reat

Pro

gres

sing

5. W

ork

with

SLM

P p

roce

ss to

ens

ure

whe

re m

anag

edE

N, E

A,

optio

ns a

roun

d P

oole

Har

bour

re

trea

t opt

ions

are

con

side

red,

miti

gatin

g fr

eshw

ater

RS

PB

, LA

’sth

roug

h S

hore

line

Man

agem

ent

habi

tat w

ill b

e cr

eate

dP

lan

(SLM

P)

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Mon

itorin

g of

hab

itat

Bird

cou

nts

are

used

to e

stab

lish

cond

ition

Dec

reas

e in

bre

edin

g w

adin

g bi

rds

on th

e co

nditi

onof

gra

zing

mar

sh in

key

are

asR

iver

Avo

n. W

adin

g bi

rds

now

ext

inct

in th

eF

rom

e co

rrid

or.

EN

Con

ditio

n A

sses

smen

ts fo

r S

SS

IsM

ost g

razi

ng m

arsh

is in

unf

avou

rabl

e co

nditi

on.

6. C

ondi

tion

Ass

esm

ent c

riter

ia to

be

rolle

d ou

t for

SN

CIs

.D

WT

com

plet

ed.

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

61

COA

STA

L A

ND

FLO

OD

PLA

IN G

RAZI

NG

MA

RSH

62

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t Act

ion

Eva

luat

ion

Rec

om

men

ded

act

ion

par

tner

s

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

rais

ing

Pub

lic a

cces

s m

anag

emen

tP

ublic

acc

ess

man

aged

on

site

by

Dem

and

for

incr

ease

d pu

blic

acc

ess

on r

iver

s7.

Wor

k w

ith la

ndow

ners

tow

ards

a s

trat

egic

app

roac

h to

EN

, EA

,si

te b

asis

such

as

the

Avo

n ha

s to

be

man

aged

or

will

lead

acce

ss o

n gr

azin

g m

arsh

, to

bala

nce

adeq

uate

acc

ess

DW

T, R

SP

B,

to fu

rthe

r w

adin

g bi

rd d

eclin

e.an

d w

ildlif

e pr

otec

tion.

LA’s

Key

to p

oten

tial p

artn

ers:

DE

FR

A –

Dep

artm

ent o

f the

Env

ironm

ent,

Foo

d an

d R

ural

Affa

irsD

WT

– D

orse

t Wild

life

Trus

tE

A –

Env

ironm

ent A

genc

yE

N –

Eng

lish

Nat

ure

LA’s

– L

ocal

Aut

horit

ies

RS

PB

– R

oyal

Soc

iety

for

the

Pro

tect

ion

of B

irds

COA

STA

L A

ND

FLO

OD

PLA

IN G

RAZI

NG

MA

RSH

2.4.2 CHALK STREAMSNational Lead Partner: Environment Agency

Habitat description

The chalk stream habitat consists of the watercourse itself and the immediate surrounding land, orriparian zone. This definition allows for overlap with habitat plans for other closely associated habitats,such as wet woodland.

Dorset contains a significant amount of the national resource and nationally important examples ofchalk streams and winterbournes. Chalk streams are flowing water courses, and in their natural statethey are dynamic systems, continually modifying their form. In many cases their ability to functionnaturally and to create new habitat has been reduced by historical management, flood protectionschemes etc. Chalk streams are intensively used to convey flood water and discharges, to providewater for public, agricultural and industrial use and are a popular recreational resource.

In Dorset chalk streams are often indicated by an abundance of Stream Water crowfoot Ranunculuspenicillatus var. pseudofluitans. They provide valuable habitat for migratory fish, otter and white-clawedcrayfish.

Due to the complexity of issues affecting them co-ordinated action is vital to ensure that their wildlifevalue is conserved and enhanced.

Specific Impacts

● Degraded channel morphology.

● Fisheries.

● Non-native species.

● Weed cutting.

● Lack of knowledge of winterbournes.

● Lack of understanding of status and requirements of key species.

● Lack of public awareness of issues affecting chalk streams.

Natural Area Targets: See Appendix D 63

Objectives

1 Maintain and enhance the characteristic biological diversity and natural features of allchalk rivers and streams, including their winterbourne stretches.

2 Restore to a favourable condition chalk rivers which have been adversely affected byphysical modification.

3 Maintain existing water quality in all chalk rivers and streams and improve where possible.

4 Continue to conduct research and monitoring which will improve our knowledge andunderstanding of chalk rivers and associated key species.

5. Provide opportunities for education, access and awareness raising initiatives atappropriate riverside sites.

Key at Appendix C








Local rarity Scarce

Potential to extend/ link habitat fragments Low (intrinsically linked)














Otte

r by

Ian

And

erso

n

64

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

For

gen

eric

issu

es a

ffect

ing

this

and

oth

er a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e P

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

for A

gric

ultu

re

Man

agem

ent

Deg

rade

d ch

anne

lLo

calis

ed r

esto

ratio

n ad

vice

thro

ugh

Riv

erD

emon

stra

tion

even

ts h

ave

been

hel

d on

the

1. B

uild

ing

on c

urre

nt a

ctiv

ity, s

et u

p de

mon

stra

tion

DW

T, E

Am

orph

olog

y an

d ha

bita

tan

d W

etla

nds

Pro

ject

and

Env

ironm

ent

Pid

dle

and

Cer

ne. N

o ev

alua

tion

has

been

site

s fo

r re

stor

atio

n w

orks

and

eva

luat

e th

eir

degr

adat

ion

Age

ncy

(EA

).un

dert

aken

on

thei

r ef

fect

.ef

fect

iven

ess.

Geo

mor

phol

ogy

stud

y on

Avo

n cu

rren

tlyA

wai

t res

ults

prio

r to

impl

emen

tatio

n2.

Con

side

r un

dert

akin

g a

geom

orph

olog

ical

aud

it of

all

EA

, EN

bein

g co

mpl

eted

chal

k st

ream

s to

ass

ess

degr

adat

ion,

and

prio

ritis

ere

stor

atio

n w

orks

dep

ende

nt o

n re

com

men

datio

nsof

the

Avo

n st

udy.

Res

tora

tion

and

man

agem

ent p

roje

cts

inG

ood

liais

on w

ith a

ran

ge o

f fis

hing

org

anis

atio

ns.

3. B

uild

on

curr

ent l

iais

on w

ork

to in

crea

se th

e nu

mbe

rE

A, E

N, L

A’s

,as

soci

atio

n w

ith fi

sher

ies

Larg

e nu

mbe

r of

ben

efic

ial s

chem

es, b

ut a

lack

of

of p

artn

ersh

ip p

roje

cts

DW

Tre

sour

ces

for

impl

emen

tatio

n

Sm

all-s

cale

res

tora

tion

proj

ects

on

Alle

n,E

ffect

ive,

but

lim

ited

by r

esou

rces

4. Im

plem

ent a

wid

er s

cale

res

tora

tion

proj

ect t

arge

ting

EA

, LA

,’sF

rom

e an

d A

von.

EN

gra

nt a

id a

vaila

ble

the

Fro

me,

Avo

n an

d A

llen.

Inve

stig

ate

cost

DW

Ton

SS

SIs

effe

ctiv

e m

etho

ds.

Mos

t flo

od d

efen

ce w

orks

scr

eene

d fo

rF

lood

def

ence

wor

ks b

y lo

cal a

utho

ritie

s ar

e no

t 5.

LA

s to

see

k ad

vice

on

biod

iver

sity

impa

cts

of fl

ood

EA

, LA

’s

impa

cts

on b

iodi

vers

ity b

y E

Asc

reen

ed b

y E

A. M

ore

oppo

rtun

ities

for

defe

nce

wor

ks a

nd im

plem

ent a

dvic

e gi

ven

enha

ncem

ent o

f bio

dive

rsity

sho

uld

be s

ough

t6.

Hol

d se

min

ars

to r

aise

aw

aren

ess

of b

est p

ract

ice

for

EA

, DW

T, E

NE

U L

IFE

Pro

ject

– P

repa

ratio

n of

Com

plet

e. B

id in

pro

gres

s (n

amed

AF

TE

RLI

FE

)se

nsiti

ve la

nd d

rain

age

wor

ks.

cons

erva

tion

stra

tegy

for

the

Riv

er A

von

to g

ain

reso

urce

s to

impl

emen

t str

ateg

y7.

Lin

k w

ith ta

rget

are

a fo

r C

ount

rysi

de S

tew

ards

hip

EA

rest

orat

ion

Fis

herie

sN

atio

nal T

rout

and

Gra

ylin

g S

trat

egy

Will

be

impl

emen

ted

from

200

3

Non

-nat

ive

spec

ies

EA

Sou

th W

esse

x C

rayf

ish

stra

tegy

EA

look

ing

at fu

ndin

g po

ssib

ilitie

s8.

EA

to p

rogr

ess

EA

deve

lope

d

Wee

d cu

tting

Rev

iew

of w

eedc

uttin

g on

Fro

me,

EA

/ EN

pro

gres

sing

9. C

ompl

ete

revi

ew a

nd im

plem

ent,

incl

udin

g m

onito

ring

EA

, EN

Pid

dle

and

Avo

nof

futu

re w

orks

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Lack

of k

now

ledg

eN

one

10. S

tart

res

earc

h on

sta

tus

and

exte

nt o

f win

terb

ourn

esE

A, E

Nof

win

terb

ourn

esto

det

erm

ine

cons

erva

tion

valu

e an

d ap

prop

riate

m

anag

emen

t

Lack

of u

nder

stan

ding

of

EU

LIF

E P

roje

ct in

vest

igat

ing

spec

ies

Ong

oing

11. A

pply

res

ults

whe

n kn

own

EA

stat

us a

nd r

equi

rem

ents

wat

er q

ualit

y re

quire

men

ts.

of k

ey s

peci

es

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

CHA

LK S

TREA

MS

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

co

nt

. . .

Lack

of u

nder

stan

ding

of

Som

e su

rvey

wor

k to

det

erm

ine

loca

tions

No

stra

tegi

c ev

alua

tion

of g

aps

in k

now

ledg

e12

. See

act

ion

27 in

Pro

gram

me

of A

ctio

n fo

r st

atus

and

req

uire

men

tsof

key

spe

cies

.F

resh

wat

er M

anag

emen

tof

key

spe

cies

con

t . .

.LO

CA

R r

esea

rch

on F

rom

e an

d P

iddl

eP

rodu

cing

info

rmat

ion

13. A

pply

res

ults

whe

re k

now

nE

A, E

N

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

rais

ing

Lack

of a

war

enes

sE

A in

volv

ed in

Com

mun

ity a

ctio

n pr

ojec

tsE

ffect

ive

whe

re p

roje

ct h

as b

een

requ

este

d14

. Kee

p in

pla

ce fr

amew

ork

EA

to p

rom

ote

chal

k st

ream

s (m

anag

emen

tfr

om c

omm

unity

and

awar

enes

s)

Livi

ng s

trea

ms

pack

dev

elop

ed b

y D

orse

tU

sed

spor

adic

ally

.15

. Upd

ate

the

Livi

ng S

trea

ms

Pac

k fo

r us

e by

the

Bou

rne

Bio

dive

rsity

Initi

ativ

e fo

r us

e by

com

mun

ityB

ourn

e S

trea

m In

itiat

ive

Str

eam

grou

ps.

Initi

ativ

e

Wes

t Dor

set D

istr

ict C

ounc

il D

orse

t Dow

nsP

rogr

essi

ng.

16. I

nteg

rate

bio

dive

rsity

aw

aren

ess

into

pro

ject

EA

, WD

DC

and

Val

leys

Pro

ject

.

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

DW

T –

Dor

set W

ildlif

e Tr

ust

EN

– E

nglis

h N

atur

eE

A –

Env

ironm

ent A

genc

yLA

s –

Loca

l Aut

horit

ies

WD

DC

– W

est D

orse

t Dis

tric

t Cou

ncil

65

CHA

LK S

TREA

MS

2.4.3 REEDBEDS National Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

Reedbeds are wetlands dominated by, but not necessarily composed purely of, stands of the commonreed Phragmites australis. It includes areas of reeds that are both in freshwater and brackish waterhabitats.

Nationally, reedbeds are a rare habitat, and this is reflected in Dorset. But despite its scarcity Dorset’sreedbeds are important for many scarce invertebrates, and several uncommon birds.

Ownership of reedbeds is largely sympathetic to the conservation of this habitat in Dorset.

Specific Impacts

● Lack of appropriate management (e.g. siltation/ deer grazing).

● Water levels.

● Lack of information on resource.


66

Objectives

1 Maintain the extent and quality of existing reedbed habitats.

2 To ensure that all important sites are managed primarily for their nature conservation interest.

3 To ensure existing reedbed is linked to other semi-natural habitats.



Key at Appendix C








Local rarity Rare















Con

serv

atio

n vo

lunt

eers

by

Gra

ham

Hat

herle

y

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

For

gen

eric

issu

es a

ffect

ing

this

and

oth

er a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e P

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

for A

gric

ultu

re

Man

agem

ent

Lack

of/

appr

opria

teR

eedb

ed g

roup

in P

urbe

ck c

arrie

d ou

tG

ood

wor

k. M

anag

emen

t rec

omm

enda

tions

yet

1. P

urbe

ck R

eedb

ed G

roup

to c

ontin

ue to

mee

t to

Poo

le H

arbo

urm

anag

emen

t (e.

g. s

iltat

ion/

surv

ey a

nd m

anag

emen

tto

be

impl

emen

ted.

ensu

re p

rogr

essi

on o

f rec

omm

enda

tions

. Act

ions

toS

tudy

Grp

,de

er g

razi

ng)

reco

mm

enda

tions

thro

ugh

Poo

le H

arbo

urin

clud

e m

anag

emen

t pat

hfin

der

mee

ting

for

owne

rs a

ndF

leet

Stu

dy G

rp,

Stu

dy G

roup

.m

anag

ers

in P

oole

Har

bour

.P

urbe

ck B

AP

Pro

ject

,R

adip

ole

Lake

and

Lod

moo

r ar

e pa

rt o

fLI

FE

wor

ks w

ill s

igni

fican

tly im

prov

e th

e qu

ality

of

RS

PB

, Ilc

hest

ersu

cces

sful

Bitt

ern

LIF

E B

id. W

orks

will

15 h

a re

edbe

d w

ithin

Rad

ipol

e La

ke a

nd s

ubje

ctE

stat

esin

volv

e en

hanc

ing

exis

ting

reed

beds

by

to le

ase

a fu

rthe

r 3h

a at

Lod

moo

r.re

mov

ing

exce

ss s

edim

ent b

uild

up.

