SSSI Condition Monitoring on NE Managed NNR 2021

Natural England systematically monitors the notified species, habitats, geological or geomorphological features of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) to provide the evidence that enable us to keep sites in favourable condition or restore those in unfavourable condition. This contract is for assessment on the National Nature Reserves (NNRs) managed by the organisation itself.

The methods used in this contract follow JNCC's published Common Standards Monitoring (CSM) methodology. CSM provides a relatively simple assessment of the condition of the features for which a SSSI has been notified. For each feature, a small number of quantifiable and measurable attributes have been chosen that describe its condition, and targets are set for each. Habitat attributes may include extent, floristic composition (often restricted to indicator species, positive and/or negative), vegetation structure, and physical characteristics. Species attributes may include population size, species distribution, and habitat factors. Geological feature attributes include, for example, visibility and extent. CSM will usually be based on a field survey involving a structured walk across the site but may utilise other information such as aerial images or bird counts.

There are 24 SSSIs (either entire or part) sitting within 21 NNRs included in the contract, comprising of 93 individual units with a combined area of over 3780 hectares.

Survey data needs to be entered on Natural England Site Survey (NESS) app as the primary means of recording information collected in the field, which syncs directly with our protected sites database. Short written site summary reports will be required as a supplement to data submitted through NESS.