AESME Lots 6 & 9: Are English AES schemes delivering for geological SSSIs?

Countryside Stewardship (CS) is currently the only mechanism for funding works to improve geological SSSI condition. However, despite including a bespoke capital item, FM1 (Management of geodiversity features), targeted specifically at geological features and with 100% funding, the uptake has been extremely limited.

This project aims to:

• Help us to understand the impact of CS, through capital item FM1 (Management of geodiversity features) and other broader vegetation management options which might have positive impacts on managing and conserving geological features on SSSIs (for example: SB1 Scrub control and felling diseased trees; SB2 Scrub control - difficult sites; SB3 Tree removal; AC1 Access capital items; ED1 Educational access; see Appendix for full list).
• Help us to understand if there have been any negative impacts of CS on managing and conserving geological features on SSSIs (for example: TE4 Supply and plant tree)
• Help us understand whether certain options have had positive or negative impacts on geological features (for example: CT1 Management of coastal sand dunes and vegetated shingle)
• Help us to understand why uptake of capital item FM1 has been low.
• Make recommendations on how greater uptake of agreements to manage geological features within SSSIs could be encouraged.

Additional information:

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