Lodm

oor

reed

bed

enha

ncem

ent /

cre

atio

n.S

ucce

ssfu

l cre

atio

n of

an

addi

tiona

l 13

ha o

f new

conn

ectin

g re

edbe

d w

ith o

pen

pool

s.

Pre

para

tion

of a

Cou

ntry

side

Ste

war

dshi

pG

ood

- w

ill p

rovi

de lo

ng te

rm p

ositi

ve10

yea

r m

anag

emen

t pla

n fo

r th

em

anag

emen

t for

the

Abb

otsb

ury

Ree

dbed

sA

bbot

sbur

y R

eedb

eds.

App

licat

ion

by th

eIlc

hest

er E

stat

es.

Mos

t ree

dbed

s in

the

coun

ty a

re c

over

edby

sta

tuto

ry d

esig

natio

n, in

clud

ing

Abb

otsb

ury,

Chr

istc

hurc

h H

arbo

ur,

Lodm

oor,

Poo

le H

arbo

ur, R

adip

ole

and

Wes

t Bex

ingt

on.

Poo

le H

arbo

ur S

ika

deer

pop

ulat

ion

Too

early

to a

sses

s.R

SP

B, E

N, N

Tst

udie

s pl

anne

d fo

r 20

03B

ourn

emou

thU

nive

rsity

Wat

er L

evel

sW

LMP

com

plet

ed fo

r R

adip

ole

Lake

and

Rad

ipol

e La

ke W

LMP

has

pro

vide

d cl

ear

2. E

nsur

e co

mpl

etio

n an

d su

cces

sful

impl

emen

tatio

nE

N, R

SP

B,

in p

repa

ratio

n fo

r Lo

dmoo

r.pr

escr

iptio

ns /

requ

irem

ents

for

the

of L

odm

oor

WLM

P. M

aint

ain

good

com

mun

icat

ion

W&

PB

Cm

anag

emen

t of t

he s

ite’s

wat

er le

vels

. Suc

cess

ful

links

bet

wee

n th

e si

te m

anag

ers

and

oper

atin

gim

plem

enta

tion

will

ulti

mat

ely

dete

rmin

e su

cces

s.au

thor

ity.

Wes

t Bex

ingt

on s

luic

e no

w fu

nded

,to

be

inst

alle

d 20

02.

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Lack

of i

nfor

mat

ion

Poo

le H

arbo

ur s

urve

yO

nly

cove

rs r

eedb

eds

in th

at a

rea

3. E

xpan

d P

urbe

ck r

eedb

ed g

roup

to c

over

all

reed

beds

Dor

set B

iodi

vers

-in

cou

nty,

for

the

purp

ose

of a

sses

sing

sta

tus

and

ity P

artn

ersh

ip

man

agem

ent r

equi

rem

ents

Pur

beck

BA

P,(c

ontin

ued

over

leaf

)R

SP

B

67

REED

BED

S

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t Act

ion

Eva

luat

ion

Rec

om

men

ded

act

ion

par

tner

s

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

rais

ing

Pro

duct

ion

of P

oole

Har

bour

Goo

d, h

owev

er c

ircul

atio

n ha

s to

dat

e4.

Pla

ce le

afle

t on

Poo

le H

arbo

ur S

tudy

Gro

upP

oole

Har

bour

Ree

dbed

leaf

let

been

lim

ited.

web

site

. Circ

ulat

e le

afle

ts to

par

tner

org

anis

atio

ns.

Stu

dy G

roup

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

EN

–E

nglis

h N

atur

eN

T –

Nat

iona

l Tru

stR

SP

B –

Roy

al S

ocie

ty fo

r th

e P

rote

ctio

n of

Bird

s

68

REED

BED

S

69

2.4.4 FENS National Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

Fens are rare in Dorset. They are formed over peaty soil that receive calcareous groundwater. Two maintypes are present: those formed in floodplains and those formed around seepages and alongspringlines.

Within SSSIs and SNCIs there is an estimated 40 ha of fen in Dorset, which accounts for most of thecounty’s resource. Individual fens are small and scattered and usually occur within or on the peripheryof other habitats of nature conservation value, including heathland, neutral grassland and wetwoodland.

Many of the fens within the Dorset Heath Natural Area can be accommodated within the managementof the larger heathland areas. Other areas of fen exist in river valleys and are an important element forconsideration in river management strategies. There also remain a few important fen habitats within theagricultural landscape where conservation effort needs to be specifically targeted.

Specific Impacts

● Over-abstraction of ground water.

● Lack of, or inappropriate management due to isolation.

● Perceived value of fens as a ‘wet and wasteful patch’ within the farm.


Objectives

1 Maintain the extent and quality of existing fen habitat.

2 Restore degraded fens, and encourage their management as an integral unit of thesurrounding land.

3 Encourage the re-creation of fen habitat, preferably abutting important fen sites, andwithin its hydrological unit.



Key at Appendix C







Local threat Direct

Local rarity Rare


Survey priority Medium(to update existing audit)













70

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

For

gen

eric

issu

es a

ffect

ing

this

and

oth

er a

gric

ultu

ral h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e P

rogr

amm

e of

Act

ion

for A

gric

ultu

re

Man

agem

ent

Ove

r-ab

stra

ctio

n of

Env

ironm

ent A

genc

y R

egio

nal S

usta

inab

leP

rogr

essi

nggr

ound

wat

erA

bstr

actio

n P

rogr

amm

e (R

SA

P)

sche

mes

bein

g im

plem

ente

d to

pro

tect

key

fen

site

s.

Oth

er a

ctio

ns a

s fo

r ch

alk

stre

ams?

Lack

of,

or in

appr

opria

teA

gri-e

nviro

nmen

t sch

emes

Fen

s ne

ed to

be

man

aged

as

an in

tegr

al p

art o

fm

anag

emen

t due

to is

olat

ion

thei

r su

rrou

ndin

gs. T

his

is n

ot a

lway

s po

ssib

leth

roug

h ag

ri-en

viro

nmen

t sch

emes

. Agr

i-en

viro

nmen

t rev

iew

may

hel

p.

DE

RC

Fen

Inve

ntor

y an

d A

udit

lists

all

EN

and

DW

T S

NC

I Pro

ject

are

usi

ng th

is1.

Wet

land

gro

up to

ass

ess

furt

her

prio

ritie

s fo

rW

etla

nd B

AP

fens

and

thei

r st

atus

info

rmat

ion

to ta

rget

man

agem

ent a

dvic

eac

tion

(res

tora

tion/

rec

reat

ion)

from

DE

RC

Gro

upfe

n au

dit a

nd im

plem

ent o

n pr

iorit

y si

tes

Dor

set G

razi

ng A

nim

als

Pro

ject

s se

t up

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

DE

RC

Fen

Inve

ntor

y an

d A

udit

lists

all

2. M

onito

r al

l fen

site

s re

gula

rly to

che

ck c

ondi

tion.

DW

T, E

Nfe

ns a

nd th

eir

stat

us

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

rais

ing

Per

ceiv

ed v

alue

of f

ens

asA

dvic

e on

nat

ure

cons

erva

tion

valu

e an

da

‘wet

and

was

tefu

l pat

ch ‘

pote

ntia

l agr

i-env

ironm

ent p

aym

ents

with

in th

e fa

rmpr

ovid

ed b

y va

rious

land

man

agem

ent

advi

sors

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

DW

T –

Dor

set W

ildlif

e Tr

ust

EN

–E

nglis

h N

atur

eFEN

S

MA

RIN

E A

ND

CO

AST

AL

ISSU

ES

2.5 TOPIC ACTION PLAN:Marine and Coastal Issues

71

Saw

wra

ck b

y B

ridge

t B

etts

IntroductionThe coastline and marine waters of Dorset support a wealth of wildlife including 16 UK priority BAPhabitats. The coastline is also of global geological importance and is a World Heritage Site. While thehabitats on land are well documented and protected, the marine habitats and wildlife are generallymore poorly understood, and there are fewer protected sites.

The effects of exploitation of the marine environment, through fishing, energy exploration, pollution,shipping and recreation are only now beginning to be fully realised. There is mounting evidence thatincreasing pressures from human activities have led to significant modification of some habitats andchanges in the distribution of some species.

Because of the complexity of the human and natural interactions in the coastal and marineenvironment, their management has been supported in Dorset by the Dorset Coast Forum, and waspart of the ‘EU Demonstration Programme on Integrated Management in Coastal Zones 1997-1999’.

The agriculture and freshwater management sectors impact on coastal and marine habitats throughtheir influence on water quality. In addition maritime biodiversity is affected by issues outside UKjurisdiction, such as climate change and the EC Common Fisheries Policy. These issues will require UKinput into international mechanisms.

A Vision for the coasts and seas of Dorset (from the ‘England Biodiversity Strategy’,DEFRA 2002.)

‘A biologically diverse sea and coastline which reconciles human needs with the conservation andrestoration of semi-natural habitats as far as possible through natural processes’.

Aims

● To maintain and promote the recovery of the biodiversity of the sea and coast.

● The inclusion of biodiversity conservation into the activities of all those involved in coastal and marine use and development.

Impacts

● Water quality – diffuse and point source pollution.

● Impact of commercial fishing.

● Loss and fragmentation of habitat due to development, agricultural improvement, sea level rise.

● Loss of habitat and change in natural coastal process due to inappropriate coastal defence.

● Invasive species.

● Change in marine fauna induced by climate change.

● Lack of knowledge on the extent and quality of habitats.

● No current highly protected areas.

● Lack of public awareness of marine and coastal issues.


Headline Indicators

● Condition of coastal SSSIs, SNCIs and Natura 2000 sites

● Progress towards Dorset priority habitat targets (to be determined)

● Populations of marine and coastal birds

● Others to be determined

72

MA

RIN

E A

ND

CO

AST

AL

ISSU

ES

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

Po

licy

and

leg

isla

tio

n

Wat

er q

ualit

y –

The

nee

d fo

r a

‘Lan

dcar

e P

roje

ct’ o

n th

eP

rogr

ess

awai

ting

the

Avo

n La

ndca

re p

roje

ct.

1. A

wai

t rol

lout

of w

ider

Lan

dcar

e P

roje

ct –

ref

er to

diffu

se p

ollu

tion

Fle

et a

nd R

iver

Wey

has

bee

nLe

sson

s w

ill b

e le

arnt

and

then

rol

led

out a

cros

sfr

eshw

ater

man

agem

ent t

able

esta

blis

hed

thes

e ot

her

site

s. (

long

term

)2.

Iden

tify

othe

r co

asta

l are

as (

espe

cial

ly b

uffe

r zo

nes)

JDM

Cth

at w

ould

ben

efit

from

this

app

roac

h, a

nd

EN

seek

fund

ing.

3.E

nsur

e D

orse

t inv

olve

men

t with

CY

CLO

NE

pro

ject

E

N, W

ildlif

eif

fund

ed (

a pr

ojec

t inc

ludi

ng a

n in

vest

igat

ion

trus

ts, E

Ain

to th

e fa

te o

f diff

use

pollu

tion.

)

Sus

tain

able

urb

an d

rain

age

syst

ems

See

Fre

shw

ater

Man

agem

ent S

ectio

nS

ee F

resh

wat

er M

anag

emen

t Sec

tion

(SU

DS

)(W

ater

qua

lity

– di

ffuse

pol

lutio

n)(W

ater

qua

lity

– di

ffuse

pol

lutio

n)

Poo

le H

arbo

ur a

nd th

e F

leet

are

See

Fre

shw

ater

Man

agem

ent S

ectio

nS

ee F

resh

wat

er M

anag

emen

t Sec

tion

desi

gnat

ed N

itrat

e V

ulne

rabl

e(W

ater

qua

lity

– di

ffuse

pol

lutio

n)(W

ater

qua

lity

– di

ffuse

pol

lutio

n)

Zon

es

Wat

er q

ualit

y –

Rev

iew

of d

isch

arge

con

sent

s th

at m

ayO

nly

cove

rs h

abita

ts th

at a

re w

ithin

Eur

opea

n4.

Con

tinue

to p

rogr

ess

to s

tage

s 3

and

4E

N,E

Apo

int s

ourc

e po

llutio

naf

fect

Eur

opea

n pr

otec

ted

site

s. S

tage

s 1

prot

ecte

d si

tes

conc

entr

atin

g on

prio

rity

site

s fir

st.

and

2 co

mpl

ete

Wat

er C

ompa

nies

‘cle

an u

p’ m

easu

res

See

Fre

shw

ater

Man

agem

ent S

ectio

n –

See

Fre

shw

ater

Man

agem

ent S

ectio

nE

N,E

Aas

a r

esul

t of A

sset

Man

agem

ent P

lans

(Wat

er Q

ualit

y –

poin

t sou

rce

pollu

tion)

(Wat

er Q

ualit

y –

poin

t sou

rce

pollu

tion)

(AM

Ps)

Pol

lutio

n co

ntin

genc

y pl

ans

taki

ngG

ood

wor

k un

dert

aken

on

cont

inge

ncy

5.In

vest

igat

e th

e im

pact

of p

ollu

tion

spill

s on

offs

hore

Dor

set

acco

unt o

f sen

sitiv

e m

arin

e ha

bita

tspl

ans

led

by D

orse

t Cou

nty

Cou

ncil

but f

ocus

esm

arin

e ha

bita

ts e

spec

ially

with

reg

ard

toE

nviro

nmen

ton

the

coas

t and

insh

ore.

disp

ersa

nt u

se.

Gro

up

Impa

ct o

f com

mer

cial

JDM

C s

uppo

rtin

g th

e 6-

12 m

ile li

mit

in6.

Fur

ther

inve

stig

ate

the

idea

of i

dent

ifyin

g m

arin

e JD

MC

fishi

ngR

evie

w o

f Com

mon

Fis

herie

s P

olic

y by

prot

ecte

d ar

eas,

and

tria

l a p

ilot s

tudy

lobb

ying

and

res

pond

ing

toco

nsul

tatio

ns

Inte

grat

ion

of b

iodi

vers

ity c

once

rns

into

fish

erie

s po

licie

s -

Sea

fish

erie

s co

mm

ittee

s,Ly

me

Bay

ree

f pro

ject

Reg

ulat

ion

of m

aric

ultu

re th

roug

h se

aLa

ck o

f und

erst

andi

ng o

f the

impa

ct o

f7.

