Legal protection of habitats and species

• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is a UK law which includes much of the legislation that protects wildlife in the UK
• It covers:

  • designated protected areas such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Marine Conservation Zones
  • protection of wild birds and their nests - most birds are protected except some 'pest' species and game birds that can be legally hunted
  • protection of mammal species for example otters
  • uprooting of wild plants
  • bats - these may not be disturbed and the woodworm treatment chemicals that are used in roofs where bats are present must not be toxic to bats
• Legal designation of protected areas can protect habitats and species:

  • protection of species
  • protection of habitats
  • restrictions on activities within the protected area
  • restrictions on activities outside the protected area
  • management agreements between the landowner and the designating organisation
  • access restrictions
  • internal cooperation
• Protected areas in the UK that are designated mainly for wildlife conservation:

  • Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
  • National Nature Reserve (NNR)
  • Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
  • Special Protection Area (SPA)
  • Natura 2000 sites (SACs and SPAs)
  • Ramsar sites
  • Marine Nature Reserve (MNR)
  • Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
  • Marine Protected Area (MPA)
  • Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ)