Devon's wild beauty is one of the county's greatest assets. Its environment provides us not just with amazing landscapes and wildlife
but with food, fuel, pollination, flood control and great recreational
and business opportunities. It is therefore important that we know how
our environment is faring.
These are some of the major conclusions of a newly released
'stock-check' on the county's priority species and the habitats in which
they live. The report called The State of Devon's Nature, is being
launched this Friday (7 March 2014) at a special one-day conference in
Cullompton. The report also showcases the positive differences being
made where landowners, farmers, businesses and conservationists are
working together to turn around declines in a range of species.
So who are Devon's wildlife winners and losers of recent years?
Populations of those iconic mammals, otter and dormouse, have remained
fairly stable in Devon's rivers and woodlands. Other species, including
barn owl and great crested newt, have not suffered large declines but do
face threats such as habitat loss. Targeted conservation efforts have
improved the prospects for some creatures, including cirl bunting and
southern damselfly, though their future remains challenging.
The Report concludes that the state of some of Devon's species should
concern us. Curlews, although still a regular winter visitor to the
county's estuaries, now no longer breed on Exmoor, and breeding pairs
elsewhere in the uplands have severely declined. The high brown
fritillary butterfly and the white-clawed crayfish are both in danger of
extinction in Devon. Local extinction did befall the popular water vole,
'Ratty' in Wind in the Willows, in the late 90s, before a population was
re-introduced in east Devon.
Key to the State of Devon's Nature report is a measurement of the health
of the county's natural landscapes. Here the picture is very mixed.
* Only around a third of Devon's rivers are in good condition and
many are struggling to support a diverse range of wildlife because of
pollution, man-made barriers and invasive species.
* With the support of agri-environment grants, Devon's upland
wetlands and heathlands are being better-managed by farmers. However,
large areas fail to support the range of birds and insects they once
did.
* Devon's woodlands have not been reduced in size, but do face
threats including invasive species like rhododendron, large deer and
grey squirrel populations and diseases such as ash dieback.
* As sea levels rise, sand dunes and saltmarshes are coming under
greater pressure where coastal development prevents their retreat
inland.
* Devon's sea life remains threatened by damaging fishing
practices such as bottom-trawling, by climate change and pollution.
However the Report also shows the depth of feeling that many people have
towards wildlife in Devon. Indeed, the State of Devon's Nature pays
tribute to the efforts of an army of willing volunteers who have lent
their expertise to gathering its data.
The Report is also positive about the many places in Devon where groups
and individuals have been working together to improve the natural
environment. Advice and agri-environment grants provided to south Devon
farmers have improved habitat for cirl buntings and other farmland
wildlife. Commercial business, conservation land managers and farmers
are working in partnership in north Devon's Culm grasslands. Here,
wildlife habitat, water quality and flood alleviation are all being
improved through the Upstream Thinking project funded by South West
Water.
The Report acknowledges the part being played by legislation in
producing benefits for marine wildlife. In the No Take Zone around Lundy
Island, lobsters are now five times more abundant and individuals 9%
larger than in surrounding waters. The Northern Devon Nature Improvement
Area is also a prime example of the new mood of partnership working. An
array of organisations led by Devon Wildlife Trust is working with local
communities and landowners to improve the quality of habitats and water
in the River Torridge catchment. What's more, the project is linking
physical health, mental well-being and cultural richness to the quality
of Devon's natural environment and the enjoyment it brings to residents
and visitors alike.
The Devon Local Nature Partnership, 'Natural Devon', is the umbrella
body behind the State of Devon's Nature report. Natural Devon's aim is
to get everyone in the county to work better together to ensure the
protection of Devon's wildlife, not just for its own sake but because it
underpins our high quality of life.
Chair of the Devon Local Nature Partnership is Suzanne Goodfellow.
Formerly Director of Conservation at Dartmoor National Park Authority,
she stressed the importance of partnership working: "Devon is a
wonderful place for people and wildlife! And Natural Devon is in the
business of bringing them together for their mutual benefit. We now have
a great partnership of environmental, health, community and economic
organisations working together to connect people and nature."
TV wildlife-presenter Nick Baker will be speaking at Friday's conference
in Collumpton, launching the State of Devon's Nature report, along with
Devon Local Nature Partnership's own prospectus. The conference will
bring together a broad range of interests - health professionals,
farmers, economists, planners and ecologists to discuss how to achieve
Natural Devon's vision for Devon.
Suzanne Goodfellow continued: "Our new prospectus is based on extensive
consultation with the people of Devon and sets out our priorities for
the next five years. At the conference we will draw up a list of
actions to help us achieve them. Natural Devon is also today publishing
the State of Devon's Nature report, full of information about Devon's
wildlife from a large number of expert individuals and organisations. We
thank them for their contributions and hope that the report will be used
by everyone to help them to make wise decisions about our natural
environment and enjoy finding out more."
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Photo Curlew copyright Darin Smith - All rights reserved
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The State of Devon's Nature, is being
launched this Friday (7 March 2014) - Report provides verdict on Devon's wildlife winners and losers
* New report offers insight into fortunes of Devon's wildlife
* Report warns of struggling species and suffering landscapes
* Evidence shows that ambitious, collaborative work between
landowners, farmers, conservation charities and statutory bodies offers
best way forward
* TV's Nick Baker to launch report at Cullompton conference
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