Use

JD

MC

dat

abas

e to

rev

iew

lite

ratu

re o

n JD

MC

fishe

ries

com

mitt

eem

aric

ultu

re o

n th

e m

arin

e en

viro

nmen

tth

is a

rea

and

find

out a

bout

sus

tain

able

mar

icul

ture

stra

tegi

es in

oth

er c

ount

ies.

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

73

MA

RIN

E A

ND

CO

AST

AL

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

ctio

np

artn

ers

Man

agem

ent

Loss

and

frag

men

tatio

n of

Pro

tect

ive

polic

ies

for

exis

ting

habi

tat

Con

sulte

e ad

vice

(eg

EA

/EN

/DW

T)

8.S

eek

incl

usio

n of

a ‘b

iodi

vers

ity p

olic

y’ in

the

revi

sion

Dor

set C

oast

habi

tat t

hrou

gh d

evel

opm

ent

eg s

tatu

tory

des

igna

ted

site

s, lo

cal

not a

lway

s ta

ken.

of lo

cal a

utho

rity

stra

tegi

es a

nd p

olic

ies.

For

umde

velo

pmen

t con

trol

pro

cess

.N

o st

rate

gic

appr

oach

to b

iodi

vers

ity9.

Whe

re th

ere

are

gaps

set

up

and

wor

k w

ith w

orki

ngE

urop

ean

Mar

ine

enha

ncem

ent.

(Poo

le H

arbo

ur S

teer

ing

grou

ps a

t an

appr

opria

te le

vel (

eg H

arbo

ur o

r D

istr

ict

Site

s st

eerin

gG

roup

pro

vide

s a

fram

ewor

k fo

r co

ordi

natio

n)co

unci

l lev

el)

to id

entif

y st

rate

gic

oppo

rtun

ities

for

grou

ps,

reve

rsin

g fr

agm

enta

tion

and

isol

atio

n of

coa

stal

harb

our

grou

psha

bita

ts

10.S

eek

biod

iver

sity

enh

ance

men

t thr

ough

Wor

ldD

orse

t Cou

nty

Her

itage

Site

man

agem

ent p

lan

(eg

cliff

top

gras

slan

d)C

ounc

il

Con

serv

atio

n bo

dies

not

alw

ays

cons

ulte

d on

11.E

nsur

e S

SS

I con

sulta

tion

area

s se

nt to

loca

lE

Nde

velo

pmen

t tha

t may

impe

de th

e la

ndw

ard

auth

oriti

es a

re a

ppro

pria

te.

tr

ansi

tion

of h

abita

ts.

12.S

eek

incl

usio

n of

a p

olic

y fo

r al

low

ing

coas

tal

LPA

’spr

oces

ses

to o

ccur

uni

mpe

ded

thro

ugh

loca

l pla

nnin

g au

thor

ities

Loss

due

to a

gric

ultu

ral

Cou

ntry

side

Ste

war

dshi

p S

chem

e of

fers

Lim

itatio

ns to

bio

dive

rsity

thro

ugh

agric

ultu

ral

13.In

crea

se a

war

enes

s of

farm

ers

of C

SS

and

how

FW

AG

,im

prov

emen

tpa

ymen

ts to

man

age

for

wild

life�

on c

liff

supp

ort f

ram

ewor

k. H

abita

t los

s, fr

agm

enta

tion

chan

ge in

farm

ing

prac

tises

can

lead

to in

crea

ses

inLa

ndow

ner

top,

san

d du

ne a

nd in

tert

idal

hab

itats

.an

d ch

ange

attr

ibut

ed to

agr

icul

tura

lbi

odiv

ersi

ty th

roug

h La

ndow

ner

liaso

n po

sts.

liaso

n po

sts,

inte

nsifi

catio

n st

ill o

ccur

ring

NT

Land

owne

r lia

ison

Offi

cers

offe

r ad

vice

Land

owne

r lia

ison

is s

ucce

ssfu

l, bu

t sec

urin

g14

.All

fund

ing/

pote

ntia

l fun

ding

par

tner

s to

rev

iew

an

d he

lp w

ith g

rant

app

licat

ions

for

fund

ing

for

post

s is

a c

halle

nge

and

post

s ar

ere

sour

ces

for

advi

sory

pos

tsm

anag

emen

t, re

stor

atio

n an

d re

-cre

atio

nof

ten

too

shor

t ter

m.

of h

abita

ts, i

nclu

ding

coa

stal

hab

itats

(eg

Fle

et &

Wey

Cat

chm

ent p

roje

ct)

Loss

of h

abita

t and

Pla

nnin

g co

nsul

tatio

n pr

oces

sC

onfli

cts

of in

tere

sts

eg h

igh

prop

erty

val

ues

15.In

crea

se th

e aw

aren

ess

of c

oast

al e

ngin

eers

toE

Nch

ange

in n

atur

al c

oast

alan

d na

ture

con

serv

atio

n de

sign

atio

nsbi

odiv

ersi

ty is

sues

, e.g

. pre

sent

atio

ns to

coa

stal

proc

esse

s du

e to

Bio

dive

rsity

con

side

red

in c

oast

alen

gine

erin

g gr

oups

and

fact

shee

tsin

appr

opria

te c

oast

alst

rate

gies

and

Sho

relin

e M

anag

emen

tA

dver

se im

pact

of p

ast c

oast

al p

rote

ctio

nde

fenc

eP

lans

mea

sure

s16

.Rem

ove

old

coas

tal d

efen

ces

(e.g

. deb

ris le

fton

the

fore

shor

e).

Inva

sive

spe

cies

Som

e m

onito

ring

unde

rtak

en w

ithin

Mon

itorin

g no

t und

erta

ken

in o

ther

are

as w

here

17.E

xten

d su

rvey

s of

spe

cies

that

pot

entia

lly m

ayJD

MC

Eur

opea

n m

arin

e si

tes

ther

e m

ay b

e co

nflic

t with

prio

rity

habi

tats

.ad

vers

ely

affe

ct n

ativ

e sp

ecie

s.

Est

ablis

hed

inva

sive

spe

cies

wou

ld b

e18

.Cam

paig

n to

con

trol

the

spre

ad o

f new

ly in

trod

uced

JDM

Cpr

ohib

itive

ly e

xpen

sive

to r

emov

ein

vasi

ve s

peci

es e

g �

��

� b

y as

king

reg

ular

user

s eg

fish

erm

an, d

iver

s to

sen

d re

cord

s(c

ontin

ued

over

leaf

)of

sig

htin

gs to

DE

RC

.

74

MA

RIN

E A

ND

CO

AST

AL

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

Man

agem

ent

con

t . .

.

Loss

of h

abita

t thr

ough

Som

e m

odel

ling

unde

rtak

en to

pre

dict

Lim

ited

by u

ncer

tain

ty a

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ore

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es

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agem

ent P

lans

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ay a

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tchu

rch

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stal

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ateg

y)20

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k op

port

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l ret

reat

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oast

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r lo

sses

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nter

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itats

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tegi

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ded

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lish

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ies

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tats

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l par

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ribut

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ing

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ate

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ge23

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e a

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ting

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me

to fe

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to th

eJD

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aps

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e vi

sual

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nit

ori

ng

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e on

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bed

map

ping

of t

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d25

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up

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her

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onito

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ram

mes

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lity

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habi

tats

Sur

veys

for

prio

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spec

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incl

udin

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ess

of r

ecre

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gras

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abel

laria

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RC

.N

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th W

est p

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ine

habi

tats

dig

itally

27.F

urth

er r

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rch

into

the

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equi

rem

ents

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dy G

roup

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ts a

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pact

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uman

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iviti

es

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curr

ent h

ighl

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28.P

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ote

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ifica

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ider

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entif

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prot

ecte

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ery

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29.S

ecur

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ng te

rm fu

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d pr

omot

e th

e da

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of is

sues

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ssib

le in

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atio

nas

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lann

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. Est

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h re

gula

r up

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s fo

r w

ide

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ribut

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to r

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ator

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d th

e pu

blic

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ser

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p in

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emen

t (eg

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d to

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e be

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links

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cal c

omm

unity

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phin

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ch)

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influ

ence

loca

l beh

avio

ur30

.Ens

ure

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pata

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ith J

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arin

e R

ecor

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ter

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rec

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31.B

ette

r di

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inat

ion

to r

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ders

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C(c

ontin

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over

leaf

)

75

MA

RIN

E A

ND

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AST

AL

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

76

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

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rren

t ac

tio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed a

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ion

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ities

-(s

ee p

revi

ous

page

)32

. Pro

duce

bio

dive

rsity

fact

shee

ts o

f whe

re h

abita

ts

(see

pre

viou

s of

issu

ese.

g. D

emon

stra

tion

stan

ds a

t Wey

mou

thar

e an

d th

eir

sens

itivi

tes

for

regu

lato

rs (

eg c

oast

al

page

)fis

h fe

stiv

al /

Inno

vativ

e id

eas

to ‘s

prea

den

gine

ers,

Loc

al P

lann

ing

Aut

horit

ies)

and

the

publ

ic.

the

mes

sage

’ (eg

fish

& c

hip

wra

pper

,se

afoo

d co

ok b

ook

etc)

Coa

stlin

k ce

ntre

s

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ine

awar

enes

s of

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act

iviti

eseg

roc

kpoo

l ram

bles

Pre

pare

d in

con

sulta

tion

with

the

Dor

set J

oint

Dor

set M

arin

e C

omm

ittee

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

DW

T –

Dor

set W

ildlif

e Tr

ust

EA

–E

nviro

nmen

t Age

ncy

EN

–E

nglis

h N

atur

eF

WA

G –

Far

min

g an

d W

ildlif

e A

dvis

ory

Gro

upJD

MC

– J

oint

Dor

set M

arin

e C

omm

ittee

LPA

’s –

Loc

al P

lann

ing

Aut

horit

ies

NT-

Nat

iona

l Tru

stS

SF

C –

Sou

ther

n S

eas

Fis

herie

s C

omm

ittee

MA

RIN

E A

ND

CO

AST

AL

MA

NA

GEM

ENT

Habitat Objectives:

1 Maintain the extent and quality of the existing resource.

2 Increase the extent of eroding cliffs over time, by allowing natural proceses of cliff mobilityto continue.

3 Restore natural vegetation where possible, i.e through removal of non-native species.

4 Increase and link areas of clifftop semi-natural habitats.

5 Continue to survey and monitor to improve our knowledge of the habitat.

6 Raise awareness of the wildlife value of the habitat.

Habitat Objectives:


2 Restore dune grassland and heaths that are degraded.



2.5.1 GROUP STATEMENT FOR COASTAL HABITATS

N.B. For habitat status information see table 5For Natural Area targets see Appendix D.

Maritime cliff and slopeNational Lead Partner: Countryside Council for Wales

Habitat description

The cliffs and undercliffs of Dorset’s coastline comprise soft and hard cliffs. They vary between massivevegetated land slips, high chalk cliffs and pinnacles, grey shales and clays, and sheer limestone facesand ledges.

The habitats that develop on the cliffs and slopes are varied, and some of the most natural anywhere inthe county. Cliff ledges provide important nesting sites for breeding colonies of birds; of particular noteare the guillemot and puffin colonies on Durlston ledges.There is a high proportion of bare groundcompared with other habitats, which is utilised by many specialised plant and invertebrate species.Other habitats include maritime grassland, flushes, scrub and supralittoral rock.

The coastal cliffs expose a complete section through the upper Jurassic to Cretaceous rocksuccession, which has earned the site World Heritage status.

Coastal Sand dunesNational Lead Partner: Scottish Natural Heritage

Habitat description

Sand dunes are entirely a coastal phenomenon in Dorset. They comprise windblown sand formationsthat are both stable and shifting, and their associated slacks, grassland and scrub.

The only significant sand dunes in Dorset occur at Studland in Purbeck, which comprise approximately204 hectares of dune and associated habitat. This acidic dune system supports a large area of duneheath and is also the only dune system in south central England to support any dune wetland (i.e. openwater, mire, swamp, wet heath and wet woodland.

The habitat’s importance for invertebrates, reptiles (e.g. sand lizard, smooth snake) and vegetation isreflected in its designations as National Nature Reserve and candidate Special Area of Conservation.Relict dunes occur at Sandbanks, Hengistbury and Mudeford.

77

Littl

e te

rn b

y K

evin

Car

lson

Coastal Vegetated ShingleNational Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

Shingle is defined as sediment with particle sizes in the range 2-200mm. It is a globally restrictedcoastal sediment type with few occurrences outside north-west Europe, Japan and New Zealand.

Coastal vegetated shingle occurs widely around England’s coast, however, large shingle beacheswhere areas of shingle become stabilised and support vegetation are relatively few. Chesil Bank is onesuch exceptional shingle structure. It is an internationally important breeding ground for Little Terns,and shingle deposited above high water mark may become colonised by specialist vegetation. Smallareas of vegetated shingle also occur in Poole Harbour.

Sabellaria alveolata reefsNational Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

Sabellaria alveolata reefs are formed by the honeycomb worm Sabellaria alveolata, a polychaete whichconstructs tubes in tightly packed masses with a distinctive honeycomb–like appearance. Reefs aremainly found on the bottom third of the shore attached to a variety of hard or mixed substrates, with anadjacent area of sand for reef building. The reefs bind the underlying substrate, stabilising previouslymobile boulders and may increase the diversity of the site. The worm may form large reefs up toseveral metres across and a metre deep.

78

Habitat Objectives:


2 Encourage reinstatement of wetland vegetation on shingle sites (where appropriate), byscrub clearance and grazing.

3 Prevent, where possible, further exploitation of, or damage to, existing sites throughhuman activities, through visitor management.

4 Improve the condition of vegetated shingle structures that are degraded/damaged.



Habitat Objectives:


2 Survey to determine the full extent of the habitat.

3 Ensure water quality is sufficient to maintain habitat.

4 Re-establish/ restore sabellaria alveolata reefs where they were formerly present.



MudflatsNational Lead Partner: Environment Agency

Habitat description

Mudflats are intertidal, soft sediment habitats created by deposition of silts and clays in low energycoastal environments, such as estuaries. Characterised by high biological productivity and abundanceof organisms, they provide important feeding and resting areas for migrant and wintering wildfowl.Extensive intertidal mudflats occur in Poole Harbour, an internationally important site for wildfowl andwaders. Sea level rise presents a major threat to mudflats.

