118 - Bristol, Avon Valleys and Ridges : Analysis: Ecosystem Services

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Naturally fertile soils
• Significant areas of livestock grazing
• Some cereal farming

State – The NCA supports a wide range of farming, 71 per cent of the land falls within agricultural grades 1 to 3. The low lying clay vales and the fertile soils north of the Mendip Hills are used as a base by Yeo Valley foods (a national dairy producer).

Figures from 2009 show that 46,251 ha is covered by commercial farming which is dominated by livestock farming. In terms of animal numbers, cattle lead at over 55,000, followed by sheep at over 41,000 and pigs just under 18,000. Farm type is dominated by livestock grazing at 331 farms, followed by dairy 112 farms, cereal 103 farms. Horticulture is also significant in the area (64 farms).

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – The fertile gentle accessible slopes of the low-lying clay vales are the most productive parts of this area.

Arable farming in this NCA is largely for animal fodder though there is a concentration of other arable on the flatter lands from Yate and Chipping Sodbury, northwards towards Wickwar.

The less accessible steep hillsides and very shallow soils are utilised as short grazed calcareous grasslands by sheep. Dairying is prevalent in the Yeo Valley.

The economics of food production mean that the generally small size of holdings within this NCA is at risk of being bought out by larger companies, this may impact the way the landscape is farmed and may lead to impacts on biodiversity
and other ecosystem services if more intensive management is used.

Small farms are also being bought up by non-farmers and there land leased out to other farmers or for equiculture.

Opportunities – Work with the local farming community to safeguard future food production while enhancing key ecosystem services diversity by exploring management techniques and stocking levels that maintain viable levels of productivity and safeguard biodiversity, water quality, water regulation (flooding), soil erosion and quality, pollination services and genetic diversity.

Encourage the purchasing of local produce to benefit climate regulation and local culture.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Food provision
• Biodiversity
• Regulating water quality
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating soil quality
• Pollination
• Genetic diversity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Areas of existing woodland

State – The NCA contains 6,636 ha of woodland (8 per cent of the total area), around a quarter of which (1,690 ha) is ancient woodland. There are 588 ha of coniferous planting.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – There is scope for increasing production from the private sector, particularly from broadleaf woodland. Much of this woodland is undermanaged. Bringing woodland into management as well as woodland creation are both key objectives. Increasing production is a target in this NCA but this is likely to be through privately owned woodland as there is only a small amount of Forestry Commission owned land and production here is unlikely to increase as all the woodland is already in management to produce a sustainable yield through the Forest Design Plans.

Opportunities – Opportunities for expansion of woodland including conifer woodland (where appropriate) guided by plans such as the Forest of Avon Plan, Forestry Commission England Corporate Plan and AONB management plans.

There is an opportunity to bring some existing woodland throughout the NCA back into management to provide timber though some non-intervention. Management benefits biodiversity, particularly deadwood species.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Timber provision
• Regulating soil erosion
• Biodiversity
• Regulating water flow
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Tranquillity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Streams and rivers
• Reservoirs
• Abstraction
• Absorptive capacity of semi-natural habitat maintaining more even water release
• Precipitation over the Cotswolds and Mendip Hills

State – The main rivers in this NCA are the Avon, the Frome, the Chew and the Congresbury Yeo. There are also three reservoirs: Blagdon Lake, Chew Valley Lake and Cheddar Reservoir (which lies on the boundary with the Somerset Levels and Moors NCA). These reservoirs are fed by rivers and streams emerging from the Mendip Hills making this area a net receiver of water from the neighbouring Mendip Hills NCA.

The NCA overlies a mixture of limestone from the Cotswolds and thick, intensively- folded sequence of mudstone and sandstones. There are no major aquifers within the NCA itself but there are several limestone aquifers associated with the Mendips and the Cotswolds just outside of the NCA boundary (Bristol Avon Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy, Environment Agency 2005).

