This report explores environmental and ecological sample data acquired from video and grab surveys of The Needles Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) during September and October 2025. The survey builds on previous investigations undertaken in 2014 and 2018 and contributes to the evidence base used to inform conservation advice and condition assessments for designated MCZ features.

The survey comprised 30 drop-down video transects and 30 mini-Hamon grab samples, which were used to characterise seabed habitats, assess associated biological communities and identify non-native species. Key findings indicate that the seabed within The Needles MCZ is dominated by subtidal coarse sediment and subtidal mixed sediments, with infralittoral and circalittoral rock habitats recorded throughout the site. Habitat Features of Conservation Interest, including subtidal chalk and seagrass beds, were confirmed, predominantly within the northern part of the MCZ. Macrofaunal analyses demonstrated that subtidal mixed sediments supported higher species richness, abundance and biomass than other sedimentary habitats, while multivariate analyses identified a significant relationship between sediment composition and faunal community structure.

Ecological quality assessments indicated that benthic communities across the MCZ are generally in high ecological status, with no evidence of widespread disturbance. Six non-native species were recorded, most notably Crepidula fornicata and Monocorophium sextonae. Comparison with 2018 data suggests that the distribution and extent of broadscale habitats within The Needles MCZ have remained largely stable over time, with only minor changes in habitat extent and composition.

Envision Marine Ltd (ENVISION) were commissioned by Natural England to undertake this study which aimed to assess the distribution and condition of subtidal maerl communities within four areas of the Falmouth Bay to St Austell Bay Special Protection Area (FBSAB SPA).

Sidescan sonar and underwater imagery surveys were carried out by the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (CIFCA) and ENVISION. ENVISION analysed the video and still imagery to quantify live and dead maerl cover, classify habitats, and assess conservation features. Data interpretation combined geophysical data with the biological sample information to produce predictive maps of benthic habitat distribution.

Results from the analysis of 53 video tows and 524 still images are presented. Sandy habitats were recorded in nearshore habitats with seagrass patches. Further offshore areas were dominated with kelp and macroalgal communities on rock, interspersed with sand, coarse sediments, and maerl, and coarse sediments common in greater depths. The extent of maerl was patchy in distribution, with smaller patches often sheltered by rocky habitats. From Old Wall to Bizzies maerl is found in small pockets amongst rock habitats. Within Gerrans Bay maerl habitat is predicted in larger expanses, particularly in the southwest. Maerl is found to lesser extents in inshore areas within Veryan and Mevagissey Bays. Where maerl was recorded, the condition and proportion of live maerl was found to be in favourable (healthy) condition. No invasive species were recorded, and anthropogenic impact was minimal.

The study produced benthic habitat distribution maps, along with recommendations for refining maerl classification, assessment of maerl biotopes, and future habitat mapping. Findings contribute to the conservation and management of marine habitats within the FBSAB SPA.

Natural England’s advice as regards the ecosystem role of sprat (Sprattus sprattus) and appropriateness of applying Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) approaches to the management of sprat fisheries was sought by Defra Quota Policy & Negotiations Team. This report was requested to support the North Sea and Channel Sprat Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Sprat are an important forage fish in the North Sea and English Channel marine ecosystems. Sprat are predators of zooplankton, competitors with other forage fish, prey for piscivorous fish, marine mammals, and seabirds, and a resource for economically important commercial fisheries.

This report reviewed evidence of the ecosystem role of sprat and used an ecosystem model of the North Sea (Ecopath with Ecosim) to simulate the impact of changes in sprat biomass on the wider ecosystem. Both direct and indirect ecosystem responses to change were estimated: direct responses were linked to the availability of sprat as prey for predators, while indirect responses were linked to changes in biomasses of other species, and the associated impacts of predation pressure and food availability.

In the Northeast Atlantic, the necessary tools and expertise exist to provide evidence to underpin Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) that recognises the impacts of environmental variation on production and assesses the performance of different management strategies against ecosystem objectives such as the potential trade-offs between forage fish harvest and predator needs.

The Peatland Restoration Register is a map layer describing the location of peatland restoration projects in England. It was created to support recording delivery against the Environmental Improvement Plan commitment to restore 280,000 hectares of peatland by 2050. In time, the project seeks to pull together data from a range of peatland restoration data sources to provide a comprehensive picture of restoration from which statistics can be derived to monitor progress towards these commitments.

The map currently consists of data from three projects: The Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme (NCPGS), Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environment Agency Conservation Projects Database (EACPD). The map and publishable data can be viewed and downloaded from the England Peat Map Data Portal and the Natural England Open Data Geoportal. It is published under an Open Government Licence.

The report details the creation of the register data standard and explains how existing data is fit into the standard. The data are then clipped to the England Peat Map extent layer to produce a map of peatland restoration projects in England. Summary statistics are provided from the available data, confidence in reported figures is constrained by limitations in existing data fitting into the new data standard. Limitations are described and future improvements detailed.

This report presents research undertaken to test a set of principles which were developed to guide best practice in engaging people with nature-based interventions, the Principles for Engaging Communities with Nature. The principles were developed in response to increasing recognition of the importance of connecting communities with nature to support both people and the natural environment. The principles were co developed with Natural England teams, colleagues across Government, Arm’s Length Bodies, non governmental organisations and representatives from the voluntary and community sector, drawing on shared experience and best practice.

The research brought together evidence from community projects, partners and existing literature to assess how far the principles reflect current practice and to identify opportunities to strengthen them in ways that increase participation and support more inclusive engagement with nature.
It also explored how the principles could be supported by a set of underpinning standards. The development of standards is identified as a next step, building on the findings of this research.

The principles are:

• Targeting – to support equality, diversity and inclusion
• Understanding Communities – to understand local needs, context and priorities
• Co-design – to work with communities to shape solutions
• Evaluation – to support learning, improvement and accountability
• Sustainability – to ensure long term benefits for people and nature

The question the research set out to answer was: How well do the principles reflect existing practices, what changes to the principles are needed, and how can they be developed into standards?

The methodology involved triangulating findings from three approaches to assess whether the principles developed through a co development process reflect current best practice across organisations working with people and nature:

• A literature review to assess whether the principles are reflected in current practice across organisations working with communities and nature. As the principles were developed with a range of organisations, the assumption for this project was that adherence to the principles constitutes best practice.
• Two rounds of interviews with the same community projects engaging people with nature.
• A partner roundtable to validate and refine the principles, drawing on stakeholder perspectives and experience.

At each stage, recommendations for the development of the principles into a set of standards were sought. Generative Artificial Intelligence was used in a transparent way to support data organisation, extraction and comparison to support the work of the researchers.

This 2025/26 District Level Licensing (DLL) Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) is part of the wider DLL Monitoring and Evaluation Framework that was adopted in April 2024. The results from each AMR feed into a Five-Year Evaluation report (the first was published in early 2026). This AMR covers the financial year 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026.

Each year, the AMR provides the annual monitoring information detailing the ecological and environmental outcomes as well as DLL licence and financial records.
The following topics have been reported on in this AMR:

• Uptake of the DLL Scheme
• Compensation pond delivery
• Licensed and projected development impacts on ponds
• Compensation pond monitoring results
• Staffing requirements to operate the DLL scheme
• Income and expenditure of DLL

Overall, this AMR highlights the success in the delivery of DLL ponds since the launch of DLL and the high suitability of DLL ponds for GCN, which are created/restored in line with best practice guidance. There has been an overall net gain in the number of suitable GCN ponds and in the number of occupied ponds as a result of the scheme. The licence records show the progression of applications through the DLL process. The DLL income and expenditure is broken down to show how the developer fees are used to cover the costs of the scheme, including the monitoring and maintenance of each pond for 25-years.