Coastal saltmarshNational Lead Partner: Environment Agency

Habitat description

Coastal saltmarshes comprise the upper, vegetated portions of intertidal mudflats, lying approximatelybetween mean high water neap tides and mean high water spring tides.

Saltmarshes are restricted to sheltered locations in estuaries, and the development of saltmarshvegetation is dependent on the presence of intertidal mudflats. They are an important resource forwading birds and wildfowl.

In Dorset by far the largest area of salt-marsh is found around Poole Harbour, with small stands presentby the Fleet, at Lodmoor and in Christchurch Harbour. Dorset has suffered less from salt-marshreclamation than other southern counties, and the upper salt-marsh zone with transitions to reedbed,woodland, mire and grassland is well represented.

Sheltered muddy gravelsNational Lead Partner: None

Habitat description

A coastal/marine habitat that can be subtidal and/or intertidal in nature and found in a variety ofsalinities. It consists of a variety of mixed sediments ranging from fine silt and mud to pebbles andcobbles.

79

Habitat Objectives:


2 Ensure water quality is sufficient to maintain habitat.



Habitat Objectives:


2 Restore areas of degraded saltmarsh through managed retreat where feasible.



Habitat Objectives:




Littoral ChalkNational Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

Littoral and sublittoral chalk is a geological habitat. It is relatively friable (crumbly) and easily eroded. InDorset this habitat occurs on coastlines formed of calcareous rock, including those areas of chalksubject to inundation by the tide.

In general littoral rock tends to be colonised by algae in wave-sheltered conditions, and by limpets,barnacles and mussels as wave-exposure increases. Chalk and limestone can support rock boringspecies. There is a distinct zonation of species down the shore that principally reflects the degree ofimmersion by the tide. Littoral rock areas in the south west also tend to be richer in species than similarhabitat in the north and east of Britain.

Littoral rock habitats are widespread around the UK, but vary in species richness depending ongeology and wave exposure.

Littoral and sublittoral chalk is represented by one UK Habitat Action Plan

Specific Impacts on coastal habitats

● Losing habitat to coastal squeeze.

● Impact of recreational activities.

● Debris from pleasure craft and fishing vessels.

● Dredging – removal of important sediment source from the system.

● Identifying and progressing sites for habitat re-creation.

● Monitoring changes in extent and quality of coastal habitat.

● The effects of estuary dynamics.

● The effects of grazing management.

● Extent, quality and loss/change of mudflat resource.

● Lack of understanding of sediment exchange processes.

● Awareness of the value of coastal habitats – flood defence, fisheries etc.

80

Habitat Objectives:

1 Seek to retain and where possible increase the existing extent of littoral (and sublittoral)chalk habitats unaffected by coastal defence and other engineering works.



81

UK

Pri

ori

ty h

abit

at

SA

C/S

PA in

tere

stfe

atu

re in

Do

rset

Imp

ort

ant

for

UK

BA

P s

pec

ies

Lo

cal d

eclin

e

Pro

po

rtio

n o

f U

Kh

abit

at in

Do

rset

Lo

cal t

hre

at

Lo

cal r

arit

y

Po

ten

tial

to

ext

end

/lin

k h

abit

at f

rag

men

ts

Su

rvey

pri

ori

tyFor key see Appendix C

Table 5 Coastal Habitat Status

Biodiversityhabitat

Maritime cliff ✓ ✓ ✓ Stable Modest Indirect & Scarce ✓ Mediumand slope Direct

Coastal ✓ ✓ ✓ Stable Significant Indirect Scarce N/A Mediumvegetated (mapshingle vegetated

Coastal sand ✓ ✓ ✓ Stable Modest Indirect Rare N/A Mediumdunes

Littoral chalk ✓ Unknown Unknown Indirect N/A N/A Medium& Direct

Sabellaria ✓ ✓ Unknown Unknown Indirect N/A N/A Mediumalveolata reefs & Direct

Coastal ✓ ✓ ✓ Stable Modest Indirect Rare N/A Mediumsaltmarsh (poole

Harbourdone)

Mudflats ✓ ✓ ✓ Unknown Modest Indirect N/A N/A Medium& Direct

Sheltered ✓ Unknown Unknown Indirect N/A N/A Highmuddygravels

82

Coa

stal

Sal

tmar

sh

S

abel

laria

alv

eola

ta r

eefs

C

oast

al v

eget

ated

shi

ngle

Mud

flats

Li

ttora

l cha

lk

M

ariti

me

cliff

and

slo

pe

She

ltere

d M

uddy

Gra

vels

S

and

dune

s

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t A

ctio

nE

valu

atio

nR

eco

mm

end

ed A

ctio

nP

artn

ers

For

furt

her

impa

cts

and

actio

ns a

ffect

ing

coas

tal h

abita

ts r

efer

to th

e M

arin

e an

d C

oast

al Is

sues

tabl

e

Po

licy

and

leg

isla

tio

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Losi

ng h

abita

t due

toS

hore

line

Man

agem

ent P

lans

1. E

nsur

e la

nd b

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d sa

ltmar

sh h

abita

t is

incl

uded

inE

Nco

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l squ

eeze

desi

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ite c

onsu

ltatio

n ar

eas

2. P

repa

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Coa

stal

Hab

itat M

anag

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t Pla

nE

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PS

) fo

r P

oole

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Man

agem

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Aqu

atic

Man

agem

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lan

3. R

evie

w h

ow r

ecre

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nal a

ctiv

ities

may

be

affe

ctin

gH

arbo

ur G

roup

sac

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espr

iorit

y ha

bita

ts.

Fen

cing

off

area

s of

san

d du

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Stu

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d

Fle

et E

urop

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ine

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s (E

MS

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teer

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Gro

up to

impl

emen

t mea

sure

sto

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tram

plin

g ef

fect

s

Sea

clif

f and

slo

pe –

wor

king

with

loca

lcl

ubs,

e.g

. roc

k cl

imbi

ng g

uida

nce,

and

sign

s re

ques

ting

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kers

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tick

to p

aths

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ris fr

om h

uman

act

iviti

esW

aste

dis

posa

l fac

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s pr

ovid

ed a

t por

ts4.

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(e.g

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ual b

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arth

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at P

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may

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sta

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eed

a m

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5. D

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6.

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, coa

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usi

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redg

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mat

eria

len

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tinue

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af)

COA

STA

L H

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83

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agem

ent

con

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oole

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str

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entif

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ss o

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tify

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ater

hab

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e-cr

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for

habi

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ites

in P

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for

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arsh

impo

rtan

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shw

ater

hab

itat.

befo

re im

plem

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g sa

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reat

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prog

ram

me

recr

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nth

roug

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8. U

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gro

up p

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er a

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exte

nt a

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ualit

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saltm

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ext

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coas

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arbo

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10. R

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in 5

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sur

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rep

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impa

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ctic

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n B

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saltm

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. Chr

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h H

arbo

ur

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effe

ct o

f est

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Poo

le B

ay a

nd C

hris

tchu

rch

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coa

stal

12. I

ncre

ase

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the

effe

ct o

f est

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stal

dyna

mic

sst

rate

gies

may

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ove

unde

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dyna

mic

s th

roug

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l eng

inee

ring

stud

ies.

engi

neer

ing

sedi

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le H

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ur E

urop

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nder

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uire

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. Enc

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the

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aren

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l eng

inee

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stra

tegi

es14

. Inc

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stra

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s15

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dive

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fact

shee

ts o

f loc

atio

n of

hab

itats

and

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asta

l hab

itats

– fl

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sens

itivi

ties

to b

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nt to

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l pla

nnin

g au

thor

ities

defe

nce,

fish

erie

s et

cC

hesi

l and

the

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et S

AC

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agem

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and

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s et

c.P

lan

aim

s to

rai

se a

war

enes

s

Key

to a

bbre

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ions

:

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rnem

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ough

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nt D

orse

t Mar

ine

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mitt

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WT

– D

orse

t Wild

life

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tLP

A’s

– L

ocal

Pla

nnin

g A

utho

ritie

sE

N –

Eng

lish

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ure

NT-

Nat

iona

l Tru

stF

WA

G –

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min

g an

d W

ildlif

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dvis

ory

Gro

up

COA

STA

L H

AB

ITAT

S

2.5.2 GROUP STATEMENT FOR MARINE HABITATS

N.B. For habitat status information see Table 6.

The majority of marine habitats do not have UK or Natural Area targets. The exceptions are Seagrassbeds and Saline lagoons. These targets are in Appendix D.

Common objectives for the priority marine habitats are listed below:

Saline lagoonsNational Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

Saline lagoons are natural or artificial bodies of saline water wholly or partially separated from theadjacent sea. They retain a proportion of their sea water at low tide and may develop as brackish, fullysaline or hyper-saline water bodies. Lagoons are one of the priority habitats listed under the ECHabitats Directive.

The Fleet is the largest saline lagoon in Britain. Sea water percolates through the shingle influencing thesalinity along its length, and a low freshwater input results in saline conditions throughout most of thelagoon. Where there are tidal rapids within the lagoon, rich sponge communities are found, andelsewhere there are important Seagrass (Zostera), and Ruppia beds.

Sabellaria spinulosa reefsNational Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

Sabellaria spinulosa reefs comprise dense subtidal aggregations of this small, tube-building polychaeteworm. Sabellaria spinulosa can act to stabilise cobble, pebble and gravel habitats, providing aconsolidated habitat for epibenthic species. They are solid, (albeit fragile), massive structures at leastseveral centimetres thick, raised above the surrounding seabed, and persisting for many years. As such they provide a biogenic habitat that allows many species to becomeestablished. Significant Sabellaria spinulosa reefs have been recently recorded 4km east of Swanage pier.

Seagrass bedsNational Lead Partner: Environment and Heritage Service

Habitat description

Seagrass (Zostera spp) is one of the few flowering plants (angiosperm) adapted to living fullysubmerged in marine conditions. Seagrass beds develop in fairly sheltered intertidal and shallowsubtidal areas on sand and muds. Extensive beds may form which stabilise the substratum and provideattachment for associated species. Three species of Zostera occur in the UK, with Zostera marinapredominating in the sublittoral zone. The shelter provided by seagrass beds makes them moreimportant nursery areas for fish, and they also provide a food source for wildfowl. Seagrass beds arealso commonly referred to as Zostera or eelgrass beds.

84

Objectives:

1 Maintain the extent and quality of marine priority habitats.

2 Assess feasibility of restoration of damaged habitats.

3 Improve understanding by promoting research and survey.

4 Promote awareness amongst public, especially divers.

The

Hed

geho

g S

pong

e by

Pet

er T

insl

eyS

tar

Sea

-Squ

irt b

y P

eter

Tin

sley

Sublittoral sand and gravelsNational Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

This habitat is permanently submerged and the particle structure found in this habitat ranges frommainly sand, through various combinations of sand and gravel, to mainly gravel with occasionalpebbles.

In the infralittoral zone, this habitat is characterised by animal communities which are influenced by ahigh degree of disturbance from wave action. Although supporting a wide range of species, thesehabitats typically include fairly robust infaunal species of amphipods, bivalves and polychaetes. Graveland sand habitats in the circalittoral zone (> 20m) are less wave disturbed.

Tidal RapidsNational Lead Partner: Countryside Council for WalesEnvironment and Heritage Service

Habitat description

Tidal rapids are defined as ‘strong tidal streams resulting from a constriction in the coastline at theentrance to, or within, an enclosed body of water’. The passage of the tidal stream is usually shallowand there can be good clarity. These factors, together with a constantly renewed food source from eachnew strong tidal stream results in characteristic marine communities rich in diversity.

Maerl bedsNational Lead Partner: Scottish Natural Heritage

Habitat description

Maerl is a collective term for certain coralline red algae that grow unattached on a clean, tidally sweptseabed, and may accumulate to form maerl beds. Maerl is slow growing, but over long periods itsdead calcareous skeleton can accumulate into deep deposits (an important habitat in its own right),overlain by a thin layer of pink, living maerl.

Maerl beds have considerable conservation value because they support a rich associated fauna. Thecoralline algae Phymatolithon calcareum, and Lithothamnion coralloides form an important maerl bedoff Handfast Point. This is the most easterly known location in the English Channel.

They are a fragile habitat, easily damaged by human activity.

Sublittoral chalkNational Lead Partner: English Nature

Habitat description

Sublittoral chalk consists largely of rocky reefs which fringe the coastline, particularly adjacent to hardcliffs and shores. They support a range of plants and animals, depending on a range of factors such asturbidity of water, depth, tidal streams and substratum stability.

A number of species occur which are only present in south west England, including the pink sea-fanEunicella verrucosa.

Mud habitats in deep waterNational Lead Partner: Scottish Natural Heritage

Habitat description

Mud habitats in deep water occur below 20-30m in the UK’s marine environment. The relatively stableconditions often lead to the establishment of communities of burrowing fauna. Of particular interest inDorset, Portland Harbour contains important communities of the fragile sea pen Virgularia mirabilis, aspecies more commonly associated with the deep muds of Scottish sea lochs.

85

Mytelis edulis bedsLocal priority habitat

Habitat description

The species Mytelis edulis form mussel beds off Durlston Head and Portland Bill. They are biogenic reefs supporting a wide diversity of marine invertebrates and fish, and are therefore of high biodiversityimportance locally.

Brittlestar bedsLocal priority habitat

Habitat description

Extensive brittlestar beds have recently been found approximately 2km off Kimmeridge Bay, to the west ofSwanage. The species forming these beds is Ophiothrix fragilis. The number of individual brittlestarsinvolved is likely to be in the thousands. Brittlestar beds are not true biogenic reefs as they do not form asolid structure. However, they are infrequently encountered and are of high biodiversity importance locally.

Specific impacts on priority marine habitats

● Habitat loss through; damage from fishing gear, maintenance and capital dredging operations, dumping of dredgings, recreational activities.

● Lack of knowledge of extent of habitat.

● Lack of public awareness.

