PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Sefton coast proposed SAC comprises the largest and most diverse dune system in England and is one of the finest and most extensive in Europe. It covers just over 2 100 hectares, stretching along 19 km of the Merseyside coast from the mouth of the River Mersey estuary to the River Ribble and extending 3 km inland. Important for at least three priority habitat types under the Habitats Directive, it is also home to numerous scarce and threatened species such as the natterjack toad (Bufo calamita), of which it holds 40% of the UK population. In the last few decades, an estimated 40-45% of the original Sefton dune system has been lost to development (including airports, golf courses, housing and road infrastructure). In addition, over half a million visitors use the area for recreational purposes every year. The survival of the remaining sand dune and its component wildlife is therefore dependent upon integrated and sympathetic land use management.
OBJECTIVES
At present, only about half of the area is managed in a manner that is favourable to nature conservation. The main aim of the project is therefore to develop a strategic plan to manage the whole of the SAC by consolidating management planning, improving conditions for key species and carrying out management actions to protect the duneland habitats whilst also raising awareness and support amongst visitors and locals alike.
The project will also support the purchase of key sections of the coastal dunes and heath; establishment of nature reserves over the most sensitive locations; development of educational and information nature trails at appropriate sites; development of nature conservation management plans in co-operation with golf course managers and other land owners; habitat restoration and species recovery actions; and finally workshops to share the experiences of this programme with managers of similar dune SACs across Europe.
RESULTS
At a strategic level one of the main outputs of the project is the Nature Conservation Strategy for the cSAC, which sets the framework and responsibilities for the long-term management of the area. It is one of a series of strategies linked to the Sefton Coast Management Plan. It interprets the aims of the Habitats Directive into local goals, and states a programme of action to be undertaken by the different bodies responsible, all of whom appear committed to seeing the plan resourced and implemented. The beneficiary made effective use of GIS to achieve this. An accompanying monitoring programme of the EU interest is also incorporated in the Strategy.
Of particular importance for post project management was the introduction in 1998 of a Wildlife Enhancement Scheme (an agri-environment scheme). The Wildlife Enhancement Scheme was a management agreement scheme for Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), to positively maintain and enhance their special interest by combining Natural England’s knowledge of wildlife management with the owner or occupier’s skills and knowledge of the land. The scheme could offer approx £5000 to individual farmers to carry out conservation friendly work that fits in with the Nature Conservation Strategy. The project’s GIS was used to help focus this scheme for the coast of North West England.
As regards land purchase, LIFE funds were only used for land within the cSAC. However, in total, some 202 ha were bought of which 98 ha are in the cSAC.
Altogether, 21 management plans or conservation guidelines were produced, significantly more than the 11 originally foreseen in the project application. For golf courses the plans have a potentially high demonstration value.
As far as on-site restoration and management actions are concerned, an extensive programme of work was carried out (at 14 sites compared to the eight listed in the application) ranging from scrub removal to fencing and tree removal. Grazing has been reintroduced in a number of sites and the effect of grazing is covered in the best practice note and other publications.
These site works led to the establishment of best practice guidance in a number of areas, which should be of interest to other dune managers across the EU and gives the project a significant demonstration role. Best practice initiatives have been launched including:
Dune habitat management: mainly at Ainsdale NNR which is one of the finest examples of a dune system in the UK, a variety of conservation issues are demonstrated here;
Removal of conifer plantations: a controversial issue with locals, nevertheless the technical aspects of restoration work provide valuable lessons for others;
Dune habitat management on golf courses: a particular success especially with the golf clubs;
Dune recreation management: results of a 10-year restoration programme can be now be seen, providing useful insights for others; and
Co-ordinated management: the Sefton Coast Management Scheme has already received a lot of attention as a good example of co-ordinated coastal management.
For rare species (Annex II, Annex IV species) the following work took place:
A detailed survey of petalwort (Petalophylum ralfsii) and a Species Action Plan for the Sefton Coast;
A survey of great crested newt Triturus cristatus;
An annual survey and revision strategy for the natterjack toad; and
Surveys of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis). These surveys have confirmed the presence of sand lizards at dunes outside of statutory conservation sites and formal nature reserves, essentially along railway tracks. The national railway company asked the beneficiary to prepare national guidelines to conserve sand lizards along railway corridors. A Sand lizard Conservation handbook was produced.
On public awareness, the beneficiary produced well targeted didactic material aimed at all interest groups. It has also actively promoted the results of the project through talks, seminars, articles and papers, and networked across Europe with other project managers. Good examples include:
A workshop in the autumn of 1997 on 'habitat management for species recovery' to focus on the results of demonstration projects and especially the recovery strategies for the sand lizard and natterjack toad.
An Atlantic region dune management conference in 1998 to review the achievements of the project and best practice in Europe for the protection of priority duneland habitats. This was well attended by representatives from the UK and the rest of the Atlantic Biogeographic Region. Outline agendas and list of participants were discussed with the Commission beforehand. Proceedings were published in March 2001 at the beneficiary’s own expense; and
A book about the site and the work undertaken (Sands of Time) was published.