South West Peak Targets
The targets below relate to higher priority habitats in the South West Peak National Character Area. They have been derived in a variety of ways: summing planned contributions from major projects; evaluating the quantity of the resource which is in a degraded condition (from surveys); and an estimation of the potential which can be achieved through conservation agreements.
The targets will be shown on a spatial basis where possible.
All targets are to 2020 unless otherwise stated.
Blanket Bog
- Maintain the known extent (c.2,748 ha).
- Maintain Favourable/Recovering condition on 95% of blanket bog units within SSSIs, and move 50% from Recovering to Favourable condition.
- Secure all non-SSSI blanket bog into appropriate conservation agreements (conversion from classic schemes to Environmental Stewardship).
- Initiate the restoration of 525 ha of degraded blanket bog through stabilisation, re-vegetation and gully blocking.
Lowland Dry Acid Grassland
- Maintain the known extent (c.2,150 ha).
- Maintain Favourable/Recovering condition on 95% of Lowland Dry Acid Grassland units within SSSIs, and move 50% from Recovering to Favourable condition.
- Secure 50% of non-SSSI Lowland Dry Acid Grassland into appropriate conservation agreements.
Lowland Meadows (Unimproved Neutral Grassland)
- Maintain the known extent (c.340 ha).
- Maintain Favourable/Recovering condition on 95% of Lowland Meadow units within SSSIs, and move 50% from Recovering to Favourable condition.
- Secure 90% of non-SSSI Lowland Meadows into appropriate conservation agreements.
- Initiate the restoration of 20 ha of Lowland Meadows from species-rich grassland in priority areas, particularly to link or buffer other BAP quality Lowland Meadow habitat.
Ponds (of high ecological value)
- Maintain the known extent (c.14).
- Achieve Favourable condition on 100% of ponds of high ecological value (maintain populations of BAP or RDB species).
- Initiate the restoration of 10 of ponds in suitable locations to enhance meta-populations of great crested newts.
- Initiate the creation of 15 of ponds in suitable locations to enhance meta-populations of great crested newts.
Rush Pasture for Birds
- Maintain the known extent (c.360 ha).
- Maintain Favourable/Recovering condition on 95% of Rush Pasture units within SSSIs, and move 50% from Recovering to Favourable condition.
- Secure 50% of non-SSSI Rush Pastures into appropriate conservation agreements in wader hotspot areas by 2015.
- Initiate the restoration of 20 ha of Rush Pastures in wader hotspot areas by 2015.
Rivers & Streams
- Maintain the known extent.
- Maintain Favourable/Recovering condition on 95% of Rivers & Streams units within SSSIs, and move 50% from Recovering to Favourable condition.
- Ensure 50% of non-SSSI Rivers & Streams meet appropriate Water Framework Directive standards by 2020.
Upland Heathland
- Maintain the known extent (c.1,800 ha).
- Maintain Favourable/Recovering condition on 95% of Upland Heathland units within SSSIs, and move 50% from Recovering to Favourable condition.
- Secure 50% of non-SSSI Upland Heathland into appropriate conservation agreements.
Upland Oakwoods
- Maintain the known extent (c.390 ha).
- Maintain Favourable/Recovering condition on 95% of upland oakwood units within SSSIs, and move 50% from Recovering to Favourable condition.
- Secure 50% of non-SSSI upland oakwood into appropriate conservation agreements.
- Initiate the restoration of conifer woodlands to upland oakwood in the Goyt Valley – target to be determined.
- Initiate the restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) to upland oakwood in priority areas – target to be determined.
- Initiate the creation of upland oakwood in the Dane and Shell Brook Valley and in priority cloughs to link ancient woodlands – target to be determined.
For the other habitats listed below, targets are to:
- Maintain extent,
- Achieve Favourable condition where possible by securing into appropriate conservation agreements,
- Seek to restore and expand the habitat in appropriate locations when opportunities arise.
Hedgerows
Inland Rock Outcrops and Scree Habitats
Lowland Calcareous Grassland
Lowland Fen
Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodlands
Purple Moor-grass & Rush Pasture
Upland Flushes, Fens & Swamps
Upland Ashwoods
Wet Woodland
Wood-Pasture & Parkland