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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.

Blythe Anker Tame wetlands

In the north of the county the extensive wetlands of the Tame Valley, where you can find Whitacre Heath SSSI and Kingsbury Water Park, and the wet meadows alongside the Blythe and Anker, such as Alvecote Meadows SSSI and Pooley Fieds SSSI, which form part of the Alvecote Pools SSSI, are an important existing resource. These corridors will benefit from further wetland habitat creation and the withdrawal of existing intensive land uses, such as arable cropping, from the river's edge. Re-establishing the natural floodplains will help wildlife and support flood defence measures.

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.

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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.