This report is written with the assumption that the reader has a general understanding of wildlife licensing. As a result, it does not detail the specific licensing requirements for great crested newts. To support adequate background knowledge, readers are encouraged to review the two sources listed below before proceeding, particularly regarding wildlife licensing and, more specifically, DLL.

District Level Licensing for great crested newts – our story
Developers: how to join the great crested newt district level licensing scheme – GOV.UK
Success builds on success for newts and developers – Natural England blog

This report describes the condition of seabed habitats within the Essex Estuaries Special Area of Conservation based on surveys carried out in 2023. Overall, the site remains in a generally favourable condition. The types and distribution of seabed sediments were much the same as in previous surveys, although there was a slight increase in muddier areas. The communities of species present within these habitats were also broadly in good condition, with all areas rated as having “good” ecological status.

However, some notable changes were observed. Overall, the species composition appears to have shifted since earlier surveys, from polychaete-dominated assemblages toward communities characterised by bivalves and ascidians. The number and spread of non native species has increased, including several species not previously recorded. Marine litter has also increased, both in quantity and spread, and is now found across the whole site. Levels of most chemical contaminants were low, although one metal (chromium) exceeded recommended thresholds at several locations.

In summary, while most of the feature attributes assessed in this report remain in favourable condition overall, there are some signs of change and increasing pressures, particularly from non native species and litter. Continued monitoring and management will be important to ensure the long term health of the estuaries.

The benefits for children and young people of engaging in nature and spending time in natural environments are well evidenced. However, there is a knowledge gap about the barriers and exclusionary dynamics that children and young people, as a diverse demographic group, encounter in their engagements with nature.

In this context this evidence briefing responds to two key aims: first, to report on barriers that affect children and young people of all ages (0-25 years) and their access, use and enjoyment of natural environments informally and in educational settings, and second, to identify interventions and approaches which help overcome these.
Methodologically the briefing uses a standardised, blended review of evidence (academic and grey literature) published between 2010-2026 in the UK to synthesise findings on barriers. It then uses a multi-stage, standardised, AI assisted selection process to identify different organisations and initiatives supporting nature engagement specifically for children and young people.

The briefing details four key barrier categories which variously shape and limit children and young people’s nature relationship. These barriers operate in intersectional ways and are structural (lack of good quality green space); experiential (high senses of nature risk, low senses of nature confidence), cultural (feelings of nature not being for them, competing interests/priorities) and planning/management related (poor playground facilities, lack of nature space in schools).

The briefing also outlines approaches to tackle barriers and enable more inclusive engagements with nature and natural environments. It concludes with summaries of initiatives which range from building family confidence for making nature fun, enhancing young people’s agency and peer mentoring for youth leadership.

This report highlights nine peer reviewed research projects published in 2025 and 2026 which evaluate the effectiveness of Agri Environment Schemes (AES) in England, both before and after the creation of Environmental Land Management schemes. Commissioned through Natural England’s Agri Environment Evidence Programme and funded by Defra, the studies primarily assess the environmental, landscape and social outcomes of Countryside Stewardship and Higher-Level Stewardship.

Five projects primarily examined environmental outcomes, covering scrub habitat monitoring, the performance of low input cereal crops, woodland tree health, pond biodiversity and the responses of bush crickets to AES. Results show that biodiversity gains under AES can be achieved, including for some plants, pollinators and insects, however challenges remain in delivering the full range of environmental outcomes, for example improving and sustaining habitat condition.

Two projects focused on landscape character outcomes: one evaluated the condition and importance of stone walls in upland areas, while another provided the latest repeat assessment of the effects of AES on landscape character, showing improvement since the previous survey five years earlier. Although landscape character has improved nationally due to AES, in some areas and for some landscape types AES makes a smaller contribution.

One project focused on social outcomes, exploring how agreement holders’ connection with nature influences AES delivery. Agreement holders with stronger nature connectedness tend to show higher environmental ambition. The final project synthesised existing monitoring evidence on scheme impacts across environmental themes. Evidence gaps persist around water quality, climate resilience and public engagement, highlighting priorities for future monitoring and scheme development.

This report presents an evaluation of the Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMM) project within the Thames Basin Heaths (TBH) Special Protection Area (SPA), undertaken to inform the first formal review of the Delivery Framework since its inception in 2011. The evaluation assessed whether the SAMM project is delivering its intended objectives, the effectiveness of its roles and services, and how monitoring could be improved to evidence future effectiveness. The evaluation was commissioned by the Joint Strategic Partnership Board.

A mixed‑methods, theory‑based approach was adopted, combining analysis of existing monitoring data (including visitor surveys, wardening data and bird counts) with semi‑structured interviews and a workshop with Local Planning Authority officers and Natural England staff and a recommendations workshop. Quantitative and qualitative evidence was triangulated to assess performance against the objectives set out in Schedule 3 of the Delivery Framework.

The evaluation finds that the SAMM project is largely meeting its objectives, fully delivering eight of the eleven Schedule 3 objectives and partially delivering the remaining three. Despite increased housing development and visitor numbers, protected bird populations have remained stable or increased, suggesting that SAMM activities are contributing to mitigating recreational pressure. Wardening, education and facilitation were identified as the most effective services, while monitoring and digital communications require further development to better evidence behaviour change and impact.

The report concludes that the SAMM project is fulfilling its overarching purpose but will require targeted refinement, particularly in monitoring, resourcing and stakeholder engagement, to sustain effectiveness and respond to future development pressures.

This report explores environmental and ecological sample data, acquired from video and grab surveys of the Studland to Portland SAC in 2017-18 intended to serve as the first point in a monitoring time series. The Studland to Portland SAC is an inshore site located on the Dorset coast within the ‘Eastern Channel’ Charting Progress 2 (CP2) sea area. Annex I Reef features and three subfeatures (Circalittoral rock, Infralittoral rock and Subtidal stony reef) are designated for protection within the Studland to Portland SAC. Key findings indicate that depth was the strongest environmental driver of variation in biological data, with an apparent transition between infralittoral and circalittoral zones at a depth of approximately 19-21 m. Annex I Reef subfeatures, infralittoral and circalittoral bedrock reef, were observed across the site. Evidence was collected that indicates the presence of stony and biogenic reef (Sabellaria and Ampelisca spp.). Comparison with 2009 data suggests an overall increase in the number of morphological descriptors across three broadscale habitats: ‘A3.1 High energy infralittoral rock’, ‘A4.2 Moderate energy circalittoral rock’ and ‘A5.6 Subtidal biogenic reef’. Recommendations to aid future monitoring of the site include a revised video survey approach, fixed quadrats and the introduction of a closed area for an impact study.

This document provides detail on what the Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) partnership delivered for water, soil and air quality in Phase 5 (2021 to 2025) across England’s river basin districts.

This report reviews the effectiveness of Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF). CSF is an advice-led initiative delivering targeted support that enables voluntary action by farmers and land managers to reduce water and air pollution and mitigate flood risk.

