Effectiveness of UK Legislation and Management in Producing Nature Conservation Outcomes

Abstract

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are a form of nature conservation management using protected areas to improve specific site features of wider biodiversity. This study focuses on the Purbeck Heath NNR management aims to restore the natural habitat and increase overall biodiversity through landscape-scale management. This study investigated whether landscape-scale management used within the protected areas will benefit overall biodiversity and fulfil legislation. Sites 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 measures are currently used on site. Bayesian Belief Networks were used to evaluate how different designated features within NNRs 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. Discussions showed that the main conservation outcome is to increase landscape connectivity, climate resilience and overall biodiversity by placing nature first. Overall, the Purbeck Heath NNR and other super NNRs have the potential to fulfil the legislation aims set out under the various designations of Special Protected Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and Ramsar sites.