Dear Editor,
In an article on national parks failing nature (13 September 2024), your Environment Editor referred to the very best of nature being protected through SSSI designation and reported on the poor condition of many sites across England. The article stated that “The main causes of SSSIs being damaged are mismanaged livestock grazing, moor burning for game bird shoots, water pollution and deer.”
Natural England’s Designated Sites View provides a means of viewing the causes of adverse condition. Whilst over- and under-grazing and water pollution are significant causes of SSSI poor condition, it is not possible to be definitive that moor burning for game bird shoots is a “main cause”. This is because the adverse condition reason in Natural England’s reporting is “Fire - moor burning” and therefore doesn’t distinguish between prescribed burning for gamebird habitat management, the creation of fire breaks using controlled burns, and actual wildfire events. Wildfires are particularly damaging as they burn into the peat, destroying plant roots and releasing significant amounts of carbon. Reducing the fuel load through vegetation management is vital to reduce their risk, particularly whilst peatland is under restoration.
Getting peatland and upland heath management right will be vital to ensuring our moorlands’ continued contribution to climate change mitigation and nature recovery.
Henrietta Appleton
Policy Officer
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT)