English wildlife sites improving

The condition of England's best wildlife sites is improving, a new report has revealed.

English Nature's assessment of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) found that 69.8% are now in target condition.

The conservation watchdog's assessment examined 1,073,828 hectares of SSSIs and found that nearly 750,000 hectares have their important wildlife and geology being looked after to keep them in, or bring them in to, favourable condition.

English Nature said that this meant 130,000 hectares had been brought up to target condition since 2003.

Dr Andy Brown, Chief Executive of English Nature, said that the results were a "great achievement".

However, the report also found that the condition of nearly 11% of SSSIs was actually declining.

The government has set a target to have 95% of SSSIs in favourable condition by 2010.

Dr Brown said that 42 separate factors, which influenced the condition of SSSIs, had been identified and that a number of factors could help to keep each site in favourable condition.

These factors included agri-environmental schemes, which do not harm sites and increased funding from the EU and UK government for the schemes.

(KMcA)