Local Nature Reserves (LNR) in England, Scotland and Wales
Under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 LNRs may be declared by local authorities after consultation with the relevant statutory nature conservation agency. LNRs are declared and managed for nature conservation, and provide opportunities for research and education, or simply enjoying and having contact with nature.
National Nature Reserves (NNR)
NNRs contain examples of some of the most important natural and semi-natural terrestrial and coastal ecosystems in Great Britain. They are managed to conserve their habitats or to provide special opportunities for scientific study of the habitats communities and species represented within them.
NNRs are declared by the statutory country conservation agencies under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. In Northern Ireland, Nature Reserves are designated under the Amenity Lands Act (Northern Ireland) 1965.
Ramsar sites
Ramsar sites are designated under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, agreed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. Originally intended to protect sites of importance especially as waterfowl habitat, the Convention has broadened its scope over the years to cover all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use, recognizing wetlands as ecosystems that are extremely important for biodiversity conservation in general and for the well-being of human communities.
The Convention adopts a broad definition of wetland, namely "areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres". Wetlands "may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands".
There is only one Ramsar site in Berkshire or Oxfordshire, South West London Waterbodies.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in England, Scotland and Wales
The SSSI series has developed since 1949 as the national suite of sites providing statutory protection for the best examples of the UK's flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features. These sites are also used to underpin other national and international nature conservation designations. Most SSSIs are privately-owned or managed; others are owned or managed by public bodies or non-government
organisations.
Originally notified under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, SSSIs have been re notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Improved provisions for the protection and management of SSSIs were introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (in England and Wales) and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Sites of Community Importance (SCI)
SACs are designated under the EC Habitats Directive. SACs are areas which have been identified as best representing the range and variety within the European Union of habitats and (non-bird) species listed on Annexes I and II to the Directive. SACs in terrestrial areas and territorial marine waters out to 12 nautical miles are designated under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended).
New and/or amended Habitats sites which have been submitted to the European Commission by Government, but not yet formally adopted by the Commission, are referred to as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSACs).
Sites which have been adopted by the EC, but not yet formally designated by governments of member states are known as sites of community importance (SCIs). In the UK, designation of SACs is devolved to the relevant administration within each country.
SACs, together with SPAs, form the Natura 2000 network.
Special Protection Areas(SPA)
SPAs are classified by the UK Government under the EC Birds Directive. SPAs are areas of the most important habitat for rare (listed on Annex I to the Directive) and migratory birds within the European Union. SPAs in terrestrial areas and territorial marine waters out to 12 nautical miles are classified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
SPAs, together with SACs, form the Natura 2000 network.
Local Wildlife Sites (LWS)
Local authorities for any given area may designate certain areas as being of local conservation interest. The criteria for inclusion, and the level of protection provided, if any, may vary between areas. Most individual counties have a similar scheme, although they do vary.
Most local wildlife sites systems involve a panel of ecologists and others in the development of local criteria and the selection of the sites. Panels usually include a local government ecologist, an Natural England representative, the Local Wildlife Trust, the local environmental record centre and sometimes include a representative of local landowners and local naturalists.
These sites, which may be given various titles such as ‘county wildlife sites’ (CWS), 'local wildlife sites' (LWS), 'local nature conservation sites' (LNCS), 'sites of importance for nature conservation' (SINCs), or 'sites of nature conservation importance' (SNCIs), together with statutory designations, are defined in local plans under the town and country planning system and the National Planning Policy
Framework and are a material consideration when planning applications are being determined.
As part of a national standardisation process these sites have recently been renamed as local wildlife sites in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Previously they were known as county wildlife sites in Oxfordshire and wildlife heritage sites in Berkshire. Although the use of these names, especially in citations and descriptions, is being edited and replaced with local wildlife sites or LWS it is likely that some references will remain to these former names until this is complete.
Proposed Local Wildlife Sites and Extensions
These are also included on designated sites maps. They are areas thought to include important areas of UKBAP habitat or priority or protected species populations.
Extensions are likely to have similar habitats to the adjacent local wildlife sites. Local authorities are made aware of these sites. They will not have been fully surveyed and taken to the selection panel as yet.
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) properties and nature reserves
A variety of non-governmental organisations such as the John Muir Trust, Plantlife, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Wildlife Trusts and Woodland Trust own or manage nature reserves or other areas of land that are important for biodiversity.
These sites may be intended primarily for nature conservation, or for other purposes such as protection of landscape features or the provision public access to the countryside. These areas of themselves have no statutory basis, but a large number are also designated SSSIs / NNRs / SPAs / SACs / Ramsar sites, etc.
In Berkshire and Oxfordshire, BBOWT (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust), Woodland Trust and RSPB sites fall into this category.
Local Geological Sites (LGS)
Local geological sites formerly known as regionally important geological and geomorphological sites (RIGS) are the most important places for geology and geomorphology outside statutorily protected land such as sites of special scientific interest (SSSI).
As part of a national standardisation process these sites have recently been renamed as LGS in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. Sites are selected under locally-developed criteria, according to their value for education, scientific study, historical significance or aesthetic qualities. Whilst not benefiting from statutory protection, LGS are equivalent to Local Wildlife Sites, and ''...consideration of their importance becomes integral to the planning process".
Other sites
Occasionally other sites might be shown on maps. These are likely to be sites with some wildlife interest, usually managed by local groups, local authorities or town councils but which do not have a specific statutory or non-statutory designation.
Some local authorities within Oxfordshire and Berkshire have identified other sites which are protected through policies in their local plans, including sites of local importance to nature conservation (SLINCs) in oxford city and district wildlife sites in Cherwell. For SLINCs we only show sites on maps that are not
local wildlife sites or proposed local wildlife sites.
Conservation Target Areas (CTA) and Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (BOA)
These landscape scale areas have been identified as supporting high concentrations of UKBAP habitats and species populations and the potential to restore habitats at a landscape scale. These areas act as a focus for targeting resources into habitat management and restoration.
Ancient Woodland
Ancient woodland areas within Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough are from an updated layer of ancient woodland produced by TVERC for Bracknell Forest Council and Wokingham Borough Council in 2015-16. This data has been provided to Natural England but has not yet been made available and thus differs from that shown on the Magic Map interactive map. For information of the methodology for
selecting ancient woodland areas please contact us at tverc@oxfordshire.gov.uk.