The reservoirs supply 1.1 million people and businesses in the Bristol area.

The Jurassic aquifers outside of the NCA are a major groundwater source for public water supply, particularly abstracted from the Malmesbury area to supply Bristol. Public water supply is very consumptive and a significant proportion of the water is not returned to the source of supply, while uses such as production of energy (for example. hydropower) and quarry dewatering (both abstractors in this NCA) are non-consumptive and water is returned to the water environment within the NCA (Bristol Avon Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy, Environment Agency 2005).

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – While most of the area is classed as having ‘no water available’ for additional abstraction, meaning that any new abstraction or an increase in an existing abstraction is very likely to have constraints to limit or stop water being abstracted during low flow situation, which may become more frequent with a changing climate.

The Frome and a minor groundwater aquifer just south of Bristol have ‘water available’.

The area around Blagdon Lake and Chew Valley Lake is over licensed (Brue, Axe and North Somerset Streams Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy, Environment Agency 2008) and resources are stretched in the Congresbury Yeo at low flows, mainly due to public water supply abstractions. Some of these licences are subject to hands-off flow conditions that require the abstractor to stop or reduce abstraction if flows in the river reach identified low flow conditions (Bristol Avon Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy, Environment Agency 2005).

Further demands on the public water supply through likely predicted increases in population may further exacerbate over abstraction but demand increase from new developments may be off-set by increased efficiency in existing housing and industry. To protect existing abstraction licences and the environment, it may be important to ensure all new developments are supplied with water within current abstraction limits rather than increasing abstractions or developing new sources.

Chew Valley Lake is an internationally important wildlife site designated as an SPA and Ramsar Site as an important wildfowl habitat (Bristol Avon Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy, Environment Agency 2005).

Blagdon and Chew Valley Lakes are eutrophic due to high levels of nutrients in the water. Both lakes are designated as Drinking Water Protected Areas. The catchments which drain to the lakes, and the catchments from which water is pumped/gravity fed to the lakes, have been identified as Safeguard Zones.

The Environment Agency is working with Bristol Water, Natural England and other partners to develop Drinking Water Protected Area Safeguard Zone action plans to address the sources of nutrients entering the lakes. The area surrounding each lake is designated a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone under the Nitrates Directive.

Opportunities – Well designed winter water storage reservoirs on farms could help alleviate the levels of abstraction for water used on farmland.

Work with Bristol Water to continue to educate consumers about economical use of water.

Slow the flow of water across the landscape to maintain more constant river levels through ponds, semi-natural habitat and more naturalised drainage and watercourses. Hedgerows across steeper slopes can also help to slow the flow of water from the land.

Support measures to maintain and improve soil structure of tilled soils to increase permeability and water retention by the soil.

Work with Bristol Water and other partners to deliver Drinking Water Protected Area actions and ensure agricultural community comply with the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone regulations.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Water availability
• Food provision
• Biomass energy
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating water quality
• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating soil quality
• Recreation
• Biodiversity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Orchard fruit varieties

State – Although not a major fruit producing area, some traditional orchards remain and there are local fruit varieties that originate from this NCA.

Analysis – Genetic diversity of orchard fruit varieties are important to maintain in order to safeguard food provision, and afford increased resilience to climate change and disease.

Examples of local varieties from this NCA include the Bedminster pippin apple and the Bristol cross pear.

Opportunities – Maintain collections such as the national fruit collection at Brogdale Farm, Kent and the Perry Pear collection at Hartpury, Gloucestershire.

Raise awareness of local varieties and link owners with suppliers.

Encourage regeneration and planting of local varieties.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Genetic diversity
• Climate regulation
• Pollination
• Biodiversity
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Sense of history

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Coppice woodland
• Existing woodland (6 per cent of the NCA)

State – Currently there is little biomass production in this NCA as most of the productive land area is used for food production.

