Create Priority Landscapes

Somerset Levels

Somerset Levels. Photo: Guy Edwardes/2020VISION

what we do

Priority Landscapes

Bigger, better, more joined up

4 Priority Landscapes
68 Nature reserves
1,700 hectares of land

Bigger, better, more joined up

Our reserves provide special habitats which are vital refuges for a wide range of wildlife, but we know that it will not be possible to reverse the declines of wildlife by protecting these sites alone. Natural habitats have been lost on an unprecedented scale and we now have smaller, isolated, yet wildlife rich pockets of land that are surrounded by land that is inhospitable for many plants and animals. Common and rare species are now in decline as they cannot travel freely to feed and breed. We must reverse this - and quickly.

Nature Recovery Networks join dots. They connects our remaining wildlife-rich sites in a certain area to create a dynamic, robust and naturally functioning large-scale landscape for the benefit of wildlife.

Filling in the ecological gaps

After ‘core’ sites like nature reserves and protected sites are managed in the best way for wildlife, we then look at how to connect these to other significant, large areas of land that, if managed well, could have a positive impact on the biodiversity and abundance of species. We then identify which smaller parks, community green spaces and our gardens can also contribute as vital 'stepping stones' between wildlife ‘corridors’ such as roadsides, hedgerows, field margins and rivers for example. Land if any size can play a crucial role as part of a national Nature Recovery Network - it works at any scale. 

Find out more about Nature Recovery Networks below:

Nature Recovery Networks

We have four priority landscapes

Levels & Moors, Somerset's Living Coast, Taunton, Mendip Hills

living landscape map

Collective impact

We work with farmers, landholders and the community to provide wildlife-friendly advice in terms of connecting green spaces for the benefit of wildlife. We also work closely with local authorities to help influence the plans and policies that either help us to promote a Living Landscape, or could prevent it. For example, flood and water level management issues are likely to become more acute on the Somerset Levels and on the coast, as climate change worsens and our Living Landscapes approach provides a geographical focus to this work.

chancellors farm

Chancellors Farm - Steve Bond

Nature's Networks Story Map

Find out more about how Somerset Wildlife Trust are working to connect up our wildlife habitats.

Nature's Networks Story Map

Somerset Ecological Networks Report 2019

Somerset's Priority Landscapes

Each Priority Landscape covers a large area of land: a naturally functioning landscape often encompassing several of our nature reserves and other important wildlife areas. Each Landscape consists of:

Core areas of high quality wildlife habitat

Often these will be protected areas, nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) etc. These are the vital sanctuaries from which wildlife will be able to re-emerge into the wider landscape once it is restored.

Connections between core areas

Continuous corridors of suitable habitat, such as river valleys or diverse hedgerows, act as ‘wildlife highways’ allowing species to travel through areas disturbed by human influence as they disperse through the landscape to find suitable living conditions – this is even more important in the face of climate change. Habitats can also be connected by a series of stepping stones, rather than a large swath of continuous habitat. Stepping stones are smaller, unconnected natural areas, pockets of protected land that act as stop-off points for wildlife on the move – for example a series of copses in open grassland.

Permeability across the whole landscape

Land between the core areas and connecting habitats needs be more accessible to wildlife. It may not all be pristine habitat but we can make changes to the way that land is managed so that it is easier for wildlife to move through and re-colonise the landscape.

It is also important that we manage the wider countryside more sustainably so that we can continue to benefit from the essential ecosystem services provided by the natural environment, such as clean air and water, healthy soils, food and flood management.

Somerset Levels

Somersel Levels - Paul Harris/2020VISION

Priority Landscapes

Levels and Moors

Find out more
grey seal

Grey seal - Alexander Mustard/2020VISION

Priority Landscapes

Somerset's Wilder Coast

Find out more
A tree overhanging the River Tone in French Weir Park in Taunton

The River Tone - Ian Brown

Priority Landscapes

Taunton

Find out more
Draycott Sleights nature reserve

Draycott Sleights - Jeff Bevan

Priority Landscapes

Mendip Hills

Find out more

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