Findings from interviews in East Devon, six years on from the River Otter Beaver Trial

The River Otter Beaver Trial took place between 2015 and 2020, during which interviews were conducted with people who reported conflicts with beavers. Beavers remained in the catchment thereafter. Six years after the Trial concluded, the same researcher returned to interview people living with beavers in the post-project context, providing an opportunity to explore how earlier findings may have evolved. Ten interviews were conducted: two repeat interviews with participants who took part in the earlier study, and eight with new participants. Features of the earlier interviews were seen to have evolved, and additional features emerged. The findings, detailed in this report, comprise of: four themes with practical application for practitioners (preparation and reactivity; appropriate communication; shared decision-making; ongoing support and monitoring); two underlying themes which influence individual expectations of the management response (emotion; learning to live with beavers); and three underlying themes which influence what management response can be undertaken (unfamiliarity with the governance of beaver management; wider knowledge-sharing; restrictions or limitations).

This report presents these findings, supported by the words of the people interviewed. The findings underscore the individual nature of beaver case management, as there are context-specific elements of human experience, perspectives, and expectations. Predicted conflicts or opportunities may not align with how individuals experience a scenario, or value the species, landscape, or features within it. When engaging with people living with beavers, there is a vital need to understand individual experiences within their place-based contexts.

This report provides a comprehensive examination of how people in England engage with blue spaces, including rivers, lakes, canals, beaches, coastline and the sea. Using three years of data from the Adults’ People and Nature Survey (A‑PaNS), it assesses how frequently people visit blue spaces, how engagement varies across population groups, and how blue‑space visits compare with visits to other natural environments.

The report also analyses the characteristics of recent blue‑space trips, including activities, travel patterns, perceptions, spending during the visit and the role of blue spaces as main or secondary destinations. A segmentation analysis identifies distinct types of blue‑space visits based on motivations, activities and whether visits were considered to be exceptional (not routine).

Qualitative focus groups provide additional insight into how people define blue spaces, what they value in them, the barriers they encounter in making use of them, and what might encourage greater engagement.

For more information on The People and Nature Survey for England (PANS001) project

Brood management involves taking broods of hen harriers from grouse moors, rearing them in captivity, and later releasing them back into the wild. This method was predicted to increase the confidence of grouse moor managers that impacts of nesting hen harriers on grouse can be legally managed, and so reduce illegal killing or disturbance of hen harriers on grouse moors.

Brood management was trialled between 2018 and 2024 by a partnership group consisting of the Moorland Association, the International Centre for Birds of Prey, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Hawk and Owl Trust and Natural England.

Natural England was the partner responsible for evaluation of the trial. Four reports were produced: a report on hen harrier population modelling (published by the British Trust for Ornithology), two social science reports, and an overall evaluation report (links below).

The England Ecosystem Survey (EES) project is part of the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme, which is funded by Defra. EES collects soil, vegetation and landscape data for a range of measured variables. This document is for the users of the England Ecosystem Survey (EES) data and those interested in its methods. It describes the field methods used to collect the Year 1 EES Vegetation and Landscape survey data. This includes detailed instructions on preparing for the survey, what data to collect and how, and the equipment required.

The basic sampling unit is a 1km² known as a monad. A stratified random sample of monads, representing the diversity of England and its regions, is surveyed. The period from March 2023 to March 2024 was the first year of the EES 5-year monitoring baseline. Detailed vegetation surveys occur at up to six points in the monad in 2m x 2m vegetation plots, co-located with soil plots. Further data is collected from the surrounding 1ha squares and from hedgerows, riparian features, ponds and lone trees associated with the 2m x 2m plots. Monad wide data is collected for small woods, groups of trees, ponds, watercourses, hedgerows and arable field margins. Landscape assessments are also carried out within the monad.

For information, please view England Ecosystem Survey (EES)

The report presents findings from interviews conducted as part of the social science midpoint evaluation of the Hen Harrier Brood Management Trial (HHBMT). The trial, part of the government’s Hen Harrier Action Plan, tested reducing the density of active hen harrier nests on grouse moors via translocation, to reduce the predation of hen harriers on grouse. This reduced pressure on grouse, in theory, was meant to lead to changes in the perceptions and behaviours within moorland communities, and ultimately a decrease in the illegal persecution of hen harriers.

The report provides and evaluation of both the process of brood management and its impacts, particularly in terms of any attitude and behaviour change (and the dynamics between them) amongst those who have participated directly in the trial. The research in this report was carried out by Natural England social scientists and evaluation specialists. It is based on analysis of 19 semi-structured interviews carried out with grouse moor owners, managers and keepers as well as with Natural England staff all of whom had been directly involved in the trial between 2018-2022.

The analysis provides evidence that the brood management trial is changing attitudes and behaviours among those grouse moor owners and keepers who have participated in it and improving their views that hen harrier predation of grouse is manageable. The report also identifies that participants recognise that change in attitudes and behaviours takes time and that different levels of support exist within and across the grouse shooting community for both brood management and coexistence with hen harriers.

This report presents findings from a survey conducted as part of the evaluation of the Hen Harrier Brood Management Trial (HHBMT). Natural England commissioned an online survey of those who were actively involved in the management of grouse moorland. The survey was conducted between July and August 2024 and received 63 responses.

The trial, part of the government’s Hen Harrier Action Plan, tested reducing the density of active hen harrier nests on grouse moors via translocation, to reduce the predation of hen harriers on grouse. This reduced pressure on grouse, in theory, was meant to lead to changes in the perceptions and behaviours within moorland communities, and ultimately a decrease in the illegal persecution of hen harriers.

The report presents the findings of the online survey, including views on the effects of the brood management trial on participating estates, views on the effects of the trial on hen harrier numbers, and explanations for the increase in nesting hen harriers on grouse moors observed at the time.

The survey findings indicate that brood management was seen by respondents as a positive step to enable the hen harrier population to coexist with local interests. However, there might be limitations to what they would be willing to accept in relation to the further rollout of the intervention.

The Hen Harrier Brood Management Trial was undertaken in England between 2018 and 2024 to assess whether brood management could contribute to hen harrier recovery by reducing conflict between hen harriers and driven grouse shooting. This evaluation combined data from brood management operations, nest monitoring, satellite-tagged birds, wildlife crime investigations, population modelling, and two social science studies of moorland managers (see related records).

Fifteen broods of hen harriers were taken from grouse moors, reared in captivity, and re-released. During this trial, numbers of wild nesting hen harriers in England increased substantially, with the strongest increases occurring on grouse moors where brood management was available. Population modelling indicated that this increase could not be explained by the direct productivity benefits of captive rearing alone, and was more consistent with improvements in survival and/or settlement rates of wild birds. However, illegal killing of hen harriers continued throughout the trial.

The trial suggests that availability of brood management led to more hen harriers successfully breeding on grouse moors. These increases in hen harrier nesting numbers appear likely to have been due to a reduction in illegal activity in some areas. However, illegal killing remains a significant constraint on recovery, and the trial did not demonstrate a widespread reduction in this. Future recovery is likely to require a combination of cooperative management approaches, monitoring, enforcement and surveillance tailored to local circumstances.

The Marine Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment (mNCEA) programme integrates ecological, societal, and economic data to enhance understanding and inform sustainable management of England’s marine environment. This project focuses on intertidal peats, an under-reported yet ecologically and culturally significant component, by developing a preliminary spatial dataset and a draft data standard for consistent future recording.

