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 05 July 2008 04:14 BST

Heathland species 'in danger'

Monday, 21 Jan 2008 09:31
Species reliant on England's heathland are under threat, conservationists warn

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Endangered species are being put at even greater risk of extinction because of poor lowland healthland across England, conservationists have warned.

Nearly 60,000ha of England is covered in heathland, providing a vital habitat for a number of plants, birds and other animals.

A new survey of 100 lowland heathland areas released today by Natural England warns that all inspected sites were in poor condition and did not meet the standards set for sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs).

Factors including a reduction in available habitat and appropriate land management are harming the prospects of creatures including stone curlews, nightjars and sand lizards.

Some birds need the short vegetation that heathland provides while species including lizards rely on open ground and vegetation structure.

Lowland heathland is a priority habitat under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, which aims to improve the management of heathland sites and encourage the establishment of new sites.

Natural England chair Sir Martin Doughty backed conservation efforts to save heathland areas and said giving more areas protected status should be considered.

"We need to act now to help save these areas from total degradation to ensure that the plant and animal species supported by them are not lost forever," he added.

"There is clear evidence that many of the larger heathlands – such as the Devil's Punch Bowl in Surrey and the East Lizard peninsula in Cornwall - managed for conservation and recreation are in better condition.

"To help restore other sites to these high standards we must ensure that they are properly targeted through stewardship schemes to secure appropriate management."
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