Designated protected areas

• Process -

  • designating a protected area establishes the legal status of the protection
  • the owners of the habitat that needs protection may not wish to manage their land for the benefit of wildlife in the same way that the statutory authorities do
  • establishing a legally designated protected area should ensure that the the habitat is protected
  • in the UK there are many different types of designated areas and vey few are state owned so they are protected by legal restrictions and management agreements
• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's)

  • designated by UK legislation
  • protect areas with the best examples of the UK's flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features
  • a management plan is agreed with the owner who must inform the governmental conservation organisation if they wish to carry out an 'OLD' - an Operation Likely to Damage
  • these vary between sites but often include ploughing, use of pesticides or fertilisers, drainage, burning or tree plating/removal
• National Nature Reserves (NNRs)

  • designated by UK legislation
  • are the best examples of SSSIs and usually cover the best examples of complete communities of species or habitat types
• Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)

  • designated under the EU Habitats Directive
  • each member state in the EU must identify the habitats within its country that are of international importance, then protect them
  • The habitat types vary widely between different countries
  • designation may also restrict activities in surrounding areas such as drainage
• Special Protection Areas (SPAs)

  • designated under the EU Birds Directive
  • each member state in the EU must identify the places within its country that are of international importance for birds then protect them
  • the bird species involved vary widely between different countries
• Ramsar Sites -

  • The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental agreement that protects wetlands
  • most countries in the world are are signatories
  • it was originally intended primarily to protect important waterfowl habitats
  • the Convention has broadened its scope to cover all aspects of wetland conservation and wide use, recognising wetlands as ecosystems that are extremely important for biodiversity conservation in general and for the wellbeing of human communities