The dataset includes point and polygon geometries of peat sites and exposures, alongside non-spatial records of sources and related events. Designed with Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability (FAIR) principles, the standard supports interoperability with terrestrial peat datasets and flexibility for future expansion.

A preliminary map was created by collating existing data, identifying 544 sites and capturing 39 exposures at 12 locations through high-resolution imagery and geological data. Limitations in data availability and imagery interpretation highlight the need for further work. Additionally, a protocol for assessing the natural capital value of intertidal peats was developed, identifying challenges in applying market-based valuation methods and opportunities for methodological improvement.

The outputs provide a foundational resource for future intertidal peat mapping efforts.

This report presents the findings of a 2021 seabed survey of the Orford Inshore Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). This site, which is designated for the protection of the broadscale habitat, ‘subtidal mixed sediment’ lies in the southern North Sea and covers an area of approximately 72 km². During the survey eighty sediment samples were collected within and outside the MCZ boundary at sixty sample sites using a mini-Hamon grab, with a further six sample stations targeted with drop-down video, although poor visibility rendered the video imagery unusable. Particle size analysis of the sediment samples indicated that most samples were subtidal mixed sediments, with varying dominance of gravel, sand and mud. Macrofaunal analysis of the samples showed that they could be categorised into four distinct infaunal assemblages, the most prevalent of which was a rich assemblage of macroinvertebrates living within soft sediments and / or on the mosaic of pebbles and cobbles. This was not well matched to existing biotopes described in the Marine Habitat Classification of Britain and Ireland (V04.05) which could be due to the relative paucity of offshore data informing the classification. Additional objectives of the study included comparing two sampling strategies, comparative evaluation of data acquired during a previous survey in 2012 and providing recommendations to inform future monitoring of the site.

This report presents findings from the first dedicated monitoring survey (2018) of the Whitsand and Looe Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), designed to provide a baseline for future assessment of the site. The imagery survey was designed to provide targeted information on the extent, distribution, structural, and functional attributes of the Pink Sea-Fan, Eunicella verrucosa, including information on the characteristics of the supporting habitat, and physical and chemical properties within the MCZ. The extent and distribution of the Sea-Fan Anemone, Amphianthus dohrnii, is described in a limited capacity.

The seabed was found to be a mix of rocky and sandy habitats, with rocky areas being most common. Overall, habitats appeared similar to those mapped in earlier surveys, suggesting no major changes in their extent or distribution. Water conditions such as temperature, oxygen, and salinity were typical for the area.

Pink Sea-Fans were widely recorded both inside and outside the MCZ, primarily on rocky habitats. The supporting habitat for E. verrucosa was widespread at the survey locations. Indicators of population condition, such as branching (a sign of healthy growth), were common, while signs of damage or disease were relatively rare. However, most images collected were of poor quality, meaning that only basic presence or absence could be recorded and more detailed analysis was limited.

This report presents the findings of the Natural Beauty Assessment undertaken for areas within and surrounding the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge. It identifies landscapes that are likely to meet Natural England’s criteria for Natural Beauty and could form a provisional Candidate Area for potential designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The assessment followed the process set out in Natural England’s Guidance for Assessing Landscapes for Designation as a National Park or AONB (updated June 2021). It was informed by detailed desk studies, extensive field survey work, and engagement with local authorities and technical stakeholders. The process was stopped before this assessment was tested through a Statutory and Public Consultation, as would have been the next step in the formal designation process, so it is worth noting Natural England considers this a draft report.

This assessment has resulted in the identification of a proposed “candidate area” comprising land that demonstrates high levels of outstanding natural beauty. It is important to note that the boundary of this area is indicative and transitional, rather than a definitive line on the map. Consequently, a GIS file will not be provided alongside this assessment.

At the time of commissioning, Natural England intended to complete the full designation process for the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge. However, in May 2025, Defra confirmed it could no longer fund the National Landscapes designation programme. As a result, Natural England made the difficult decision to stop work on the Cheshire project.

Although the designation process has been discontinued, Natural England is committed to sharing relevant evidence that may be valuable to Local Authorities, partners, and stakeholders. This report, therefore, publishes the Natural Beauty Assessment, which outlines the levels of natural beauty identified within the study area.

The findings are intended to support local planning, conservation, and landscape enhancement initiatives.

This report sets out the findings of the natural beauty assessment undertaken for areas adjacent to, but outside of, the existing Chilterns AONB. It identifies areas that are likely to meet Natural England’s natural beauty criteria and could form a provisional Candidate Area as part of a Boundary Variation Order of the existing Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) designation.

Following the process set out in the Natural England Guidance for Assessing Landscapes for Designation as a National Park or AONB (updated June 2021), the assessment was informed through detailed desk studies, extensive field survey work and partnership working with local authorities and key technical stakeholders.
The process was stopped before this assessment was tested through a Statutory and Public Consultation, as would have been the next step in the formal designation process, so it is worth noting that Natural England considers this a draft report. 

This assessment has resulted in the identification of a proposed “candidate area” comprising land that demonstrates high levels of outstanding natural beauty. It is important to note that the boundary of this area is indicative and transitional, rather than a definitive line on the map. Consequently, a GIS file will not be provided alongside this assessment.

When the report was commissioned, Natural England intended to complete the designation process to extend the existing Chilterns AONB, via a boundary variation order. However, Defra was not able to continue to fund Natural England for the National Landscapes designations programme, so Natural England made the difficult decision to stop work the Chilterns boundary review. Although the project to extend the boundary has been discontinued, Natural England is committed to sharing relevant components of the collated evidence base where it is anticipated that this material will be of value to Local Authorities, as well as other partners and stakeholders, in supporting their own projects and plans. To that end, Natural England is publishing the draft Natural Beauty Assessment, which outlines the levels of natural beauty identified within the search area.

The existing boundary for the Chilterns National Landscape is unaffected and remains in place.

Related National Character Area Profiles

• Upper Thames Clay Vales National Character Area
• Chilterns National Character Area
• Thames Valley National Character Area
• Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Claylands National Character Area

The River Kent SSSI, SAC and its associated tributaries (Cumbria, England) support vital, UK populations of endangered, white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) and the freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera). The Life R4Ever Kent Project is a LIFE funded project aiming to restore and revitalise the River Kent and to ensure future resilience in the system. This involves monitoring the catchment for invasive signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) as well as developing the knowledge of existing populations of white-clawed crayfish and freshwater pearl mussels.

Natural England aims to use this project to provide further field validation for the use of eDNA-based techniques in ecological management and conservation projects and to ensure the sensitivity and reliability of published assays. In 2022, an eDNA survey was conducted in the River Kent catchment. The results indicated the presence of crayfish plague which was not consistent with traditional survey findings and the absence of signal crayfish. Since then, an updated assay has been published by Strand et al. (2023) revealing the original assay used from the 2022 River Kent project (Vrålstad et al. 2009), was amplifying a closely related species, Aphanomyces fennicus. This further calls into question the reliability and accuracy of the 2022 results. To examine these results further, the eDNA surveying of these sites has been repeated.