86

UK

Pri

ori

ty h

abit

at

SA

C/S

PA in

tere

stfe

atu

re in

Do

rset

Imp

ort

ant

for

UK

BA

P s

pec

ies

Lo

cal d

eclin

e

Pro

po

rtio

n o

f U

Kh

abit

at in

Do

rset

Lo

cal t

hre

at

Lo

cal r

arit

y

Po

ten

tial

to

ext

end

/lin

k h

abit

at f

rag

men

ts

Su

rvey

pri

ori

ty

Key at Appendix C

Table 6 Marine Habitat Status

Biodiversityhabitat

Seagrass beds ✓ ✓ ✓ Unknown Significant Indirect & N/A N/A Medium�� Direct (Survey

PooleHarbour)

Tidal rapids ✓ ✓ Unknown Unknown Indirect N/A N/A Medium

Sublittoral ✓ Unknown Unknown Indirect N/A N/A Mediumchalk

Sabellaria ✓ ✓ Unknown Significant Indirect & N/A N/A Highspinulosa Directreefs

Saline ✓ ✓ ✓ Stable Significant Indirect N/A N/A Lowlagoons

Mud in deep ✓ Unknown Unknown Indirect N/A N/A Mediumwater & Direct

Maerl beds ✓ ✓ Unknown Modest Indirect N/A N/A High/Ongoing

Mytelis edulis Declining Unknown Direct N/A N/A N/Abeds & Indirect

Brittlestar Unknown Unknown Indirect N/A N/A Highbeds & Direct

Sublittoral ✓ ✓ Unknown Unknown Indirect N/A N/A Highsands and & Directgravels

Mae

rl B

eds

M

ud in

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p W

ater

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l rap

ids

Brit

tlest

ar b

eds

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ella

ria s

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S

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l San

ds a

nd G

rave

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alin

e La

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s

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gras

s B

eds

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ral c

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elis

edu

lis b

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87

MA

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AB

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Po

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nglis

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– J

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88

MA

RIN

E H

AB

ITAT

S

89

2.6 HABITAT STATEMENT FOR:Wood pasture, Parkland and Veteran Trees

Bee

ch a

nd o

ak le

aves

by

Gra

ham

Hat

herle

y

90

2.6 HABITAT STATEMENT FOR WOOD PASTURE, PARKLAND AND VETERAN TREES National Lead Agency: English Nature

Habitat descriptionThese habitats are the relicts of historic land management systems, and represent a vegetationstructure rather than a particular plant community. Typically this structure consists of large, open-grownor high forest trees (often pollards) at various densities, in a matrix of grazed grassland, heathland and/or woodland floras. The presence of large old trees is a key characteristic of this habitat type, andmany plant and insect species are dependent on them.

The processes that led to the creation of these habitats have long since ceased and most of Dorset’sparklands have been converted to arable farmland. However, the few remaining sites, such as MelburyPark, are of international importance. Wood pasture is particularly important for bats.

Veteran trees can also occur in other habitats, such as hedgerows, but the extent of the habitat ispoorly known. Wayside trees are typically found alongside roads and tracks or in improved pasture,sometimes as relicts of former 18th or 19th century landscaped parks. They are subject to naturaleutrophication and support an epiphytic flora of national importance.

The Biodiversity Management Group has proposed that a Habitat Action Plan is prepared for thishabitat. No table of actions has been prepared as part of this Strategy.

Impacts

● Loss of habitat through conversion to arable and other land uses.

● Lack of or inappropriate management,e.g

- under/overgrazing, fertiliser application etc

- unnecessary removal of veteran trees and wood decay for safety or tidiness reasons.

- lack of continuity of management has led to a skewed age structure of trees, with a lack of younger trees creating a gap in appropriate habitat conditions.

- damage to trees and roots from soil compaction and erosion.

● Loss of trees through disease and storm damage.

● Pollution leading to damage of epiphytic communities and changes to soils.

● Isolation and fragmentation of remaining habitat in the landscape.

● Changes to groundwater levels leading to water stress and tree death.

● Lack of awareness of the biodiversity importance of wood pasture.






Local decline Stable (mostly before the 1930’s)


Local threat Direct

Local rarity Rare















Objectives

1 To establish the current extent of wood-pasture, parkland and veteran tree interest in Dorset.

2 Maintain the known extent and quality of wood pasture, parkland and veteran trees,focusing particularly on the conservation of veteran trees where they occur.

3 To restore derelict wood pasture and parkland to favourable condition.

4 To initiate the creation and expansion of wood pasture, parkland and veteran treereplacements in appropriate areas.

5 To promote and raise awareness of the biodiversity importance of this habitat.

Key at Appendix C













2.7 HABITAT STATEMENT FOR:Lowland Heathland

91

Ext

ract

of

a ph

oto

by I

mog

en D

aven

port

92

2.7 HABITAT STATEMENT FOR LOWLAND HEATHLAND National Lead Agency: English Nature

Habitat descriptionLowland heathland is dominated by dwarf ericoid shrubs (heathers) along with species of gorse onpoor soils, typically sands and gravels. It is rare within a European context making the Dorset Heathsone of our most important habitats. Major changes over the last 250 years (85% of the original areahas been converted to agriculture, forestry and urban development) have severely fragmented theremaining heathland sites. These losses have been compounded by a lack of management leading toinvasion of scrub and trees. The loss of this traditionally managed landscape has led to a significantdecline in many species dependent on heathland.

Although lowland heathland is the key priority BAP habitat there are important concentrations of otherBAP priority habitats in the wider heathland landscape, including mires and fens, acid grassland, woodpasture and wet woodland. Valley mires are particularly well–represented and the Dorset Heathstogether with the New Forest support the vast majority of the remaining area in Europe. Recent grazinginitiatives on the heaths have also benefited the mire systems. Many BAP priority species aredependent on this diverse habitat assemblage.

The Dorset heathlands have been the subject of a concerted, determined and sustained conservationeffort stretching back to the 1970s. Many organisations are involved and there are many complexissues to tackle. These span all sectors – development, agriculture and forestry are all important. Allof the key issues are being addressed and there has been significant recent progress in most areas.However, much remains to be done to secure the long term conservation of these heathlands.

For a fuller treatment of Dorset heathland conservation issues readers are referred to the DorsetHeathland Strategy (DCC 1990) and the Dorset Heaths Natural Area Profile (EN 1998).

The Biodiversity Management Group have proposed that a Habitat Action Plan is prepared for thishabitat. This Habitat Statement will form the basis of the action plan.

Key at Appendix C







Local threat Direct

Local rarity Scarce















Impacts

● Heathland fragmentation.

● Planning and urban development.

● Minerals issues.

● Environment Agency Consents for discharges and abstractions.

● Restoration management.

● Grazing management.

● Urban heathland issues.

● Species issues.

● Monitoring and research.

● Public perception of heathland.


93

Objectives

1 Restore functioning heathland ecosystems by:

• linking heathland fragments through re-establishment of heathland or otherappropriate habitats.

• integrating the management of heathland with that of surrounding land.

• re-introducing the essential elements, such as extensive grazing, of a heathlandecosystem.

2 Prevent direct loss of existing heathlands from development or other factors.

3 Restore sites that have too much tree and scrub cover.

4 Restore heathland wetlands affected by drainage or nutrient enrichment.

5 Address problems of urban heathlands in line with the objectives of the recommendationsof the Bern Convention appraisal.

6 Establish monitoring systems that will detect long-term deleterious trends in heathland systems.

7 Integrate species conservation into habitat management programmes.

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t Act

ion

Eva

luat

ion

Rec

om

men

ded

act

ion

par

tner

s

Po

licy

and

leg

isla

tio

n

Hea

thla

nd fr

agm

enta

tion

Re-

crea

tion

oppo

rtun

ities

thro

ugh

leas

e,P

rogr

ess

has

been

mad

e th

roug

h a

num

ber

of1.

Con

tinue

with

cur

rent

act

ions

. Pro

mot

e th

e D

orse

tB

iodi

vers

itypu

rcha

se o

r ot

her

mec

hani

sms

have

mec

hani

sms

but t

here

rem

ain

huge

unr

ealis

edhe

athl

ands

as

a pe

rfec

t opp

ortu

nity

for

natio

nal o

rP

roje

cts

been

take

n as

they

aris

e pa

rtly

thro

ugh

oppo

rtun

ities

.re

gion

al p

roje

cts

such

as

Life

scap

es a

nd R

ebui

ldin

gF

E, M

oDsu

cces

sful

app

licat

ions

to H

LF.

Bio

dive

rsity

DE

FR

A, E

NV

CO

’sT

he is

sue

of s

ecur

ing

heat

hlan

d on

FE

The

impl

icat

ions

of t

he s

tudy

on

the

pote

ntia

l for

2. P

ursu

e he

athl

and

and

repl

acem

ent w

oodl

and

idea

s.la

nd –

the

bigg

est o

ppor

tuni

ty -

thro

ugh

heat

hlan

d re

-cre

atio

n fa

cilit

ated

by

new

woo

dlan

dpr

ovis

ion

of w

oodl

and

else

whe

re is

bei

ngne

ed to

be

eval

uate

d.ex

plor

ed a

s pa

rt o

f the

HE

H p

roje

ctS

ome

of th

e be

st o

ppor

tuni

ties

invo

lve

larg

e3.

See

k to

est

ablis

h la

rge-

scal

e pr

ojec

t with

the

nece

ssar

yH

eath

land

is b

eing

re-

esta

blis

hed

onpr

ivat

ely

owne

d es

tate

s. T

here

nee

ds to

be

afu

ndin

g to

ach

ieve

sub

stan

tial c

hang

e.so

me

350h

a of

gra

ssla

nd m

ainl

y fu

nded

mor

e at

trac

tive

pack

age

that

will

con

vinc

eth

roug

h th

e re

-cre

atio

n tie

r of

land

owne

rs th

at la

rge

scal

e he

athl

and

re-c

reat

ion

4. P

rom

ote

and

targ

et C

ount

rysi

de S

tew

ards

hip

at k

eyC

ount

rysi

de S

tew

ards

hip.

and

man

agem

ent i

s a

sust

aina

ble

and

viab

lela

ndho

ldin

gs.

long

term

opt

ion.

Pla

nnin

g an

d ur

ban

Rep

rese

ntat

ions

mad

e at

Reg

iona

lM

ost o

f the

new

dev

elop

men

t aro

und

the

urba

n5.

Dev

elop

pla

nnin

g po

licie

s to

tack

le in

fill b

y LA

’sde

velo

pmen

tpl

anni

ng, s

truc

ture

pla

n an

d lo

cal p

lans

and

urba

n fr

inge

hea

thla

nds

will

be

infil

l. P

olic

ies

prev

entin

g in

crea

ses

in h

ousi

ng d

ensi

ty c

lose

to

EN

leve

ls a

gain

st e

xces

sive

hou

sing

gro

wth

.ne

ed to

be

deve

lope

d th

at w

ill p

reve

nt th

ehe

aths

and

pro

vidi

ng a

ltern

ativ

e na

tura

l gre

ensp

ace.

V

CO

sU

rban

dev

elop

men

t tha

t wou

ld im

pact

inev

itabl

e in

crea

se in

den

sity

cre

atin

g ad

ditio

nal

Thr

ough

the

plan

ning

pro

cess

, aim

to p

reve

nt th

ehe

athl

ands

opp

osed

at p

ublic

inqu

iries

.ur

ban

effe

cts

on h

eath

sun

sust

aina

ble

expa

nsio

n of

the

Poo

le/B

ourn

emou

thco

nurb

atio

n.

Res

earc

h be

gun

on th

e im

pact

s of

pub

licT

here

may

als

o be

opp

ortu

nitie

s fo

r pl

anni

ng g

ain

6. O

ppos

e in

divi

dual

dev

elop

men

t pro

posa

ls th

at w

ould

pres

sure

gen

erat

ed b

y ur

ban

deve

lop-

asso

ciat

ed w

ith n

ew d

evel

opm

ent.

have

sig

nific

ant i

mpa

cts

on k

ey s

ites.

men

t on

key

heat

hlan

d sp

ecie

s an

d on

the

rela

tions

hip

betw

een

deve

lopm

ent a

nd7.

Wor

k to

ste

er d

evel

opm

ent a

way

from

site

s w

ithpe

ople

’s u

se o

f the

hea

ths.

pote

ntia

l for

hea

thla

nd r

e-cr

eatio

n or

alte

rnat

ive

natu

ral

gree

nspa

ce.

M

iner

als

issu

esR

evie

ws

unde

r th

e H

abita

t Reg

ulat

ions

The

re a

re s

ever

al c

ompl

ex h

eath

land

rev

iew

8. S

eek

to p

reve

nt d

amag

e to

hea

thla

nds

thro

ugh

DC

Can

d R

OM

P c

urre

ntly

in p

rogr

ess

on m

ost

case

s an

d th

ere

is p

oten

tial f

or g

ains

ass

ocia

ted

Hab

itat R

egs

and

Rev

iew

of M

iner

als

EN

site

s w

here

exi

stin

g pl

anni

ng p

erm

issi

ons

with

thes

e ca

ses

Per

mis

sion

s (R

OM

P)

revi

ews

and

othe

r M

iner

als

indu

stry

over

lap

desi

gnat

ed s

ites

appr

opria

te m

echa

nism

s.

9. W

ork

with

the

min

eral

s in

dust

ry to

sec

ure

cons

erva

tion

gain

s an

d ai

m to

impr

ove

tech

niqu

es o

f hab

itat

rest

orat

ion

EA

con

sent

sR

evie

w o

f con

sent

s fo

r di

scha

rges

and

The

pro

cess

has

not

yet

got

to th

e st

age

of10

. See

k re

med

ial a

ctio

n w

here

con

sent

s ar

e da

mag

ing

EA

abst

ract

ions

und

er H

abita

t Reg

ulat

ions

focu

ssin

g on

thos

e co

nsen

ts th

at a

re o

f rea

lhe

athl

and

wet

land

s.E

Nar

e cu

rren

tly in

pro

gres

s.co

ncer

n.

(con

tinue

d ov

erle

af)

94

LOW

LAN

D H

EATH

LAN

D

95

Res

tora

tion

man

agem

ent;

Hab

itat m

anag

emen

t pro

ject

s –

the

The

re h

as b

een

muc

h re

cent

pro

gres

s bo

th11

. Sec

ure

max

imum

ret

urn

from

rem

aini

ng y

ears

of H

EH

.H

ardy

’s E

gdon

tree

s an

d sc

rub:

wet

land

sH

ardy

’s E

gdon

Hea

th (

HE

H)

proj

ect

thro

ugh

HE

H a

nd m

anag

emen

t res

ultin

g fr

omH

eath

par

tner

s(2

000-

2005

) is

par

tner

ship

pro

ject

of

new

leas

es a

nd a

gree

men

ts.

