Safeguarded sites making the grade, insists watchdog
Nearly 83 per cent of land designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in England is in a "favourable or recovering" condition, according to the latest assessment of the Government's wildlife adviser, Natural England.
Sir Martin Doughty, chair of the organisation, said the prospects "were looking good" for England's most important wildlife sites.
He highlighted that in the last year some 8,000 hectares of uplands peat bog had been restored in the Peak District. He also singled out the improvements made to some 15,000 hectares of inter-tidal mudflat and salt marsh as well as the programme of work to enhance lowland heath.
"As a result of this year's progress, more than 78,800 hectares of our most important habitats are now under favourable or recovering condition. Natural England could not have achieved this outcome without the hard work of many land managers and our other partners, and I congratulate them for that," said Sir Martin.
However, he warned that although the natural environment was stabilising within designated sites, the prospects were not so good for the wider environment.
"Early indications from our forthcoming State of the Natural Environment report show that the unprotected environment is not well equipped to deal with the threat of climate change, development, agricultural changes and other pressures - more has to be done to prepare and adapt to these issues," he said.
