Priority habitat survey for the National Trust

Last summer Ecology Partners won a competitive bid to carry out a priority habitats survey for the National Trust on the coast of Cornwall. Priority habitats (sometimes also referred to as BAP or Biodiversity Action Plan habitats) include a range of important semi-natural habitat types identified as being the most threatened and in need of conservation in the country .

As experienced habitat surveyors and botanical specialists Ecology Partners were ideally placed to undertake this project. With over 400 miles of coastline, Cornwall is not short on dramatic headlands, exposed cliff tops and of course, beaches much of which qualifies as priority habitat. We surveyed over 2000 hectares in total across an area stretching from Godrevy to Whitsand Bay. The area covered included sections of the coast from the cliff-base up to about 2km inland. Habitats included semi-natural maritime grasslands and heath, cliff-scrub and fragments of coastal woodland as well as extensive areas of adjoining farmland. The National Trust works closely with its tenant farmers to support sustainable farming practices and the brief also required us to identify grassland with potential for restoration to greater species-richness.

We designed a survey methodology in response to the brief and assembled a small team of botanical specialists to carry out the surveys. Priority habitats were mapped in the field and the results used to produce digital mapping accurately showing the distribution and extent of target habitats within the survey area. Our mapping will be used by the National Trust as a new baseline against which quantifiable future changes in habitat extent and quality will be assessed to inform future management and assist in delivery of the long-term strategic aim to improve the contribution the National Trust’s land makes to nature conservation.