Long

-ter

m fu

ndin

g12

. See

k to

sec

ure

long

-ter

m fu

ndin

g st

ream

s fo

r ha

bita

tE

N13

org

anis

atio

ns in

volv

ed in

man

agin

gfo

r ha

bita

t man

agem

ent r

emai

ns a

n is

sue

mai

nten

ance

.th

e D

orse

t hea

ths.

The

pro

ject

ispa

rtic

ular

ly fo

r M

oD s

ites.

fund

ed b

y H

LF -

they

are

put

ting

£2.7

mill

ion

over

5 y

ears

with

aM

anag

emen

t is

not l

ikel

y to

be

poss

ible

on

a fe

w13

. Sec

ure

man

agem

ent o

n th

e fe

w c

urre

ntly

£1.3

mill

ion

cont

ribut

ion

from

par

tner

s.si

tes

with

out t

he u

se o

f pow

ers

in th

e C

ount

rysi

deun

man

aged

site

s.an

d R

ight

s of

Way

Act

200

0.N

egot

iatio

n of

new

agr

eem

ents

-14

. Ins

tigat

e pr

ogra

mm

e of

mire

res

tora

tion

thro

ugh

Wild

life

Enh

ance

men

t Sch

eme

(WE

S),

Ditc

hing

has

dam

aged

a n

umbe

r of

hea

thla

nd

infil

ling

of d

itche

s.st

ewar

dshi

p, o

r le

ases

/pur

chas

e.m

ire s

yste

ms.

Som

e 80

% o

f the

hea

thla

nds

are

now

unde

r th

e co

ntro

l of c

onse

rvat

ion

orga

nisa

tions

, loc

al a

utho

ritie

s, M

oD a

ndF

E.

Muc

h of

the

rem

aini

ng p

rivat

ely

owne

d la

nd is

man

aged

und

er W

ES

agre

emen

ts.

Gra

zing

man

agem

ent

16 g

razi

ng u

nits

cov

erin

g 2

500h

a of

the

The

mod

el o

f ext

ensi

ve g

razi

ng o

ver

larg

e ar

eas

15.C

ontin

ue to

pur

sue

indi

vidu

al e

xten

sive

gra

zing

E

ND

orse

t hea

thla

nds

have

bee

n es

tabl

ishe

dat

low

inte

nsity

and

with

cat

tle a

nd p

onie

s ha

ssc

hem

es.

DE

FR

Asi

nce

1994

. M

ost o

f the

eas

ier

prov

ed a

suc

cess

ful o

ne. T

here

are

link

s be

twee

nD

WT

oppo

rtun

ities

for

esta

blis

hing

gra

zing

the

esta

blis

hmen

t of l

arge

via

ble

graz

ing

units

and

16. S

eek

to in

clud

ed a

gric

ultu

ral l

and

and

woo

dlan

d as

HC

Tha

ve b

een

real

ised

and

cur

rent

act

ion

de-f

ragm

enta

tion

and

mos

t uni

ts w

ould

ben

efit

appr

opria

te in

hea

thla

nd g

razi

ng u

nits

or

to u

se th

eR

SB

Pin

volv

es tr

ying

to s

ecur

e ex

tens

ive

graz

ing

from

bei

ng b

igge

r an

d in

clud

ing

a gr

eate

r va

riety

land

to p

rovi

de b

ack

up fo

r he

athl

and

graz

ing.

Lin

kF

Eon

som

e of

the

mor

e di

fficu

lt si

tes

whe

reof

oth

er h

abita

ts e

g gr

assl

and

and

woo

dlan

d. In

exis

ting

units

whe

re p

ossi

ble.

MoD

cattl

e gr

ids

are

need

ed.

the

med

ium

to lo

ng te

rm it

may

be

incr

easi

ngly

LA’s

diffi

cult

to fi

nd g

razi

ers

and

the

esta

blis

hmen

t of

17. I

nves

tigat

e po

tent

ial f

or th

e es

tabl

ishm

ent o

f nat

ural

natu

ral g

razi

ng s

yste

ms

usin

g de

-dom

estic

ated

graz

ing

on s

elec

ted

site

s us

ing

de-d

omes

ticat

ed s

tock

.st

ock

coul

d be

an

alte

rnat

ive.

The

re h

ave

been

diffi

culti

es w

ith p

rovi

sion

of c

attle

grid

s on

som

e ro

ads.

Urb

an h

eath

land

issu

esC

urre

nt a

ctio

n is

con

cent

rate

d ar

ound

M

anag

emen

t of u

rban

hea

thla

nds,

par

ticul

arly

18. B

uild

on

succ

essf

ul p

artn

ersh

ips

with

the

polic

e an

dLA

san

urb

an h

eath

LIF

E p

roje

ct -

war

deni

ng, i

s ex

pens

ive

and

curr

ent l

evel

s ar

efir

e se

rvic

eF

ire s

ervi

ce‘ C

omba

ting

urba

n pr

essu

res

degr

adin

gsu

stai

ned

by s

hort

-ter

m fu

ndin

g fr

om th

e ur

ban

Pol

ice

Eur

opea

n he

athl

ands

in D

orse

t ’. I

t is

ahe

aths

LIF

E p

roje

ct19

. See

k se

cure

long

-ter

m fu

ndin

g fo

r ur

ban

heat

h4

year

pro

ject

(20

01-2

005)

aim

ed a

t

man

agem

ent.

redu

cing

the

effe

cts

of u

rban

isat

ion

on th

eT

here

is a

nee

d to

incr

ease

the

robu

stne

ss o

fD

orse

t’s u

rban

hea

thla

nds

fund

ed b

y th

eur

ban

heat

hlan

d si

tes

thro

ugh

bette

r m

anag

emen

t20

. Brin

g la

nd a

djac

ent t

o ur

ban

heat

hs in

to a

ppro

pria

teE

urop

ean

Com

mis

sion

with

con

trib

utio

nsof

sur

roun

ding

land

, eith

er d

irect

ly fo

r na

ture

man

agem

ent

from

the

nine

loca

l par

tner

s, in

clud

ing

the

cons

erva

tion

or to

rel

ieve

peo

ple

pres

sure

on

the

polic

e an

d fir

e se

rvic

e.

exis

ting

heat

h(c

ontin

ued

over

leaf

)

LOW

LAN

D H

EATH

LAN

D

96

Po

ten

tial

Imp

acts

Cu

rren

t Act

ion

Eva

luat

ion

Rec

om

men

ded

act

ion

par

tner

s

Man

agem

ent

con

t . .

.

Spe

cies

issu

es

An

incr

easi

ng n

umbe

r of

The

se r

ecom

men

datio

ns h

ave

mos

tly n

ot b

een

21. S

peci

es c

once

rns

need

to b

e sa

tisfie

d w

ithou

tE

Nre

com

men

datio

ns fo

r sp

ecie

sin

tegr

ated

into

gen

eral

hab

itat m

anag

emen

tov

er-c

ompl

icat

ing

gene

ral h

abita

t man

agem

ent

RS

PB

man

agem

ent a

re r

esul

ting

from

ong

oing

pres

crip

tions

. C

omm

unic

atio

n be

twee

n gr

oups

pres

crip

tions

.H

CT

rese

arch

and

sur

vey

repr

esen

ting

diffe

rent

spe

cies

cou

ld b

e im

prov

ed.

DW

T

Res

earc

h a

nd

mo

nit

ori

ng

Mon

itorin

g an

d re

sear

chM

uch

mon

itorin

g an

d re

cord

ing

isM

onito

ring

and

rese

arch

is n

ot c

oord

inat

ed in

a22

. See

k be

tter

targ

etin

g an

d co

ordi

natio

n of

hea

thla

ndD

ER

Con

goin

g st

ruct

ured

fram

ewor

k.re

sear

ch a

nd s

urve

y. E

stab

lish

coor

dina

ted

syst

em o

fE

Nre

port

ing

BA

P a

ctio

ns.

VC

Os

Long

-ter

m m

onito

ring

Littl

e re

sear

ch o

n th

e D

orse

t hea

ths

atS

low

insi

diou

s ch

ange

s to

hea

thla

nd th

roug

h23

. See

k to

Inst

igat

e ap

prop

riate

mon

itorin

g.E

Npr

esen

t tar

gete

d on

pot

entia

l lon

g-te

rmat

mos

pher

ic d

epos

ition

, fra

gmen

tatio

n or

clim

ate

EA

chan

ges.

chan

ge m

ay n

ot c

urre

ntly

be

pick

ed u

p.C

EH

Ed

uca

tio

n a

nd

aw

aren

ess

rais

ing

Pub

lic p

erce

ptio

n of

Mea

sure

s ha

ve b

een

take

n to

add

ress

Des

pite

this

ther

e re

mai

ns s

igni

fican

t pub

lic24

. Add

ress

issu

es fu

lly a

t a s

ite le

vel u

sing

con

sulta

tion

All

heat

hlan

dhe

athl

and

oppo

sitio

n fr

om s

ome

mem

bers

of t

heop

posi

tion

to h

eath

land

man

agem

ent –

prot

ocol

dev

elop

ed th

roug

h H

EH

pro

ject

.m

anag

ers

publ

ic to

hea

thla

nd m

anag

emen

t on

part

icul

arly

tree

cle

aran

ce.

spec

ific

site

s an

d at

a g

ener

ic le

vel a

spa

rt o

f the

HE

H p

roje

ct

Key

to a

bbre

viat

ions

:

CE

H –

Cen

tre

for

Eco

logy

and

Hyd

rolo

gyH

CT

– H

erpe

tolo

gica

l Con

serv

atio

n Tr

ust

DE

FR

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Action plans for common themes are organised under the following headings;

● raising awareness and involvement

● data and information

● land-use planning

3.1 Common Theme: Raising awareness and involvement

IntroductionUnderstanding of biodiversity conservation is crucial to the success of biodiversity programmesthroughout the UK. Biodiversity and nature conservation should not just be the concern of a relativelysmall number of individuals and organisations. The natural beauty of the landscape is widelyappreciated, but there is less understanding of the vulnerability of many habitats and species. Thishighlights a clear need to raise awareness and concern.

Messages about biodiversity conservation need to reach decision-makers in key sectors of society,and individuals. Messages need to be simple, relevant, easily accessible and sufficiently compelling toelicit changes in people’s attitudes towards the environment.

The successful implementation of action for biodiversity requires involvement from various sectors.Having a partnership approach means that the workload can be shared and a wide range of skills andresources used. It also ensures that there is a shared commitment to and ownership of the process,which in turn should provide a commitment to implementing the strategy, and put biodiversityconservation on a more long-term, sustainable footing.

Objectives

1 Develop awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues in key sectors and encourage involvement of these sectors in conserving biodiversity.

2 Raise awareness of the Dorset Biodiversity Strategy and its objectives.

3 Promote involvement of members of the Dorset Biodiversity Partnership in implementing the action set out in the Dorset Biodiversity Strategy.

Introduction

Certain themes run through many of the individual UK Action Plans. Thissection identifies these ‘Common Themes’ and proposes key actions toaddress them. These themes apply not only to priority habitats and species,but also to all biodiversity in the county, the rare and common alike.

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Current Action

There are many initiatives aimed at raising awareness and increasing involvement in biodiversityconservation. Many of these do not use the term ‘biodiversity’, but more familiar terms such as ‘natureconservation’ or ‘environmental education’. There is not room here to list all the activities, but thefollowing gives a flavour of the range and type of activities taking place in Dorset;

● Landowner liaison projects

● Formal environmental education

● Media work and press releases on wildlife issues

● Community environmental projects

● Interpretation activities e.g. walks and talks, displays

Also, Dorset County Council is running a ‘Working for Wildlife’ project aimed at establishing more LocalNature Reserves within the rural county and encouraging community participation. With funding fromEnglish Nature’s Wildspace! Programme, the project is targeting population centres where access tonatural open space is limited, and is encouraging communities to come forward with their favouredareas, including pocket parks, disused railway lines and small former quarries.

Action Potential partners

● Promote the consideration of biodiversity issues in the development or Dorset Biodiversityreview of policies or strategies (e.g. Best Value reviews /Community PartnershipStrategies) as a means of raising awareness and securing better support.

● Maintain awareness, momentum and commitment within the partnership Dorset Biodiversitythrough regular meetings and exchange of information (e.g. newsletter) Partnership

l● Develop projects to raise awareness and increase involvement of key Dorset Biodiversitysectors such as community groups, business, land managers, educational Partnershipand health institutions, and local government.

● Maximise the use of the broadcast media, and other means of Dorset Biodiversitycommunication, to disseminate information on biodiversity to the widest Partnershippossible audience

● Develop a website and mobile display to promote the Strategy Dorset Biodiver- sity Partnership













Current factors affecting awareness of biodiversityThere are a number of factors hindering progress in raising biodiversity awareness;

● Poor understanding in some sectors of what biodiversity actually means.

● A perceived lack of relevance to people’s everyday lives.

● A lack of integration of biodiversity into other policies and strategies.

● Limited co-ordination between biodiversity professionals leading to inconsistent, or weakened biodiversity messages.

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3.2 Common Theme: data and monitoring

Introduction

Our ability to make the best possible decisions on action for biodiversity depends upon the availabilityof relevant and accessible data. Information requirements include:

● Monitoring of rare species populations that occur on very few sites, as well as widespread species which are found throughout the county

● Assessment of the condition of designated sites and SNCI’s

● Monitoring progress towards biodiversity targets

● Assessment of the effect of agri-environment schemes.

Objectives

1 Ensure quality data on habitats and species are accessible.

2 Establish a co-ordinated programme for survey of species and habitats, to update and improve our knowledge of Dorset’s natural environment.

3 Establish a monitoring programme to measure future changes in the biodiversity of Dorset and to assess the impact of the Dorset Biodiversity Strategy.

Current factors affecting biodiversity data and monitoring

1 Collecting records:

● Some major groups of plants and animals are poorly represented, mainly due to a small number of experts available to identify them

● Records are not evenly spread across geographical areas or time

● A lack of co-ordinated and strategic approach to record collection

● Insufficient levels of resources devoted to survey and collection of data.

