Landscape scale conservation and
large areas in Warwickshire
Traditionally nature conservation in Britain
has focussed on protecting nature reserves such as Sites of Special
Scientific Interest or local wildlife sites. This has been
essential to slow the loss of wildlife across the British
landscape, although it has not prevented the loss of 40% of
reedbeds since 1945 and 97% of species-rich grasslands since the
1930s.
The habitats that remain, much of which are
conserved within nature reserves, are fragmented leaving isolated
populations and limited gene pools constraining the future
viability of our native wildlife, particularly in the light of
further predicted climate change. However, these areas play an
important role in landscape scale conservation as they act as
refuges for wildlife and can form the basis for development of
larger areas for conservation; helping to restore and rebuild our
environment in the wider countryside.
Nationally and regionally there is
recognition of the importance of large areas of connected habitat
for biodiversity as they are able to support a greater diversity of
species and are more robust in terms of both habitat change and the
longer term impacts of global climate change.
In Warwickshire several areas have
been identified where landscape scale conservation could make a
real and lasting impact. The following areas are the Trust's
priority Living
Landscape areas:
Tame Valley Wetlands
The extensive wetlands of the Tame Valley
can be found to the north of the county, between Birmingham and
Tamworth. Several important wildlife sites are located along this
section of the River Tame, including the Trust's Whitacre
Heath SSSI.
Click here to find out more about a 9,500
hectare area of the Tame Valley where we are working in
partnership to create a Living Landscape. You can also download 'The Wildlife Landscape of the Tame
Valley' leaflet for more information.
The River Tame has a number of important
tributaries in Warwickshire (and Solihull) such as the rivers Cole,
Blythe SSSI and Anker, which are are included within the Tame
Valley Wetlands Living Landscape area. The existing wet meadows
alongside the Blythe and Anker are important sites
for wildlife, as well as areas where the river and its
flooplain can function naturally, which in turn will help to reduce
flood risk. Alvecote Meadows SSSI and Pooley Fields
SSSI are two Trust reserves situated along the River Anker,
important in their own right, but also in forming part of the
larger Alvecote Pools SSSI, a large area for conservation.
River corridors will benefit from further
wetland habitat creation, the reduction of intensive land uses and
re-establishing the natural processes associated with
watercourses, including naturally-functioning floodplains.
This should also go hand-in-hand with improved public access (where
appropriate), better public awareness, and partnership working with
local landowners, communities and organisations.
Princethorpe Woodlands and north
to Brandon
Within 3 kilometres of Coventry a cluster
of 16 woodlands around Princethorpe forms the largest and most
important area of ancient semi-natural woodland in the county;
covering 406 hectares and includes Ryton Wood SSSI, Wappenbury
Wood and Old
Nun Wood. Reconnecting these woodlands through sympathetic land
management, hedgerow and woodland creation will provide wildlife,
such as the wood white butterfly and dormouse, with a greater area
in which to colonise and breed. Linking these woodlands to the
significant wildlife area around Brandon Marsh SSSI and further north
to Claybrookes Marsh SSSI, The
Woodland Trust's Piles Coppice and east to Coombe Country Park will
create a landscape of regional importance.
Appeal details - find out
more here
Sowe Valley Project
The Sowe Valley Project is based on the
River Sowe in the east of Coventry. The project aims to engage and
enthuse local people to access, enjoy and enhance the river
corridor and their local green space. The project offers residents
the chance to get involved with practical conservation activities,
training opportunities, children's natural play and healthy
walking. Click here to learn more…
Southam quarry limestone
grasslands
Around Southam and Harbury exists a group
of calcareous habitats based on old quarry workings such as Harbury
Spoilbank SSSI, Ufton Fields SSSI and Stockton
Cutting SSSI. These support species-rich limestone grasslands,
wetlands and woodlands. By enhancing these nature reserves and
creating new links between them will benefit many species, such as
the small blue butterfly and rare orchids, which rely on this
unique area of the county.
Forest of Arden
On the western side of the county lies the
historic Forest of Arden landscape - a mosaic of ancient small
fields, mature hedges and small woods including nature reserves
such as Shadowbrook Meadows SSSI, Deans Green
and Temple
Balsall. By retaining pastoral agricultural management,
restoring flower rich grassland, encouraging sympathetic woodland,
hedgerow and pond management more wildlife will be attracted to
this special landscape.
Feldon Woods and
Parks
Around Stratford, between Wellesbourne,
Kineton and Ettington, there is a large concentration of historic
parkland and woodlands. Developing further connections through
increasing the amount of woodland, hedgerows and trees in the
landscape will enhance this area.
Cotswold and Edge
Hill
The extreme south of the county has some of
the areas steepest ground with grasslands, scrub and woodlands
including Radway
Meadows. Linking these isolated habitats will allow farmland
birds and insects to move through the landscape. This area also
stretches across the Warwickshire border linking with the wider
Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Severn and Avon Vale
The River Avon, its tributaries such as the
River Leam and River Sowe, and surrounding floodplain, contribute
to a valuable wildlife corridor of small wetlands, marsh, wet
grassland and wet woodland. This network of river valleys directly
link to the Severn and Avon Vale wetlands found in Worcestershire
and Gloucestershire where reconnecting the river to its floodplain
and creating new wetlands is a key aim.
Creating opportunities for wildlife on a
landscape scale can only succeed through working in partnership
with other landowners and a variety of different organisations,
government agencies and local authorities. By working together we
have the ability to ensure the survival of our British wildlife and
maintain our local distinctiveness.