Sites of Special Scientific Interest
London’s 36 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) cover approximately 4,000 hectares and support a wide range of nationally and internationally important habitats and species.
Natural England is charged by Government to work with land managers to bring 95% of all SSSIs (by area) into favourable or recovering condition by 2010 through our advice and grant funding. In 2010, only 76% of London’s sites were in this target condition.
Although the majority of London’s SSSI sites are in ‘favourable’ or ‘recovering’ condition, a small number of large grassland sites are in ‘unfavourable condition’ and account for a large proportion of the land not meeting the PSA target. For example, the extensive acid grassland at Richmond Park SSSI shows signs of under-grazing despite the presence of large herds of fallow and red deer. A cattle grazing trial was undertaken in 2008 over four hectares of grassland to establish whether a change in management will result in an improvement in condition, and to gauge public acceptability of cattle grazing. On other sites, the lack of a traditional agricultural infrastructure (grazing animals, machinery) and expertise contribute to these management problems.
The results of the trial have been positive, and have informed the development of a Grassland Management Plan, which will see the reintroduction of cattle grazing at Richmond Park in 2011. The development of an agreed Grassland Management Plan means the percentage of London’s sites in target condition has risen from 76% to 91%.
Condition Assessment Programme
Natural England assesses the condition of all SSSIs as part of a six year cycle. These condition assessments are carried out on all the SSSIs in England and will continue to be carried out on a regular basis to help us monitor the health of these sites in the long-term. To monitor sites, Natural England divides SSSIs into smaller more practical monitoring areas called ‘units’. and each one is assessed against a set of targets, or target ranges, that have to be met for the unit to be judged in ‘favourable condition’.
A list of Special Features, and the targets against which they are measured on a unit, are specified in a set of favourable condition tables for each SSSI. The Special Features are those that led to the SSSI being notified in the first place, and each feature will have one or more measurable characteristics that can be used to determine its condition. For example, if a Special Feature is a rare plant species, then the assessment process is likely to include a measure of its population size and distribution within the unit. If a particular habitat is a Special Feature then the measures will include habitat extent, habitat structure and species composition. In London we have been assessing the condition of a number of sites this year including Richmond Park, Farthing Downs and Happy Valley and Inner Thames Marshes.
Current Projects and Initiatives
| Frays Farm Meadows | |
|---|---|
| Summary description | Fray’s Farm Meadows SSSI is a wet grassland site in Hillingdon, which has never been intensively farmed, and consequently supports an incredible range of plants birds and mammals. The site has proved difficult to manage, due to its inaccessible location and the specific management techniques required. Wild London is working with the site manager, London Wildlife Trust, to secure positive long term management approaches through a Higher Level Stewardship Agreement. Achieving this will bring the SSSI back into recovering and eventually favourable condition. |
| Latest update/progress | Cows were introduced to graze the site in May 2010 and will remain there over the Summer. Grazing controls old growth of vegetation and allows new species to flourish. Wild London is now in the process of drawing up an HLS agreement with London Wildlife Trust, which should secure grazing and other management approaches over a 10 year period. The agreement will also include some capital works which will provide important infrastructure, and physical improvements to the land itself. |
| Supporting documents from NE | Press release - Cows MOOve in to rescue West London Meadow |
| Further information/web-links | London Wildlife Trust - Frays Farm Meadows |
| Ingrebourne Marshes | |
|---|---|
| Summary description | Ingrebourne Marshes SSSI is significant for fen and reedbed habitats, which supports a range of species including wintering and breeding waders, passerines, wetland invertebrates and water voles. Ownership of the site is complex as it is part Local Authority and part privately owned. Some units of the SSSI are already in favourable condition, but others need more tailored management and Wild London is working with the site owners to achieve this through HLS agreements. |
| Latest update/progress | Wild London is continuing with the condition assessment programme which we carried out on some units last summer. The different compartments of the site can be quite varied in character and habitat, and the way they are managed. Therefore each has to be assessed individually. Last year the condition assessment indicated that some units needed more targeted management techniques to ensure the important habitats are in favourable condition. On these parts of the SSSI, Wild London is guiding the owner/occupiers through the process of applying for an HLS agreement, so that conservation techniques can be agreed and financially supported. |
| Supporting documents from NE | |
| Further information/web-links | Hornchurch Country Park |
| Richmond Park | |
|---|---|
| Summary description | Richmond Park is the largest SSSI in Greater London and is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation for stag beetle and is a National Nature Reserve. The Site supports a wealth of wildlife but is designated particularly for its extensive acid grassland and invertebrate assemblages associated with dead wood and veteran trees. The site is grazed by a mixture of approximately 600 red and fallow deer. Natural England and the Royal Parks are considering other management options, including cattle grazing, with the objective of improving the condition of the site’s grassland. |
| Latest update/progress | A cattle grazing trial over an area of 4ha has been carried out since 2008. A mixture of dexters and highland cattle have been grazing over winter and have had a positive impact on the grassland habitat. The grazing seems to have been popular with the public and there have been no objections to the trial. As a result, Natural England has established a Grassland Management Plan with the Royal Parks. The Grassland Management Plan outlines a variety of options from grazing small, targeted areas to larger scale grazing to integrate the herds into the landscape. Docile breeds such as highland cattle will be used which will allow full public access to all the cattle-grazed areas. A consultation with local interest groups is underway. The agreed plan will take effect in Autumn 2011. The development of the plan has led to the percentage of London's SSSIs in favourable or recovering condition to jump from 76% to 91%. |
| Supporting documents from NE | |
| Further information/web-links | The Royal Parks - Richmond Park |
