Penwith Moors Ecohydrological catchment land-cover survey May / June 2021 (NERR109)

Land within Penwith Moors, Cornwall, is being considered for designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Valley mires are features of interest and 11 key valley mires (wetlands) have been identified for designation. In 2020 Natural England commissioned Atkins to undertake a catchment-based approach to identify all land that may influence the ecohydrology of the mires, and to determine which areas have the most significant influence. In 2021, Natural England commissioned Atkins to undertake field visits of all 11 valley mire sites being considered for inclusion in the SSSI to verify the findings of the desk-study. Alongside this, Natural England undertook a land-cover survey to map and record agricultural cropping, semi-natural vegetation and any other landcover in areas not previously surveyed for their vegetation. These were predominantly on areas of enclosed farmland. This report should be read in conjunction with West Penwith Ecohydrological Investigation and Characterisation, Phase 3, 2020-21, NECR399, and West Penwith Ecohydrological Investigation and Characterisation, Phase 3, – Site Visit Report, 2020-21, NECR402.