2 Storing and retrieving biological records:

● Lack of adequate storage and retrieval systems

● Insufficient level of resources (funding and staff).

3 Recording and monitoring:

● Systems have not developed as rapidly as nature conservation policies and activity, i.e there is a need to assess the effects of conservation management and to understand how biodiversity is changing as a consequence.

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Current Action

National

The production of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan in 1994 gave added impetus to the search for acountry-wide system of recording biodiversity information that was responsive to local needs. The resultis the National Biodiversity Network (NBN). The NBN is a national consortium of public agencies andvoluntary organisations which aims to establish a publicly accessible web-based network across theUK linking national and local custodians of biodiversity data.

English Nature is developing the Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS). It will support theplanning, monitoring and reporting requirements of national and local BAPs, and is available on theUKBAP website from mid 2003.

National schemes are in place for monitoring particular species groups, such as birds, butterflies,moths, bats etc, and are undertaken at local level, mainly through volunteers. There are also a numberof initiatives for habitat surveillance including Common Standards for SSSI assessment, River Habitatsurveys, Countryside Survey and agri-environment scheme monitoring.

Regional and Local

English Nature’s NBN South-west Pilot has been running since April 2001. It aims to provide a workingmodel of the NBN at a regional level to be rolled out to other regions later. The Dorset EnvironmentalRecords Centre (DERC) is involved in this pilot and forms a crucial link in the network of Local RecordsCentres that form part of the NBN. As part of the NBN pilot project DERC is digitising data for all UKpriority habitats occurring in Dorset.

DERC also utilises databases and a Geographical Information System (GIS) to store a wide variety ofinformation on the county’s wildlife resource, both terrestrial and more recently marine.

Existing information on Dorset’s wildlife is gathered by a range of individuals and organisations.Surveying and monitoring is undertaken by conservation organisations and environmental consultants,voluntary natural history societies and groups, and individual experts. Each tends to keep records fortheir own purposes. Unless this information is passed on to DERC (and much of it is) it is generally notaccessible to others.


● Ensure sufficient financial resources for the maintenance and development DERCof DERC by encouraging users to set up Service Level Agreements

● Encourage a high standard of biological monitoring, by developing DERCstandard methodologies for collecting, submitting and maintainingbiological records in line with guidance developed through the NBN

● DERC to review its data holdings and other data sets held within DERCthe county in order to identify significant gaps in our knowledge andto develop a programme of targeted survey and recording toaddress these.

● In partnership with DERC devise a biodiversity monitoring strategy Dorset Biodiversityfor the county and input to the UK BARS. Partnership

● Encourage and support the collection and submission of biological DERCrecords from the public, private and voluntary sectors, byproviding training.

● Encourage more people to record their local environment, either Dorsetthrough systematic surveys of their village or parish, or as part of a Biodiversitycounty information gathering programme targeted at individual Partnershipspecies or habitats.













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3.3 Common theme: land use planning

Introduction

Within the last fifty years increased development has caused extensive loss of biodiversity in Dorset.The need for housing, industrial and business development, roads and other service infrastructure,coastal defence, waste disposal and mineral extraction, have all been significant factors. They haveresulted not only in direct loss of habitats, but also in a variety of indirect impacts on natureconservation such as pollution, modification of water quality and flow, recreational pressure on sites inproximity to development, and isolation and fragmentation of habitat. Some of these effects have actedin combination with each other to exacerbate the losses.

The demand for new development continues in Dorset. Local Authorities, through their role informulating Development Plans and in the development control process, play important roles indetermining the future of Dorset’s biodiversity. In recent years nature conservation has been consideredan important, even overriding, material factor in determining planning decisions, particularly throughthe influence of European Directives on nature conservation in Dorset.

In the coming years nature conservation will influence the direction of economic development acrossthe county, with issues most acutely focused in South-East Dorset. To avoid repeating past conflicts anew, more coherent approach to biodiversity and land use planning is needed to integrate social,environmental and economic aims. Built development will be needed to meet the needs of the localpeople; however, with careful planning this need not be at odds with nature conservation.Environmental and biodiversity requirements need to be integrated into new development so that theneeds of local people are reconciled with those of biodiversity.

Biodiversity Principles for Land Use Planning in Dorset

● Conserving and enhancing biodiversity is a key test of sustainable development.

● Where appropriate attempts should be made to reverse habitat fragmentation andspecies isolation.

● Development should not lead to a net loss of biodiversity.

● Where losses cannot be avoided they must be kept to a minimum and adequatemitigation provided.

● New development can offer an opportunity to contribute towards a net gain in biodiversity andcan incorporate biodiversity into new designs and plans.

● Designated sites must be afforded levels of protection appropriate to their status.

● Ecological systems must be recognised as being highly complex. Indirect and cumulativeimpacts should be taken into account in assessing potential impacts.

● Natural Area and Biodiversity Strategy priorities should be used as part of the suite ofguidance for planning policies.

● Plans at all levels should be based on adequate biodiversity information and interpretation.

● Adequate information must be provided with planning applications to enable the local planningauthority to determine the effects the development will have on biodiversity.

● The land use planning system should monitor the effects of development on biodiversity.

● Wherever possible the land use planning system should provide the opportunity for local peopleto become involved in maintaining, enhancing and enjoying biodiversity in their area. CommunityStrategies should provide a key element in achieving this.

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Objective

● To ensure that the land-use planning system provides for the conservation and where possible enhancement of biodiversity.

Current factors affecting biodiversity and land use planning

● The weight given to biodiversity conservation interests in reaching planning decisions.

● Level of nature conservation advice available to local planning authorities.

● Treatment of nature conservation as a constraint.

Current actions

● Application of protective legislation and Regulations.

● Local Plans, policies and Supplementary Planning Guidance for nature conservation.

● Liaison between planners and conservationists on individual issues and plans.

● Awareness-raising initiatives, e.g. planning and nature conservation guidance, seminars.

● Community initiated campaigns on individual planning cases.


● Integrate biodiversity objectives into Development Plans. Local Authorities

● Maintain and enhance level of biodiversity protection given by any future Local Authoritiesaltered planning system.

● Identify green networks to facilitate the movement of wildlife through Local Authoritiesexisting and proposed settlements, which link to the countryside beyond.

● Assist planners in dealing with biodiversity issues by producing EN, DWT, DERCSupplementary Planning Guidance.

● Ensure up to date habitat and species data are available, and used to Local Authoritiesinform the planning process, through supporting the maintenance anddevelopment of the Dorset Environmental Records Centre.

● Acquire sufficient in-house expertise, or utilise the services of statutory Local Authoritiesand non-statutory conservation organisations and consultants to give dueregard to biodiversity conservation in the planning process.

● Identify the mechanisms through which lines of communication between Localplanners, conservationists and developers can be enhanced. Authorities, relevant(e.g. through Community Strategy/AONB). conservation

organisations.

● Aim towards a mechanism to monitor the effects of land-use planning Localpolicies and decisions on biodiversity, e.g. through Sustainability AuthoritiesIndicators.













4 MAKINGIT HAPPEN

4.1 A Partnership Approach: Headline Actions for Key Sectors

The successful delivery of actions set out in this Strategy requires involvementfrom all sectors of the community. A partnership approach means that theworkload can be shared and a wide range of skills and resources used. It alsoensures that there is a shared commitment to and ownership of the process.

The key sectors listed overleaf have a distinct role to play in the biodiversityprocess. Biodiversity conservation is already being delivered by these sectorsthrough current initiatives and policies, and the actions set out in this documentindicate the role these sectors can play in the future.

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The following headline actions summarise the main ways in which they can contribute:

Business and Industry

● Champion a priority habitat or species.

● Join a partnership established to take forward project work, and consider loaning equipment and expertise to the initiative.

● Promote the benefits of your involvement with the biodiversity process through existing business advice networks.

● Carry out a biodiversity audit of your own property/landholding and implement appropriate management.

● Establish environmental management systems to improve environmental performance, including provision for biodiversity.

● Encourage staff to participate in local environmental projects.

Community Groups

● Get involved in your local authority Community Strategy process and raise your concerns for biodiversity.

● Adopt a local area for wildlife.

● Organise wildlife recording and monitoring schemes.

● Raise awareness in your community through wildlife events, talks etc.

● Incorporate local biodiversity issues into Village Design Statements, Village Appraisals or Parish Plans.

Education and Research Institutions

● Identify the need for additional curriculum support materials on biodiversity for each key stage and utilise relevant initiatives (e.g. Wildlife Trusts WATCH scheme, RSPB Wildlife Explorers Club etc) to provide material.

● Reinforce biodiversity as a key topic in the programmes of wildlife study centres and informal venues for education such as Sealife Centres.

● Establish local links between schools and practical wildlife initiatives on sites such as nature reserves.

● Review institution’s use of current resources for biodiversity such as their own landholding, access to grant-aid etc.

● Utilise and support the activities of environmental education organisations and projects such as Learning Through Landscapes etc.

● Encourage the introduction of biodiversity into teacher training.

● Promote the establishment and appropriate use of school nature clubs and school wildlife areas.

Government Offices and Departments

● Disseminate information on biodiversity.

● Provide funding for implementation of biodiversity action.

Individuals

● Get involved in biodiversity conservation (such as recording schemes or practical habitat management).

● Create a wildlife area in your garden.

● Join a wildlife charity.

● Review the environmental impact of your everyday activities and purchases.

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Local Authorities

● Integrate action for biodiversity conservation into community strategies.

● Include biodiversity indicators in Best Value review process.

● Identify links between biodiversity issues and all other activities of the local authority and develop strategies to advance biodiversity programmes.

● Develop Members’ awareness of and support for, the biodiversity process.

● Ensure that all development plans and other strategies incorporate biodiversity issues.

● Ensure sufficient resources are allocated within the local authority to play a full and effective part in the biodiversity process.

Landowners and Managers

● Enter an environmental land management scheme.

● Utilise the available conservation advisory services and demonstration days to help you manage for biodiversity.

● Review the management objectives of your land holding to consider the requirements of habitats and species, and incorporate them into the running of your business.

● Use your experience and expertise to inform future development of environmental land management schemes and advisory services.

Statutory Environmental Agencies

● Integrate relevant actions from the biodiversity strategy into your programmes.

● Continue to be an active member of the Dorset Biodiversity Partnership.

● Provide funding for biodiversity action relevant to Agency duties.

Statutory Water Companies

● Continue to be an active partner on biodiversity initiatives.

● Manage your land holdings for biodiversity.

The Tourism Industry

● Work in partnership with wildlife organisations to ensure appropriate promotion and interpretation of sensitive areas.

● Set up a visitor payback scheme.

● Develop ‘sustainability checklists’ for tourism projects.

Voluntary Conservation Organisations

● Continue to be an active partner of the Dorset Biodiversity Partnership.

● Feedback all biological data to DERC.

● Integrate relevant actions from the biodiversity strategy into your work programmes.

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4.2 Funding A number of the actions can be implemented through existing work programmes, procedures, initiativesand funding sources. Others, however, will require new approaches to undertaking work, and may needadditional funding to be made available to meet targets. This strategy highlights action that has not yetbeen initiated and can be used to lobby for change locally, regionally and nationally in order to achieveour obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

An understanding of the costs of biodiversity conservation helps to:

● assess whether enough funding is being allocated to conservation actions by all interested parties

● inform the development of conservation grants and incentive schemes

● ensure that conservation actions are cost effective, enabling conservation organisations to achieve maximum conservation gains from limited budgets.

Sources of Funding and Future Opportunities

Agri-environment schemes

The Countryside Stewardship Scheme (and new arable options), ESA Scheme, the Woodland GrantScheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme can potentially provide funding to assist in theimplementation of some priority habitats. The current agri-environment review will provide furtheropportunities, and the introduction of an ‘entry level’ agri-environment scheme (as proposed by theCurry Commission) could help fund basic environmental land management.

Grants from Statutory Agencies

A range of grants for priority biodiversity habitats and species is available through these agencies atnational and local level.

Developers through planning obligations (Section 106 Agreements)

This source of funding can potentially cover land purchase and habitat creation costs. It can alsoinvolve the maintenance of existing habitat and the restoration of degraded or neglected habitatswithin, adjacent or near to development sites. Circular 1/97 Planning Obligations establishes five testswhich must be applied in order to determine whether 106 Agreements are appropriate.

Biodiversity Partnership

A number of partners provide funding or in-kind support through existing budgets and staff resources.This type of contribution from partnership members, even in small amounts, can be vital in order to actas a lever to attract external grant awards.

Grant Awards

Award schemes such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and Landfill Tax Credit Scheme can potentiallysupply very significant sponsorship, but can require match funding. Certain elements of biodiversitywork such as awareness raising, may be eligible for funding from sources not traditionally associatedwith environmental or biodiversity work.

New National Biodiversity Programmes

To implement the UK BAP a number of national programmes have been developed (e.g the Tomorrow’sHeathland Heritage Programme) which have provided significant amounts of funding that havebenefited Dorset directly. New programmes are likely to be developed in the future which may providefurther funding opportunities for Dorset.

EU Funding

A variety of funding sources are available including regional regeneration funding that can be utilised todevelop community based wildlife projects. Grants include LEADER+ and the LIFE fund.

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Asset Management Plan 4

The water authorities AMP3 programme includes a number of positive actions for biodiversity relating toimproved water quality and supply. Future agreements under the AMP4 programme could address newor outstanding issues that would contribute to the implementation of actions for wetland and coastalhabitats.

Business Sponsorship

A number of national sponsorship schemes are currently operating, including Species Champions suchas Tog 24 who are sponsoring the Stag Beetle and Tesco who are sponsoring the Skylark. There arealso examples of local companies such as Eastern Generation who are sponsoring a grant scheme forthe implementation of the Nottinghamshire BAP.

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Funding

Each AONB has a budget to facilitate the preparation and implementation of AONB ManagementPlans. As 53% of Dorset is designated as AONB this is potentially a significant future funding source forbiodiversity work.

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* The base year for costs is 2002, and they are based on data provided by the Biodiversity Partnership.

