Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to ‘variety of life’ and includes plants, animals, micro-organisms and the ecosystems of which they are a part. With the equivalent of 300,000 football pitches of UK land to maintain - land which has been mostly protected from agriculture, forestry and other forms of degrading land development - we care for a wealth of local, national and internationally important biodiversity. Our responsibility includes over 100 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a multitude of habitats which provide refuge for some of Britain’s rarest flora and fauna.
For example, the Salisbury Plain training area comprises one of the largest remaining chalk-grassland landscapes in North West Europe. Spectacular sea cliffs at Castlemartin ranges on the Pembrokeshire coast support some of the best seabird colonies in the country whilst the Essex coastal marshes around Fingringhoe ranges are home to thousands of migratory waders. Otters thrive on the Stanford training area in Norfolk, Smooth Snakes and Sand Lizards inhabit the lowland heaths of Longmoor Ranges in Hampshire and Greater Horseshoe Bats have taken residence in derelict military buildings at Caerwent training camp in Wales.
Working closely with Defence Estates, local conservation groups and statutory nature conservation bodies such as Natural England we monitor and manage conservation sites and the habitats of protected species to ensure both natural and man-made impacts (including that of military training) do not jeopardise their longevity. Where appropriate, specific projects are initiated to improve or assist biodiversity such as the removal of invasive shrubs which threaten remnant lowland heath, fencing initiatives to support sustainable grazing practices and the restoration of vital breeding ponds for the protected Great Crested Newt.