Prioritisation of Species in the South Downs National Park - AWARD

The South Downs National Park contains a diverse range of habitat types and associated species assemblages including chalk grassland, heathland, ancient woodland, chalk rivers and floodplain wetland habitats. Although the outstanding importance of many of these areas is recognised, no systematic audit of its biodiversity has been undertaken to date.

The South Downs National Park Authority has committed to a target of securing an additional 13,000ha, or 33% of land managed for nature by 2030 from a baseline of 25%.

A further key priority is to maintain, enhance and/or restore existing key sites, habitats and species.

To support this work, analysis of existing species abundance and distribution is required to enable a better understanding of the priority species and local specialities in the South Downs National Park. This evidence will help inform future decisions on land use change, climate change adaptation and mitigation, conservation work, species monitoring and nature recovery projects.

We wish to appoint a consultant to undertake the following:

1. Quantify the national biodiversity importance of the South Downs.
2. Quantify the priority species within the different habitat assemblages.
3. Understand the spatial distribution and abundance of these priority species and identify species considered as South Downs Specialities.
4. Understand the spatial distribution and abundance of Invasive Non-Native species within the Project Area
5. Identify potential species for which the South Downs is likely to become within their range, or become scarce as a result of climate change.