Effectiveness of UK Legislation and Management in Producing Nature Conservation Outcomes: a Case Study of the Purbeck Heaths.

Abstract

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are a form of nature conservation management using protected areas to improve specific site features or wider biodiversity. This study focuses on the UK case study of the Purbeck Heath NNR. Formed through the partnership of seven stakeholders, the management aim of this reserve is to restore the Purbeck Heath to its natural habitat and increase overall biodiversity through landscape-scale management. The Purbeck Heath covers designated protected areas such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protected Areas (SPA), and Ramsar Sites. This study investigated whether the management used within the protected areas of the Purbeck Heaths will benefit overall biodiversity goals and fulfil legislation. Site observations were used to assess public compliance in accordance with the legislation and management measures of the specific site, whilst personal communications were carried out to gain representations of what key ecological management measures are currently used on site. Bayesian Belief Networks were used to evaluate how different designated features within the NNR will continue to perform under current management methods. Results showed that protected designated features within the reserve would improve under the landscape-scale management of the Purbeck Heath NNR with ecosystem services, biodiversity, protected target species, and protected target habitat likely to increase despite climate change likely to increase. Ecosystem services are likely to increase the most in SSSIs. Protected target species and protected target habitat are likely increase the most in Ramsar sites. Invasive species are expected to increase within Ramsar sites, Special Protected Areas, and Special Areas of Conservation. Spatial zoning, natural succession and fragmentation are likely to decrease the most in SSSIs and Ramsar sites. Discussions showed that the main conservation outcome for the Purbeck Heath NNR is to increase landscape connectivity, climate resilience and overall biodiversity by placing nature first. Overall, the Purbeck Heath NNR has the potential to fulfil the legislation aims set out under the various designations of SPAs, SACs, SSSIs, and Ramsar sites.