Background
Natural England has a statutory duty to act for the benefit of SSSIs, including those on Dartmoor, and to take reasonable steps to further the conservation and enhancement of the SSSIs (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and subsequent amending legislation).
Natural England is evidence-led and uses evidence to inform decisions concerning the management of SSSIs. To do this, Natural England – and stakeholders involved in land management – need access to the best available evidence to inform their decision making.
This review aimed to:
1) summarise the information in Natural England’s databases about the condition of Dartmoor SSSIs, and
2) summarise the available published and grey literature on the methods for managing SSSIs on North, South, and East Dartmoor and comparable sites.
The review presents evidence that can inform the effective management of Dartmoor’s SSSIs, but it does not prescribe management regimes, nor does it make policy recommendations.
Scope
We conducted a rapid evidence assessment of the literature, covering three topics:
- Current and historic condition of Dartmoor
- Causes of changing condition on Dartmoor
- Management options for improving condition on Dartmoor
The review’s focus was Dartmoor (particularly North, South, and East Dartmoor SSSIs), but data on the management of comparable areas was also considered.
Findings
The review finds that the units in those Dartmoor’s SSSIs are largely in unfavourable condition. The causes of unfavourable condition are multifaceted, with overgrazing, undergrazing of key livestock (e.g., early summer hardy cattle), overburning, peat cutting, and drainage each contributing to the issue. The role of external factors such as nitrogen deposition and climate change are not well evidenced on Dartmoor but should not be ignored.
We can address some issues by adjusting management practices, such as changing grazing and burning methods, to operate at sustainable levels. This could enhance the resilience of the designated features. In some situations, we may need to intervene further to restore habitats, such as by reversing drainage in wet habitats.
The review presents the best available evidence on the management interventions that are most likely to improve SSSI condition. This review may, therefore, support Natural England and stakeholders with ongoing conversations and decisions around the management of SSSIs on Dartmoor.