The overarching aims of the Life R4Ever Kent Project eDNA surveys are:

To use eDNA methods to better determine the presence of white-clawed crayfish across the River Kent SAC and upstream tributaries to aid ark site selection if translocation of white-clawed crayfish populations is required.
To use eDNA-based survey methods to detect the presence of freshwater pearl mussel populations.
To utilise eDNA as a monitoring method to detect the presence of crayfish plague and signal crayfish in selected catchments in Cumbria.
To contribute to further field validation of freshwater invertebrate species assays to understand the key challenges of eDNA application.
Evaluating eDNA results from the original crayfish assay (Vrålstad et al., 2009) and those of the improved assay (Strand et al., 2023) and re-testing sites previously suspected positive for crayfish plague.
During this phase, seven subprojects were conducted across Cumbria with specific aims and project partners. The data provides significant evidence for the stability and extent of white-clawed crayfish populations within the catchment. This study has provided further evidence for several potential, white-clawed crayfish ark sites locations, and we advise that further physiological considerations should be given to these sites before utilisation. Alongside this, we would recommend implementing an early detection monitoring programme for crayfish plague throughout the River Kent SAC, allowing for prompt action to be taken in the event of an outbreak.

eDNA surveys found no evidence of signal crayfish migration from their known locations at Windermere, nor any evidence of crayfish plague within these populations. We advise that these populations are regularly monitored as part of a proactive management strategy to identify their movement early, with the aim of limiting potential damage to surrounding white-clawed crayfish populations. Within this context, we would support an investigation into signal crayfish population control in this area or eradication efforts.

There was a clear distinction in the results at sites surveyed using both crayfish plague assays; positive amplification using the original assay (Vrålstad et al. 2009) and no amplification with the revised assay Strand et al. (2023). This evidence suggests that historical River Kent eDNA results may be attributed to non-target amplification of A.fennicus. We recommend that such results be disregarded as they are likely to be erroneous and unreliable. This project highlighted the importance of continual development of eDNA methodologies in the light of new scientific publications and that any eDNA data should always be considered in conjunction with other contributing factors such as historical presence and traditional survey outcomes. To provide further confirmatory field validation for the Strand et al. (2023) assay, we recommend that it is used as part of an active crayfish plague outbreak investigation. Further studies may benefit from confirming the presence of Aphanomyces fennicus via sequencing using a PCR assay (e.g. Oidtmann et al., 2006).

eDNA surveying also highlighted several potential low-density freshwater pearl mussel populations (River Lune, Liza). Limited knowledge of recent species history at these sampling locations, warrants an investigation into other potential freshwater pearl mussel sites and further validation of the freshwater pearl mussel assay (Carlsson et al., 2017; Mauvisseau et al., 2019). Future eDNA surveys on freshwater pearl mussels would benefit from focusing on potential low-density populations of freshwater pearl mussels to confirm detection accuracy. Further projects may also wish to trial larger pore size filtration methods to obtain greater sample volumes in those areas where filtration is particularly challenging.

Overall, this phase of the Life R4Ever Kent eDNA surveying successfully examined the extent of white-clawed crayfish, signal crayfish, crayfish plague and freshwater pearl mussels across sites across Cumbria. This work has provided vital data to inform further project work, identifying unknown freshwater pearl mussel and white-clawed crayfish locations and evidence for suitable reinforcement/reintroduction sites. Reducing the spread of invasive signal crayfish and remaining clear of crayfish plague should remain a priority and we highly recommend the implementation of a monitoring programme for such a purpose.

This report was commissioned to update the national threat status of the leaf beetles and their allies in Great Britain, following the previous assessment in 2014 (NECR161 edition 1). The assessments were undertaken using the most recent IUCN Red List criteria and guidelines. The taxa included all species in the family Chrysomelidae and those in the related families Megalopodidae and Orsodacnidae.

This report is the Method Statement for Version 2026 - 1 of the England Green Infrastructure Mapping Database (Issued May 2023).

The report sets out the methods applied to develop the Green Infrastructure mapping along with the first iteration of the Index of Multiple Environmental Deprivation for England (IMED) and the Environmental Equity Index for English Built Up Areas (EEI).The naming protocol for this version of the database has changed to provide a year of issue and number of iteration (such as 2026 – 1, 2026 – 2 etc) in order to make the date and iteration of each version clearer. However, this does not mean that all content from an individual version has been updated and each module retains a version number and date as set out in the database Mapping Guide on the Green Infrastructure Framework website. The guide can be accessed here.

Because the database now contains material from a range of versions, the methodological descriptions will reference the version where changes were last made to the relevant module.

The report details the methodological approaches taken in developing all the content that has been directly created by Natural England (or contractors). No methods are detailed for any data sourced from third parties (even if included as a specific layer within the database) and information regarding how such data was created should be sought from the respective data owner.

The previous version of this report TIN228

This report provides the results of an aquatic macroinvertebrate survey following on from previous surveys conducted in 2022 The survey results were also used to evaluate the conservation value of each compartment and the overall condition of the site. The survey area included eight sampling compartments between Tilbury Fort and the north of Mucking Marshes.

Invertebrate samples were collected in waterbodies using sweeps at different layers of the waterbody profile including floating vegetation, benthic layer and the submerged edge of the nearside bank. Waterbody characteristics were determined by sampling water within the surface 15cm of water. Abiotic parameters were recorded in the surface 10cm of water including pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, temperature (all measured using a Hanna HI83303 Aquaculture Photometer). In addition to this, at each sample point, information was recorded on exposed and submerged bank profiles, channel width and depth, and levels of grazing, poaching, and shelving.

The survey recorded 27,687 specimens. Of these specimens 239 taxa of aquatic invertebrates were identified with 180 of these identified to species level. All compartments supported a number of Red Data Book (RDB) species, Notable species and local species. In total one species of RDB1 odonata, five species of RDB3 beetles, one RDB3 mollusc, 27 notable beetle species and three notable hemiptera were recorded.

Managing Registered Battlefields has been jointly developed by Natural England, Historic England, Forestry Commission, and the Battlefields Trust. Published in 2026, it brings together 30 years of experiences managing these sites since the first Registered Battlefields were designated in 1995.

It is designed to support advisors, land managers, and communities who have an interest in the management of Registered Battlefields in England. It is a supplement to Natural England’s publication Nature Recovery and the Historic Environment.

These sensitive landscape-scale historic sites face unique challenges today. Sustainable management requires an integrated approach that brings together farmers, land managers, and specialists from the historic and natural environment sectors.

Through a series of case studies and best practice Managing Registered Battlefields shows the potential for land designated as Registered Battlefields to deliver more for people, nature and heritage, whilst continuing to produce food and growing the rural economy.

This research explores the role of existing farmer groups in supporting engagement with emerging nature markets in England. The UK government aims to mobilize significant private finance for nature recovery, but successful nature markets depend on widespread participation from landowners and managers. Aggregation, particularly through farmer groups, is a key mechanism for farmers to access private finance and create new revenue streams. By leveraging existing trust-based relationships, these groups can act as intermediaries and lower barriers to entry for their members.

Using a mixed-method approach, the study compiled a database of 245 farmer groups, surveyed 28 of them, and conducted in-depth interviews with a sub-sample of facilitators. Findings indicate that while farmer groups show a moderate interest in nature markets for income diversification, their engagement is limited by concerns over market risks, lack of regulation, and long-term contracts. Most groups lack experience with private investment and formal governance structures, and facilitators often have part-time, insecurely funded roles without the necessary legal or financial expertise. The research concludes that while some groups are well-positioned, widespread engagement cannot be assumed. Recommendations include providing specialist advice and support to facilitators, establishing a central hub for credible information, and creating networking forums to build confidence and capacity for successful participation in nature markets.

