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  4. Dorset's local nature recovery strategy
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  6. Dorset's local nature recovery priority 12 species abundance and diversity
Abundance and diversity of local species increases so that sustainable populations are reached and maintained, while invasive non-native species are controlled.
This priority is about giving all wildlife opportunities to thrive, by creating a network of diverse, naturally functioning and joined up grassland, woodland, wetland, heathland and coastal habitats across the county, supported by more nature-friendly land management practices across all the surrounding farmland, towns and villages. This will be achieved by combining potential activities listed under a number of the other nature recovery priorities.

Species abundance is how many individuals of a species are in an area, for example the number of pyramidal orchids in a 1m by 1m section of a meadow. Species richness is how many different species there are in an area, for example the other grasses, flowers and wildlife alongside the orchids. Together more abundance and richness contribute to more species diversity. Rather than just aiming for high numbers, the focus of this priority is on species having big enough populations to be maintained over the long term to help the ecosystem function. Without enough overall wildlife (biomass) then there is a risk that food chains will collapse.   
 
As well as increasing local species diversity, there is a need to reduce or remove invasive non-native species whose presence is a common threat to native wildlife and the habitats covered by the other priorities.   
 
This priority focuses on supporting habitats and their species to be resilient to pests, disease, and ongoing changes in our climate, acknowledging that some species will reduce or move away, and some new species will arrive from other areas, attracted by the changed climatic conditions.   
 
Some land management activities benefit some species more than others, as part of planning activities it is important to consider if the intended outcome is to increase overall species diversity or abundance, or to support a specific species. 

Nature recovery in action

A project to control Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed was carried out in the River Axe catchment.

Himalayan balsam is considered problematic and invasive as it outcompetes native plants, provides poor soil stabilisation due to its shallow roots, can alter water flows on rivers, and  spreads rapidly. It responds strongly to nutrient availability and therefore can be a problem near farmland and water courses where nutrient input is often higher. Working with Natural England, the Dorset based European Conservation Action Network (EuCAN) volunteers worked alongside contractors over a 5-year period to tackle the invasive species problem on the main River Axe.
Volunteers clearing Himalayan balsam - EuCAN.
Photo credit: EuCAN

The giant hogweed was dealt with by contractors removing the flower and seed heads offsite in heavy-duty plastic sacks for disposal by incineration. The Japanese knotweed was tackled by contractors using one application of a glyphosate-based herbicide in September and the Himalayan balsam was removed through pulling, cutting, strimming, and brush cutting by both volunteers and contractors. 

This work initially led to a reduction in Himalayan balsam, but, as soon as the funding stopped the problem returned. This example illustrates why it’s important to prevent invasive non-native species at source, because efforts to control them can be expensive and are required 
long-term.

Potential activities

See what activities people can carry out to help achieve this priority. You can view them all, or just look at the one most relevant to you. These activities are a guide and are not exhaustive, as there are many small activities involved in habitat management and restoring ecosystems.

The activities and Dorset’s nature recovery maps provide a starting point, but additional land management and ecological advice will often be needed to support activities on individual sites. 

Explore by sector

Select the sector you're interested in to see the relevant activities for this priority.
 

Explore all potential activities

Listed here are all the potential activities for this priority:
  • create a network of naturally functioning diverse habitats across the county, supported by more nature- friendly land management practices across all the surrounding areas by delivering the activities listed under all the other priorities in this strategy 
  • make simple changes across Dorset to help increase species abundance, such as herbal leys and diverse seed mixes on farms, encouraging natural regeneration of woodlands, and leaving wilder areas in parks and open spaces
  • maintain local geological sites in order to support geodiversity and species diversity
  • use integrated pest management on farms to reduce the amount of chemicals used and improve soil health. For example, beetle banks on arable farms provide habitat for beneficial insects that feed on crop pests. Similarly, increasing species diversity in pasture and using rotational livestock grazing can support dung beetles, which help with parasite control. This can also reduce the need for parasite treatments that can harm bats, invertebrates and other species
  • use wildlife-friendly gardening practices. For example, peat-free compost, hedgehog house, not using chemicals or slug pellets
  • stop introduction or spread of invasive non-native species by increasing understanding of the risks and how they spread
  • use local and native species when creating new spaces for nature as part of building development, but also consider new species where these provide a similar ecological function and are suited to the built environment
  • raise awareness of which invasive or near-invasive species to avoid planting in gardens or community projects
  • undertake targeted and sustained control of non- native and invasive plants and animals, for example, rhododendron, Himalayan balsam, snowberry, sour fig, cotoneaster, Japanese rose, giant hogweed, water fern and mink. Use resources from the non-native species secretariat for further information and examples
  • follow guidance and regulations set by the Animal and Plant Health Agency
  • coordinate landscape scale management of sustainable deer populations to improve the ecological condition of semi-natural habitats, supporting the natural regeneration of trees, woody shrubs and ground flora, and to protect agricultural crops. Control muntjac deer (as an invasive species). Within both Wareham and Purbeck focus management actions upon sika deer populations
  • monitor tree stocks for pests and disease, and where impacts are high, adapt woodland management plans and practices to respond. Refer to Forest Research for further information
  • coordinate shared approach to respond to ash dieback across land ownership boundaries
  • if plants or trees are lost to disease, re-plant with a more resistant and diverse species mix but make sure these perform similar or enhanced ecological functions and are native if possible
  • explore options for landscape scale management of grey squirrel populations and deliver this to improve ecological condition of woodlands and reduce pressures on other animals, such as mammals and birds.
  • include an evaluation of the feasibility for pine marten reintroduction
  • use badger surveillance and vaccination as part of the new TB eradication strategy
  • stop the spread of common wall lizard into new areas, particularly heathland. Raise awareness of how to identify the species and what people should do if found. Carry out surveys of new or spreading populations, to control before they become established
  • control Alpine newt, survey populations and stop their spread into new areas. Raise awareness of what people should do if they spot them and how to avoid accidentally helping them spread
  • raise awareness of how to quickly identify areas with newly colonised sour fig and rapidly control and remove the species to prevent it spreading
  • when managing and restoring habitats, be aware that climate change may make conditions suitable for different species, and that may have knock-on impacts on other species and processes in complex and dynamic ecosystems
  • use native plant and tree species to support the local food web and wildlife, but also support the use of new species and varieties where these enhance ecological function and resilience to pests, diseases, climate change and extreme weather
  • ensure diversity in age, species and structure of the habitat to help species adapt to climate-related pressures and/or disperse to new areas
  • increase connectivity between habitats to enable species to move in response to new climate pressures
  • raise awareness of species that might arrive in Dorset due to climate change or reintroduction projects to help people recognise them, understand why they have arrived and the potential benefits they might bring
  • on former minerals and waste sites, restoration should prioritise nature recovery in accordance with planning authorities. Explore options to encourage longer-term management beyond the aftercare period