Biodiversity and heritage

BiodiversityThe WAVE area, including the coastal and estuarine zones, is rich in biodiversity, both in terms of habitats and species.  It contains a range of nationally and internationally important environmental and heritage designated sites across all elements of the landscape (coastal, lowland and upland).  These sites include:

  • Ramsar wetlands – Severn estuary and Somerset Levels & Moors
  • Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) for wildlife habitat and species
  • Special Protection Areas (SPA) for bird interests
  • Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
  • National Nature Reserves (NNR) 
  • Sites of Special Scientific Interests (SSSI)
  • Scheduled Monuments

There are also numerous Local Wildlife Sites, Local Nature Reserves and Country Parks throughout the area.
General information on biodiversity interests in Somerset is available through the Somerset Biodiversity Partnership.  The Somerset Biodiversity Partnership was set up to protect and enhance Somerset's natural environment, its wildlife and geological assets for the benefit of the people of Somerset.  Access to publications from the Somerset Biodiversity Partnership can be found via the Somerset County Council web site:

http://www.somerset.gov.uk

Further details on the location of the designated sites within the WAVE area can be found on the Natural England web site:
http:/www.natureonthemap.naturalengland.org.uk/

Information on the internationally designated sites can be found on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) web site:
http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-4

Further details on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty can be found on the National Association for AONBs web site at:
http://www.aonb.org.uk

Somerset Biodiversity Management Group, Local Biodiversity Action Plans. 2008.
http://www.somerset.gov.uk

English Heritage:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/