This report was commissioned to assess the sensitivity of marine fish and shellfish species to a range of predefined pressures. A method is designed and applied to make assessments of the sensitivity of 29 marine species (6 elasmobranchs, 16 bony fish and 7 shellfish) to 40 anthropogenic pressures.

Of the assessments made, approximately two-thirds of the species-pressure combinations were assessed as being sensitive and one-third as not sensitive. Approximately 40% of the species-pressure combinations could not be assessed, either due to data deficiency, no direct effects or in a small number of cases the pressure not being relevant to the species.

The sensitivity assessments presented are simplifications of highly complex ecosystem responses to anthropogenic pressures. They should be treated as a high-level screening of generic, hypothetical responses of average populations in central niche conditions to the specific benchmarks and not an impact assessment. They do not consider local site-specific conditions, indirect effects of pressures (i.e. where the pressure could be acting on the species through the supporting habitat or resources), or cumulative or in-combination effects. All these factors should be considered when applying these assessments to specific sites and activities.

While there are limitations to these sensitivity assessments, valid inferences and screening of species which are likely to be sensitive to pressures are made. The sensitivity assessments provide a tool to help highlight species that will need careful consideration when determining appropriate activity levels and management of marine resources.

Please note the report was written and finalised in 2019.

The survey area was covered on foot, with the surveyor using professional experience to target locations most likely to support the expected notable species. Locations of notable plant species were recorded to 1-metre as 10-figure Ordnance Survey grid references. The presence of notable species was recorded using the DAFOR (Dominant, Abundant, Frequent, Occasional, Rare) Scale. To describe the sward in more detail the quadrat methods of the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) were used. This included two-metre square quadrats and the cover of each species was estimated using the Domin Scale.

The results showed that the survey area was mostly mesotrophic grasslands. Ten notable species were located including two Near Threatened (NT); Cynoglossum officinale and Puccinellia fasciculata and eight of lesser concern of threat on the England Red List.

The area of the survey with the greatest value was the southern parts of sub-compartments TFM6 and TFM7 where the ‘MG6a Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland, proposed Hordeum secalinum sub-community’ swards contain – in abundance – many of the characteristic grazing-marsh species. Other notable areas for grazing-marsh include the southern part of TFM13, a large part of TFM8 and the northern half of TFM13. All parts of TFM6, TFM7, TFM8 and TFM13 retain enough of their grazing-marsh character to be restorable under sensitive management.

All the survey sub-compartments have value for their large populations of typical grazing-marsh grassland species of modest note.

This Evidence Review of the ecological impacts of the recreational hunting of coastal wildfowl (‘wildfowling’) was commissioned by Natural England and part-funded by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).

Understanding the role of organised recreational activity in disturbing or causing mortality to wildlife is essential for effective nature recovery, sustainable Protected Area management and proportionate regulatory decision-making. This is particularly relevant for wildfowling – the lawful harvesting of certain wild ducks, geese, rails and waders – as it involves intentional lethal harvest which can raise concerns about its compatibility with nature conservation objectives where this occurs within Protected Areas specially designated for their internationally and nationally significant populations and/or assemblages of wild birds.

To review and assess the available evidence relating to the impacts of wildfowling, simplified systematic literature reviews, along with more bespoke reviews where relevant, were conducted to identify the reported effects of waterbird hunting, in particular the potential impacts of mortality and disturbance on coastal wildfowl.

The Evidence Review is presented in three Parts (see below) alongside an overall Executive Summary. Part I compares the evidence presented in Parts II and III and evaluates its overall strength and relevance to draw overall conclusions.  Part II focuses on the published and peer-reviewed literature, along with providing a contextual summary of national bird population trends. Part III identifies and reviews the grey literature and unpublished sources of evidence, provides further contextual information about wildfowling in the UK and evaluates the role of coastal wildfowling mortality on waterbird populations using both the peer-reviewed and grey literature and more novel data.

The Review also highlights key knowledge gaps throughout and makes a number of recommendations for further consideration by Natural England and other stakeholders.

The Peatland Restoration Roadmap sets out a pathway towards the ambition set out in the Environment Improvement Plan to bring 280,000 hectares of peatland under restoration by 2050. Natural England was commissioned by Defra to deliver the roadmap project, but the roadmap itself has been developed collaboratively with the peatland restoration community to incorporate their expertise, views and delivery plans.

The project has developed a definition of the area of peatland under restoration using a natural function led approach. This definition is supported by describing restoration outcomes and the stages of progress peatlands can be expected to go through as restoration activities are carried out. The changes in specific aspects of natural function along a restoration response trajectory were also developed at a high-level.

The definitions and response trajectories underpin a restoration delivery pipeline which provides a snapshot of the peatland restoration actions planned or completed by partners between 2021 and 2050. The data for this pipeline was collected through two online surveys, as well as including restoration delivery data from the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme.

Finally the report presents findings from extensive participatory stakeholder engagement carried out by Dialogue Matters which identified challenges and actions needed to realise England’s restoration ambitions. These findings are presented alongside thematic analysis of the delivery pipeline data. The full stakeholder research report, including a collaborative vision of what peatlands could look like in 2050 is presented as supporting information.

The Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme (NCPGS) aims to restore 35,000 hectares of degraded peatland. Administered by Natural England, it provides funding for both planning and preparation (Discovery Grants) and on-the-ground restoration works (Restoration Grants). ICF and partners were commissioned to evaluate its process, impact, and value for money. This evaluation aims to understand the scheme’s successes and areas for improvement, producing findings to inform the transition to future funding including the government’s Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs). The evaluation also assesses the wider context of peatland restoration, including private funding, sector capacity, and landowner attitudes. Data were available to assess the scheme’s performance from its outset until March 2024. One of the recommendations of this report is that a final impact evaluation should be conducted upon the scheme’s conclusion.

A supporting document providing Natural England’s commentary on the recommendations proposed by ICF in this report is available, along with six case studies looking at some NCPGS projects in greater detail.

This document sets out Natural England’s Plans for developing AI capabilities, aligning with the Natural England Strategic Policy Statement.

It outlines key steps to increasing use of AI responsibly: laying the foundations, improving operational efficiency, strengthening evidence and decision‑making, enhancing public engagement, organisational productivity and knowledge management, developing workforce capability and governance.

The plan also describes priority activities which will be undertaken in Natural England.

Effects on soil nutrients, tree flora, ground flora, decayed wood and tree regeneration away from release pens

This study examined the ecological effects of pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) releasing on ancient semi-natural woodlands (ASNWs) at varying distances from release pens, with relevance to current and future distance-based licensing requirements for gamebird releases near designated conservation sites. Twenty woodland sites across England and Wales, many designated as SACs and/or SSSIs, were surveyed. Each site contained a single pen holding 600–8,000 pheasants. Habitat quality was assessed along transects beginning 5–10 m outside pen edges and extending to a minimum of 1 km, avoiding game management features such as feeders or game crops. Sampling targeted ground flora, soils, invertebrate resources, and tree flora during winter 2023/24 and spring–summer 2024.

