5.1 Landscape and wildlife are intimately linked. The underlying influence upon local wildlife is the combination of climate, geology, soils and topography. This controls the broad range of habitat types that can occur in an area. Detailed habitat characteristics are then shaped and refined by land use and land management activities. It is these habitat characteristics that determine the wildlife around us, and which help to shape, structure, and enliven the landscape.

5.2 The richest and ecologically most important habitats are typically those associated with the least intervention and manipulation. These are classified as ‘semi-natural’ habitats and include semi-natural ancient woodlands, broadleaved woodlands, species-rich hedgerows, species-rich grasslands, river corridors, ponds and lakes. These habitats tend to support the highest diversities of native plant and animal species and can be critical to the continued survival and propagation of many rare and scarce species. It is from these habitats that the sound of most bird song, and buzzing insects will be heard, where the fragrance of wild ramsons or honeysuckle will be smelt, where the sights of spring and summer flowers will be seen, and where the freedom of circling buzzards will be felt. So, as well as being ecologically important, these features also help to enliven our landscapes and to make them special.

5.3 At first glance it can appear that the landscape of the area is still a rich wildlife resource, comprising a tapestry of green fields, hedgerows, woodlands and river corridors. Closer inspection however reveals a very poor and fragmented distribution of good semi-natural habitats. Studies published back in 1990 indicate that only 6% of the area is characterised with semi-natural habitat of high wildlife value. This is quite low compared with the national average and very low compared with the rest of Europe. The semi-natural habitats that do remain are typically small and are often isolated from each other. This tends to reduce their wildlife value and viability since it is harder for most species to survive and flourish in small isolated sites.

5.4 Farming is the main land use and land management activity in the area and so exerts a major influence upon the local ecology and landscape character. As elsewhere, farming here has responded to consumer demands and European subsidies, resulting in the adoption of modern and intensive farming techniques. So fields that were once used to produce hay or were kept as permanent pasture and which sustained a whole variety of wildlife from harebells to barn owls, have been converted to silage or arable crops that often support little wildlife.

 5.5 Inorganic fertilisers, herbicides and field drainage systems have been introduced which further reduce wildife interest and habitat quality. Fields have been amalgamated and traditional field boundaries have been removed or are neglected, and changes to traditional grazing regimes have resulted in both over-grazing of some pastures and under-grazing of many hillside pastures. These changes have significantly reduced opportunities for our wildlife to thrive. However, where sensitive farming regimes have been sustained, important areas for wildlife remain and can be particularly important for farmland birds such as yellow hammers, grey partridge and corn bunting which have all suffered declines nationally. The areas around Keynsham, Corston and Marshfield also remain important for a number of rare arable weeds, which have suffered significant declines nationally.

5.6 Farming is not the only influence upon the quality and viability of wildlife habitat. The decline of traditional woodland management has resulted in the reduction and loss of many woodland species, and increased pressures from urbanisation and recreation have taken their toll. The increase in horse and pony paddocks has been particularly significant in some areas where grazing pressures have reduced the natural diversity of grasslands.

5.7 Of the good semi-natural habitats that do remain, the key components include semi-natural ancient woodlands such as Peppershells Wood in Compton Dando, neutral grasslands such as those near North Hill Farm in Chew Stoke, calcareous grasslands of the Cotswolds, some of the river corridors particularly the Avon and its tributaries, the remaining network of ancient species-rich hedgerows such as those at Priston, East Harptree, Compton Dando and Nempnett Thrubwell, the standing waters of Blagdon and Chew Valley Lake and post-industrial sites such as the coal batches of the Somerset coalfields and the stone mines at Combe Down at the edge of Bath. Many of these features are designated as Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs), and reflect a great variety of habitat types and landscape characteristics

5.8 A number of these sites are also of national or international importance. The calcareous grasslands make an important contribution to the national calcareous grassland resource, and three different calcareous grasslands are designated as SSSIs. The Combe Down stone mine complex and Monkton Farleigh mines, which includes Brown’s Folly, are of international importance, designated as Candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs). These hibernation sites for Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats, and the mixed pastoral landscape around the south of Bath provides important feeding grounds and access routes for the bats. Brown’s Folly is also important as a hibernation site for at least nine other bat species, making it one of the most diverse bat sites in the country.

5.9 Chew Valley Lake is of international importance, designated as a Ramsar site (under the Ramsar Convention) and Special Protection Area (SPA) for migratory birds; and Blagdon Lake is a nationally important wetland site (designated as an SSSI). A number of semi-natural ancient woodlands are of national importance (designated as SSSIs), including Cleaves Wood and Long Dole Wood. There are also key areas of mixed habitats of national importance (designated as SSSIs) including Harptree Combe and Monkswood Valley.

5.10 So the range of landscape features across the area has the potential to support a rich diversity of wildlife. However, the viability and integrity of habitats present depends upon land use and land management, and has been significantly reduced in recent times. The rich habitats that remain are fragile and vulnerable to further change.

5.11 Measures are therefore needed to help protect and enhance the habitats and species that remain, and in some areas habitat creation and restoration may be required. The maintenance and creation of habitat links and wildlife corridors will be particularly important. Careful stewardship of all these features is essential if we are to sustain wildlife-rich landscapes into the future.