|  | Nearly 150 protected wildlife sites in the South West are not in 'good condition', according to a new survey.
Government conservation advisers English Nature examined all of the South West's Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as part of a nationwide survey.
In Devon only 53% of the county's nature reserves were in good condition - falling short of the national average of 58%. The government wants to improve those sites which fall below the 'good condition' target. SSSIs are areas of land protected by law because they are home to rare plants, insects or animals. There are 200 SSSIs in Devon, covering 42,000 hectares including much of Dartmoor. Only half of the moor is considered by the report to be in a good condition, due to overgrazing and inappropriate moor burning.
 | | The report says the New Cut at Meadfoot could be improved |
Another example of a protected site which falls below the required standard is New Cut at Meadfoot in Torbay.
New Cut is Devon's smallest site of special scientific interest. It's noted for its unusual geology - unique to this part of Devon.
Currently classed as being in an unfavourable condition, the New Cut would benefit from a programme of clearance and cutting back.
In contrast, the Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliff, which is home to more than 400 different flowering plants, is classed as being in good condition.
At over 300 hectares, it is the largest and most important landslip area on the British coast. Scrub removal
English Nature is working closely with organisations such as the Dartmoor National Park Authority and the Rural Development Service to ensure the land is managed in a more sustainable way.
It says conservation measures are already in place to improve some special sites.
A programme of scrub removal combined with a grazing scheme is being used to restore dune grassland at Dawlish Warren, one of Devon's nine National Nature Reserves.
English Nature believes having livestock on the land helps to manage it and allows wildlife to thrive. "This report helps us to see how Devon compares with the rest of the country," said Philip Collins English Nature's area manager for Devon.
"It makes it very clear what needs to happen to make sure Devon's best wildlife sites are in tip-top condition.
"A wide range of organisations and individual landowners need to work together with English Nature to achieve the target and ensure that Devon's exceptional environment is maintained for future generations."
First published: December 2003
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