Pheasant encounters declined nearly tenfold from pen-edge plots to control areas, confirming a strong gradient of bird activity. However, soil nitrate, phosphate, and potassium levels showed no significant variation with distance, nor were there increases in bare ground, weed abundance, or shifts in plant communities towards higher Ellenberg N values. Ancient Woodland Indicator species also showed no degradation near pens. Nonetheless, ground flora species richness was reduced within 250 m of pens, and tree seedlings were least abundant closest to pens, indicating possible impacts on sensitive or early-growth vegetation. Decaying wood volume was consistent across plots except for higher levels in control sites.

The clearest distance-related patterns occurred in tree epiphytes: nitrogen-tolerant lichens and bryophytes were nearly twice as abundant near pens, while nitrogen-sensitive species were reduced up to ~100 m, suggesting localised nitrogen enrichment. These findings support refinement of release pen placement guidance, particularly in designated woodlands.

A selective review of evidence with a focus on two unpublished PhD theses

Releasing pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and red legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) for shooting is widespread across lowland UK, yet the ecological effects of this practice on ground dwelling invertebrates remain only partially understood. This selective review summarises published evidence relating to possible effects of released pheasants and red-legged partridges on ground invertebrates inside and alongside release pens.

The focus of this review is two PhD theses (Callegari, 2006 and Pressland, 2009) that have previously received limited peer-review relating to the possible effects of these gamebirds on soil-surface or ground invertebrates in woodland and unimproved grassland areas adjacent to release sites. Existing research indicates that high densities of pheasant poults within woodland pens can significantly reduce certain larger invertebrate groups, particularly carabid beetles, likely through a combination of direct predation and habitat alteration via soil disturbance, trampling, and nutrient enrichment. Away from release pens, dietary studies show that free living adult pheasants consume relatively low proportions of invertebrates (typically <5%), though seasonal peaks of 5–20% have been recorded at woodland edges. Evidence from species rich grasslands suggests that dispersed gamebird populations, even at moderate densities, do not measurably reduce local invertebrate abundance.

Overall, the data suggest that impacts on ground invertebrates are largely localised to areas where released birds accumulate at high densities, such as pens, feed stations, and woodland edges, whereas effects decline rapidly with increasing distance and bird dispersal. The review identifies key knowledge gaps, including the need for studies on specialist invertebrates and on the spatial extent of release related pressures on invertebrate communities. The results provide the basis for some specific management recommendations relating to reducing high density accumulations of birds around release points, feeding stations and other hotspots at sensitive sites.

The long-term legally binding Environment Act Habitat target as described in the Statutory Instrument ‘The Environmental Targets (Biodiversity) (England) Regulations 2023’ is: To restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitats outside of protected sites by 31 December 2042.

The 2025 Environmental Improvement Plan sets an interim target of 250,000 hectares by 2030.

This report explains the methodology for arriving at an accurate metric for reporting progress towards the target.

This report sets out the data sources used, and analysis conducted in March 2026 to produce a metric to report progress towards the statutory habitat target.

The metric is reported and broken down by habitat type, data provider and Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) area.

Data included in the analysis in this report are provided from:

• Defra Group delivery mechanisms: Environment Agency, Farming Directorate (previously known as Farming and Countryside Programme), Farming in Protected Landscapes, Forestry Commission, Forestry England, Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme.

• External partners: Buglife, National Trails, Newt Conservation Partnership, Plantlife.

Non-native species (NNS) are those which have been spread, either intentionally or accidentally, beyond their natural geographical range because of human activity. Invasive non-native species (INNS) can pose major threats to native biodiversity, human health and ecosystem services.

In 2018/19, NNS were surveyed by timed searches at 14 clusters of sites in the Solent region, each cluster consisting of a marina, a designated shore near to the marina and another designated shore further way. This report concerns re-surveys of four of these 14 clusters in 2022, to:

• monitor for changes in species’ distribution and abundance
• review the persistence of documented differences in the prevalence of NNS between the ‘Near’ and ‘Far’ shores
• assess if the clusters were suitable for ongoing sentinel monitoring
• and continue to refine the shore rapid assessment protocol developed during the earlier surveys.

Colonisation of new shores by a number of NNS was documented as well as a marked increase in abundance on shores by the Tufty-buff bryozoan. Two species, Purple fan-worm and Pink-hearted hydroid, were found that were not recorded in the previous surveys.

The survey method developed for the Solent surveys in 2018/19, and refined during these surveys, has proved effective in providing evidence on the presence and abundance of NNS at such sites, contributing vital information to the designated site condition assessments. Recommendations include wider adoption of the survey method and regular monitoring of identified ‘sentinel’ sites.

Non-native species (NNS) are those which have been spread, either intentionally or accidentally, beyond their natural geographical range because of human activity. Invasive non-native species (INNS) can pose major threats to native biodiversity, human health and ecosystem services.
In 2018/9, rapid assessment surveys (RAS) of 14 ‘Clusters’ of three sites, one marina/harbour site, one nearby shore and one more distant shore, were completed in the Solent. That project developed a replicable survey methodology to map INNS on shores. Comparison of this information with inventories of INNS in the associated marinas enabled assessment of the risk of colonisation of natural shores by INNS from nearby marinas. Natural England wished to undertake similar work in Devon and Cornwall involving three ‘Clusters’ of sites to seek to establish if a similar relationship could be found between the prevalence of INNS found within marinas and INNS found on intertidal areas nearby and more distant shores.

Two of the new clusters, the Torbay MCZ, and the Fal & Helford SAC, supported the overall findings of the Solent study, that nearby shores have more NNS than more distant shores. This pattern supports the possibility that NNS are ‘leaking’ from marinas onto nearby shores.

Twenty-seven NNS in total were recorded. Where comparisons with earlier RAS were possible, there was a net increase in NNS records.
The survey method refined during these surveys has proved effective in providing evidence on the presence and abundance of NNS at such sites, contributing vital information to the designated site condition assessments.

Mapping Invasive Non-Native Species in the Solent: An Update – 2022

Wood pasture and parkland represent a historically significant agroforestry system characterised by open-grown or pollarded trees within a mosaic of grazed semi-natural habitats. However, traditional management has declined over recent centuries, leading to habitat degradation.

This report examines the potential of new wood pasture creation as a nature-based solution for climate change mitigation, alongside its wider environmental, cultural, and economic benefits.

Evidence from three Nature Returns Local Partnership Projects demonstrates that wood pasture can enhance carbon sequestration, improve soil health, support biodiversity, reduce flood risk, and provide livestock shelter, while also preserving culturally important landscapes. Case studies show that successful establishment depends on locally appropriate tree species, planting configurations, and protection measures. To enable wider adoption, the report identifies key actions, including improving guidance and awareness for landowners, strengthening financial and technical support, and expanding research on long-term ecological and carbon outcomes. With appropriate support and evidence, wood pasture creation has significant potential to contribute to a more resilient landscape and the UK’s transition to net zero.

This report presents the environmental and ecological data acquired from a drop-down camera and benthic grab survey of the Plymouth Sound area of Plymouth Sound and Estuaries SAC in 2021. The report compares the features of the SAC in 2021 with those recorded in previous surveys.

Sample stations were selected to enable temporal comparison with 2011 and/or 2015 survey data. Grab samples were successfully collected at 43 stations, and triplicate infauna samples were obtained at 17 of these stations. Grab samples were analysed for biomass (of each major taxonomic group), macrofauna and particle size [analysis] (PSA) in accordance with NMBAQCS protocols.