Typical costArea of activity (where known)*

Biodiversity Infrastructure

Biodiversity co-ordination post £25,000Local Record Centre annual running cost £70,000

Survey/Training/ResearchHabitat inventory (average cost) £15/hourSurvey contractor rate £150+/daySupport for volunteer surveyors Up to 40 miles(nominal budget for expenses) @ 22-26p/mileSmall 1 day training workshop £550(fee of a trainer and refreshments for up to 20 people)Large 1 day training workshop (larger and more prestigious) £2000Research (desk top contract) £5000

Promotion & InterpretationA4 leaflet - design - 1000 print run (colour)Information boards £2000

Advisory ServicesSite visit to advise on habitat management £50/ half dayPreparation of Countryside Stewardship application £850













The Main Areas of Biodiversity Costs

Based on the recommended actions contained within this strategy, the following areas will requireadditional funding to implement biodiversity action in Dorset:

● Re-creating and enhancing habitats

● Maintaining existing habitats

● Advice

● Survey, monitoring & training

● Communications and publicity

● Research

● Biodiversity infrastructure – a Biodiversity Co-ordinator/ DERC

No attempt has been made to attach overall costs to these areas of work. However, the table belowprovides some examples of the type of costs associated with conservation work.

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Action: (to be co-ordinated by the Dorset Biodiversity Partnership and/or other partners as appropriate)

● Continue to provide financial support for land management advisory services.

● Secure funding for a five year period for a co-ordinating officer post reporting to the BiodiversityAdvisory Group.

● Take a co-ordinated, targeted approach to fund-raising in order to maximise the uptake ofavailable funding mechanisms, by working in partnership at a local and regional level.

● Present relevant biodiversity actions as discrete projects to attract funding.

● Develop larger project bids for funding sources with significant budgets e.g. HLF funding.

● Promote Dorset as a priority area for work through the national programmes of research andmanagement e.g. the national BAP implementation programme.

● Investigate opportunities for collaborative research, monitoring and training with DEFRA andthe Forestry Commission.

● Develop and promote a programme for local business sector involvement in theimplementation of the strategy.













4.3 ImplementationThe publication of the Dorset Biodiversity Strategy marks the beginning of a process, not thecompletion of one. The implementation of the recommended actions contained in this document, willrequire input from those already involved in biodiversity conservation and others who have just begunto explore their role.

Impetus for this process will be provided by the on-going work of the Dorset Biodiversity Partnershipand others that supported the development of this document to date. The Biodiversity Partnershipwould like to involve all interested parties to progress the actions set out in this strategy.

The review period for the strategy is 10 years. Progressing action will involve a great variety of projects,initiatives, courses of action and levels of activity. Some can be progressed immediately and others willevolve over time. The process needs to be adaptable to changing circumstances, and the strategyshould therefore be seen as a working document.

The need for Lead Partners

In the preparation of future habitat and species action plans a Lead Partner will be identified to monitorprogress being made on individual actions. This is likely to be the organisation with the most influenceon the particular habitat or species.

The Biodiversity Partnership Management Group will monitor the strategic actions set out in thisdocument. A Lead Partner is simply a co-ordinating role, with no accountability for actions – this is theresponsibility of the ‘deliverer’ organisations listed next to each action.

The deliverer organisations have been identified because in most cases they are best placed to ensurethat the action identified is indeed undertaken, in some cases through partners putting themselvesforward for actions, and in others by key players suggesting whose contribution will be important.Success will largely rest on the commitment and enthusiasm of individual partners. The Biodiversity Co-ordinator post will play a vital role in stimulating and co-ordinating action.

However, landowners and managers also have a crucial role to play in the implementation of mostaction, and their agreement and support is essential for delivery. It has not been possible to gain theagreement of every landowner in Dorset for each action, instead it is hoped they will be represented bythe major landowning, farming and forestry organisations, and through their participation in on-the-ground projects, and focused initiatives.

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4.4 Monitoring of ProgressEach Lead Partner will be asked to take a role in monitoring progress with the programme of actions intheir Topic Action Plan. This will require evaluation, on a regular basis (annually, biennially or anotherappropriate cycle) of the degree to which the responsible parties are achieving their tasks as set out inthe Action Plans. The existing Dorset Biodiversity Project database will provide the mechanism togather the monitoring information. If necessary, Action Plans can be adjusted in terms of timetable ofcompletion, appropriateness of actions, or roles of particular contributing partners.

Monitoring of progress towards biological targets will be crucial to assessing the practical difference itmakes to the biodiversity of Dorset, in terms of the quality and extent of habitat and the range andhealth of species populations. The setting of local targets and the implementation of a biologicalmonitoring strategy, will allow us to monitor progress.

4.5 Reviewing the ActionsThe Dorset Biodiversity Strategy is a working document which, given its 10 year time-scale, must adaptto changing circumstances and respond to the lessons learned through the process of implementationand monitoring.

A mid-term review of the whole strategy should be carried out in consultation with all partners in 2007,to adjust targets and actions in light of the results of monitoring, and in the context of changing issuesand threats.

Involvement in the national reporting and review process

A national reporting system will be in place via the UK BAP website at www.ukbap.org. This will alloweach LBAP to regularly update their progress towards the UK biodiversity targets. In 2005 the nationalreporting round will lead to a comprehensive examination, and re-setting of national targets which haveproved to be under or over ambitious. At this time there will need to be an assessment of whetherlocally set targets require adjustment in line with national ones.

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Action for Implementation, monitoring and review:(to be co-ordinated by the Dorset Biodiversity Partnership).

● Identify a Lead Partner for each Topic Action Plan, to be responsible for co-ordinating action.

● Set in place an annual cycle of monitoring and review of progress of actions, utilising the UKBiodiversity Action Reporting System to collate and interpret information gathered.

● Set up a Service Level Agreement with DERC to monitor change in priority habitats towardsbiodiversity targets.

● Undertake a mid-term review of progress in 2007, to adjust targets and actions in lightof the results of monitoring, and in the context of changing issues and threats.













5APPENDICES

Appendix AKey references

● Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan (1994) Department of the Environment, HMSO.

● Biodiversity: the UK Steering Group Report Vol 2 Action Plans (1995), UK Biodiversity Steering Group, HMSO.

● Tranche 2 Action Plans vols I – VI UK Biodiversity Group, English Nature.

● Working with the grain of Nature: A biodiversity strategy for England (2002) DEFRA, Defra Publications.

● Action for Biodiversity in the South-West (1997) Cordrey, L (ed)

● Dorset Biodiversity Audit (2003) Dorset Environmental Records Centre, DCC

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Appendix BImportant International, National and Local Wildlife Sites in Dorset

RAMSAR sites

Special Areas of Conservation

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Special Protection Area

Sites of Special

Scientific Interest

Sites of Nature

Conservation Interest

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Appendix CKey to habitat status tables

Local decline rate:

rapidly declining = 50 -100% decline in Dorset in the last 25 yearsdeclining = 25-49% decline in Dorset in the last 25 yearsStable = 24% increase - 24% decrease in Dorset in the last 25 years

Proportion of UK habitat in Dorset:

Endemic = 100% of total UK resourceHighly significant = 20-99%Significant = 10-19%Modest = 1-9%Low = less than 1%

Local rarity:

N/A = not applicable to marine habitatRare = less than 0.6% of the area of DorsetScarce = 0.6 - 4% of the area of DorsetCommon = more than 4% of the area of Dorset

Local threat:

Directly threatened by lack of or inappropriate management (if terrestrial)Directly threatened by e.g. anchoring (if marine)Indirectly threatened by generic factors (e.g pollution)

Potential for extending/linking current areas:

High = Good potential to extend/link habitat fragmentsMedium = potential exists to extend/ link habitat, but geomorphology (or other factor) is limiting Low = Habitat is a fixed area with little potential to extendN/A = not applicable to marine habitat

Survey priority:

Low = current information is sufficient to assess conservation statusMedium = further information is required, = to update existing auditHigh = current information is insufficient to assess conservation status

Note: Where possible expert opinion has been used to fill information gaps in completing these tables

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Appendix D Biodiversity Targets by Natural Area

Wessex Vales

South West Downs

Blackdowns

Lyme bay

DorsetHeaths

Isle of Portlandand Purbeck

South Dorset Coast

NewForest

Solent andPoole Bay

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Biodiversity targets by Natural Area

Habitat Natural Area with the Habitat restoration Habitat expansiongreatest potential forrestoration and expansion

Lowland Blackdown Secure sympathetic Re-establish grasslandCalcareous management of 30% of wildlife value: *grassland of remaining resource 5 ha by 2010

Dorset Heaths by 2005, 100% by 2010 *2 ha by 2010Isles of Portland *25 ha by 2010and PurbeckSouth Wessex Downs *200ha by 2010Wessex Vales *15ha by 2010

Lowland dry acid Blackdowns *5ha by 2010grassland Dorset Heaths *25ha by 2010

Isles of Portland *5ha by 2010and PurbeckSouth Wessex Downs *2ha by 2010Wessex Vales *5ha by 2010

Lowland hay Blackdowns *2ha by 2010meadows Dorset Heaths

Isles of Portlandand PurbeckSouth Wessex DownsWessex Vales *8 ha by 2010

Coastal & Dorset Heaths Re-establish new areafloodplain of grazing marsh#:grazing marsh 25 –50 ha by 2010

South Wessex Downs Restore 50 ha by 2010 # 50ha by 2010Wessex Vales Restore 100 ha by 2010 -

Lowland Dorset Heaths Secure sympathetic Re-establish heathlandheathland management of by 1000 ha by 2010

remaining heathlandresource by 2010

Isles of Portlandand Purbeck - -Wessex Vales - -

Cereal field All Natural Areas across South Wessex Downsmargins the South-West ESA: 300ha by 2010

No other targets

Wet woodland Dorset Heaths Achieve favourable Increase total areaWessex Vales condition over 50% of through planting and

the resource by 2010 natural regeneration:50ha by 2015

Lowland beech South Wessex Downs Restore 50 ha by 2015 Increase total areaand yew through planting and

natural regeneration:100 ha by 2015

Lowland wood Dorset Heaths Restore former or Link isolated sitespasture and Isles of Portland and degraded parkland: through naturalparkland Purbeck 3 sites by 2010 regeneration and

Wessex Vales planting: 3 sitesby 2005

Ancient & /or All Natural Areas across Secure sympathetic All Natural Areas havespecies rich the South-West management of 50% of significant potential forhedgerows remaining resource by the establishment of

2005, 100% by 2010 new hedgerows.

Reedbeds Solent & Poole Bay Restore 143 ha by 2005Wessex Vales Maintain and rehabilitate

where necessary:Fleet (51ha)Lodmoor (32 ha)Radipole (39ha) by 2005

Fens Dorset Heaths Restore priority fens NONEby 2005

Isles of Portland No target No targetand PurbeckWessex Vales Restore priority fens NONE

by 2005

For each of the habitatsshown in the followingtable the maintenancetarget is:

Ensure no loss in theextent or quality of theexisting resource of thehabitat.

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Biodiversity targets by Natural Area cont . . .

Habitat Natural Area with the Habitat restoration Habitat expansiongreatest potential forrestoration and expansion

Purple moor grass Blackdown Restore 75% by 2005 Re-establish 25 haand rush pastures by 2010

Wessex Vales Restore 50 ha by 2005 NONE

Chalk streams Dorset Heaths Restore water quality,South Wessex flows and habitatDowns diversity on SSSI’s

by 2010

Review the need and N/Apotential for restorationof remaining chalk rivers

Eutrophic No NA’s occurring in Dorsetstanding waters highlighted as ..

Coastal:

Maritime cliff Lyme Bay Improve by management Increase clifftop andand slope the quality of clifftop and slope habitat:

slope habitat: 15 ha by 202030% by2015

South Dorset Coast Increase cliff top andslope habitat:10 ha by 2020

Littoral and Lyme Bay Maintain 3 kilometres NONEsublittoral chalk by 2015

South Dorset Coast Maintain 12 kilometres NONEby 2015

Coastal vegetated Lyme Bay Restore quality ofshingle South Dorset Coast damaged or degraded

Solent & Poole Bay shingle habitats wherenatural regeneration isunlikely: by 2010 -

Coastal sand Solent & Poole Bay Restore dune grassland: -dunes 90 ha by 2010

Coastal saltmarsh Lyme Bay - -South Dorset Coast - -Solent & Poole Bay - Increase by 200ha

by 2015

Mudflats Lyme Bay Restore water quality Offset all losses due toto enable mudflat coastal defences etc:habitats to be in no target specifiedfavourable condition by 2015by 2010

South Dorset Coast Consider opportunitiesfor re-creating saltmarshby 2010

Solent & Poole Bay Increase theestuary area…

Saline lagoons Lyme Bay - -

Seagrass beds Lyme Bay - -South Dorset Coast - -Solent & Poole Bay Assess feasibility of

restoration of damagedor degraded seagrassbeds by 2010 -

Sabellaria Lyme Bay Ensure coastal water Attempt to re-establishalveolata reefs quality objectives or restore Sabellaria

ands nutrient standards alveolata reefsare achieved by 2010 where they were

formerly presentby 2015

Appendix E Acronyms used in the text

AONB – Area of Outstanding Natural BeautyA-E – Agri-environment schemes

BAP – Biodiversity Action PlanBC – Butterfly Conservation

CAMS – Catchment Abstraction Management StrategyCLA – Countryside and Landowners Business AssociationCS – Countryside Stewardship

DBC – Dorset Butterfly ConservationDCC – Dorset County CouncilDEFRA – Department of the Environment, Food and Rural AffairsDERC – Dorset Environmental Records CentreDWT – Dorset Wildlife Trust

EA – Environment AgencyEIA – Environmental Impact AssessmentEN – English NatureESA – Environmentally Sensitive AreasEU – European Union

FC – Forestry CommissionFE – Forest EnterpriseFSC – Forestry Stewardship CouncilFWAG – Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group

HAP – Habitat Action PlanHCT – Herpetological Conservation TrustHLF – Heritage Lottery Fund

JDMC – Joint Dorset Marine Committee

LAs – Local AuthoritiesLA21 – Local Agenda 21LIFE – A European funded Conservation Project

MoD – Ministry of Defence

NA – Natural AreaNFU – National Farmers UnionNT – National Trust

RSPB – Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

SAC – Special Area of ConservationSLMP – Shoreline Management PlanSPA – Special Protected AreaSNCI – Site of Nature Conservation InterestSSSI – Site of Scientific Interest

WT – Woodland TrustWLMP – Water Level Management Plan

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The Dorset Biodiversity Strategy has beensponsored and designed by

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