Imagery data was collected at 15 stations. Deployment of the drop camera was in accordance with the relevant guidelines (Coggan, R. et al., 2007 & NMBAQCS, 2015).
The 2021 survey data showed no indication that the extent and distribution of habitat features had changed in comparison with the 2011 and 2015 sediment data or the 2017 to 2021 dive data. There was no evidence that there had been significant ecological changes in the biotope community structure, notable species, or ecological function within the SAC.

Recommendations for future surveying, interpretation and assessment of the SAC include aiming to maximise the resolution at which species are recorded, consideration of data analysis using different survey methods, and the identification of key structural and functional taxa in future monitoring.

This report will inform a later condition assessment and management activities for this site.

Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) came into force in February 2024, and for small sites from April 2024. Natural England (on behalf of Defra) commissioned Eunomia to conduct a policy evaluation of BNG covering the initial period of the policy rollout through to a post-mandatory BNG evaluation (2023-2025). This report comprises the final policy evaluation circa one year on from BNG becoming mandatory.

The evaluation included a process evaluation, to understand the extent to which the BNG policy is being implemented effectively, and an impact evaluation, to understand the extent to which the policy is achieving its stated objectives. The report also presents a Value for Money (VfM) analysis of the costs and benefits sufficiently calculable at this early stage and suggests approaches for a future VfM evaluation.

The evaluation formulated twenty-four evaluation questions and employed the following data collection methods:

• Survey
• Fourteen focus groups
• Thirty semi-structured interviews

Overall, BNG processes are in place and functioning effectively, although there remain some challenges for stakeholders, especially related to capacity and experience in using the BNG tools and services. As few developments have been completed under mandatory BNG, its impact to date has been difficult to assess. However, while some implementation challenges exist, overall BNG is considered beneficial; it is already leading to the earlier and standardised consideration of ecological implications in development, and stakeholders felt that BNG is an advancement in both habitat preservation and compensation for habitat loss.

Most survey respondents and interviewees were optimistic about BNG delivery supporting local environmental priorities.

This report documents the creation of a verified spatial dataset of England’s undesignated historic parklands. The project aimed to enhance the accuracy, completeness, and usability of an existing historic parkland dataset, which previously lacked metadata and exhibited poor spatial alignment. Using a combination of Ordnance Survey historic maps (2nd Edition and Hills Edition), high-resolution aerial imagery, and supplementary datasets such as Historic England’s Registered Parks and Gardens layer, the team systematically reviewed and revised 13,485 input polygons.

The methodology involved detailed visual and automated quality control processes, including topological and attribute checks, to ensure spatial and thematic accuracy. Key features such as shelter belts, waterbodies, lodges, and tree-lined avenues were included where identifiable. The final dataset comprises 3,777 named parklands represented by 4,517 polygons, with attributes including parkland name, area, perimeter, and administrative region. Real-time project monitoring was facilitated through ArcGIS Online, enhancing transparency and stakeholder engagement.

The report recommends future enhancements through integration of additional data sources, AI-based feature extraction, and expanded attribute fields to improve historical, ecological, and management insights.

DNA-based methods, such as barcoding, offer significant opportunities for environmental monitoring of difficult-to-detect species, yet their routine application is limited by gaps in reference libraries, with roughly half of UK eukaryote species lacking data. As part of the Defra DNA Centre of Excellence, Natural England is addressing this barrier through the continuation of the UK Barcode of Life (UKBOL) project. During 2024/25, the project progressed in barcoding priority species by collecting and databasing 1,837 specimens across 1,200 species, with 1,085 specimens from 696 species sequenced and added to the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD), including Wyre Forest BioBlitz specimens and genome-skimmed museum materials. Furthermore, the UKBOL data portal was migrated to NHM’s Kubernetes cluster to enable continuous gap analysis of UKSI species, cross-referenced with the PANTHEON database to support biodiversity monitoring.

This guidance document provides a high-level overview of the Marine Habitats and Species (MHabS) Open data and Marine Protected Areas Habitats and Species (MPAHabS) Open data that Natural England publishes on www.data.gov.uk. It should be used as a reference alongside the metadata to understand the dataset.

This document is for anyone to use, including Natural England stakeholders and partners, academics or members of the public to download and use the data.

Delivering marine nature recovery in England requires effective collaboration across sectors, scales and stakeholders. In the marine environment achieving environmental targets depends not only on policy mechanisms, such as Biodiversity Net Gain, Marine Net Gain, green and blue finance, and Local Nature Recovery Strategies, but also on the strength of partnerships that enable coordinated, place-based action.

The collaboration and coordination facilitated by Coastal, Estuary and Marine Partnerships (CEMPs) is critical to the implementation of the key policy initiatives outlined and is especially important in the context of emerging green/blue finance markets. This research adopted a mixed method approach to examine what characterises effective coastal partnerships for supporting and delivering marine nature recovery, particularly in the context of these emerging policy initiatives.

Findings demonstrate that CEMPs already play a significant role in marine nature recovery, particularly as trusted, place-based brokers connecting communities, regulators and delivery partners. In relation to governance, the research highlights the importance of both ‘hard’ factors (e.g. legal status, funding structures, organisational arrangements) and ‘soft’ factors (e.g. trust, collaboration, leadership, skills and local reputation), with the latter often proving equally or more critical to effectiveness. While many CEMPs operate successfully without formal legal status, those with stronger institutional arrangements or host-body support are shown to be better positioned to attract and manage larger-scale investment for MNR.

Despite strong appetite to expand their role in marine nature recovery, the research shows that CEMPs are constrained by limited core funding and capacity. Significant opportunities exist to strengthen their contribution through blended finance models and increased engagement with green and blue finance markets, enabling both environmental and social outcomes. The findings of this research highlight the strategic value of sustained investment in CEMPs to unlock their full potential in delivering marine nature recovery.

Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) have declined dramatically in England, largely due to squirrelpox virus and competition from invasive grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and habitat loss. To support their recovery, this project used a structured decision making (SDM) approach to evaluate 18 alternative strategies against several core objectives relating to red squirrel recovery, cost, public acceptability, animal welfare, non-target species bycatch, and socio-economic factors such as tree damage.

Strategies included various combinations of lethal grey squirrel management, red squirrel translocations, and potential future tools (grey squirrel fertility control and a squirrelpox vaccine). Over 60 stakeholders from diverse sectors shaped the objectives and strategies.

To evaluate strategy performance, we combined several methods, including: a biological model projecting squirrel population dynamics and disease spread over 25 years; a welfare elicitation exercise to assess impacts of different methods on squirrel welfare; and survey-based modelling to predict public opposition to grey squirrel management techniques.

Doing nothing, continuing with the current status quo, and switching from lethal management of grey squirrels to fertility control alone if it becomes available all fail to deliver red squirrel recovery, with a high chance of red squirrel extinction across mainland England over the next 25 years. England-wide grey squirrel suppression strategies offer the best chance for large-scale red squirrel recovery, but with high monetary costs, high species bycatch potential, welfare concerns, and predicted low public support. The regional strategies we modelled for Northern and South West England that incorporate red squirrel translocations also show promise for red squirrel recovery, with a preference expressed among stakeholders towards the Northern England strategies. Targeted regional strategies may be more feasible and incur fewer costs to other objectives.

This report offers a transparent, evidence-based framework to guide red squirrel conservation with the next step being a decision on a national strategy to take forward. Additionally, the approach is iterative and can be reapplied at smaller spatial scales to support more nuanced local decision-making.