With a woodland cover of 8 per cent this NCA has some potential for the production of biomass by bringing existing woodland back under management and as a by-product of commercial timber production. Hedgerows also provide local opportunities for coppiced timber.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – There is some potential for the provision of biomass through bringing some areas of unmanaged woodland back under small-scale coppice management. This may also locally extend to coppiced wood from hedgerow management.

There may also be some potential for miscanthus, and short rotation coppice in some areas of the NCA. However, siting is critical due to the potential water use requirements, chemical inputs and affect on soil structure and erosion. Damage to historic features such as field boundaries, parkland and ridge and furrow should also be avoided.

For information on the potential landscape impacts of biomass plantings within the NCA, refer to the tables of ‘opportunities and optimum sitings for energy crops’ on the Natural England website.

Opportunities – Opportunities for short rotation coppice and miscanthus exist in the NCA.

There is scope to bring areas of woodland back into traditional coppice for small-scale wood fuel production and benefits to biodiversity. Some hedgerow management could also be included in this.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Biomass energy
• Climate regulation
• Biodiversity
• Water availability

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Carbon-rich soils, peat soils at Gordano Valley
• Soil carbon and stable microbial community under permanent pasture
• Extensive hedgerow networks, traditional orchards, woodland and parkland

State – The mineral soils of this NCA are generally low in soil carbon especially where they have been under continuous arable cultivation. Carbon sequestration can be increased by organic matter inputs and by reducing the frequency/area of cultivation.

There are significant peat deposits in the Gordano Valley, some of which falls into this area.

The combination of woodland, parkland, traditional orchards and hedgerows plays an important part in carbon sequestration.

The concentration of permanent pasture contributes through soil carbon storage which would otherwise be released by aerobic microbial activity on exposure of the soil to air through activity such as ploughing.

Trees and green infrastructure in the expansive urban environment of Bristol contribute to regulating the urban heat island effect.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – The potential for soil carbon sequestration in this NCA is low as there is no active peat deposition; however the peat deposits at Gordano Valley are important carbon stores, as are other permanently saturated wetland soils, due to limited aerobic microbial activity. Peat deposition could potentially be reactivated by altering the management of water at Gordano, however this would affect the features that the site is currently notified and managed for.

High concentrations of permanent pasture also retain carbon, an increased proportion of which would be released through microbial action if the soil was ploughed and exposed to air. However, where permanent pasture is grazed by cattle, it can result in release of methane by the animals themselves. Other ruminants such as sheep also release methane but to a lesser extent per animal.

Production of inorganic fertilizer is particularly energy intensive and large volumes of greenhouse gases are emitted during production. Soil testing enables the calculation of optimal fertilise application rates, thus reducing excess use of fertiliser, saving energy, money and benefiting water quality.

Increasing organic inputs into cultivated mineral soils would increase the overall carbon content of these soils, contributing slightly to carbon storage, soil condition and water retention.

Opportunities – Maintain carbon storage particularly peat soils at Gordano Valley.

Maintain levels of carbon sequestration through sustainably managing the woodlands and hedgerows of the area.

Prevent CO2 release by maintaining permanent pasture and ensuring it is managed within a sustainable regime.

Encourage incorporation of organic matter into cultivated mineral soils to appropriate levels, avoiding overloading that might cause diffuse pollution.

Maintaining traditional orchards and wood pasture and parkland, which stores carbon both through the trees themselves and the permanent grassland beneath.

Work with the farming community to ensure they have adequate access to soil analysis to enable the calculation of appropriate levels of fertilizer inputs to reduce energy wastage and benefit water quality.

Incorporate street trees and green infrastructure into urban design.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Climate regulation
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating water quality
• Biodiversity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Rocky shoreline

State – This NCA has a short coast line, from Portishead to Clevedon, which is characterised by cliffs fronted by a rock platform, forming a narrow intertidal area, covered by intermittent mud and gravel deposits.

This coastline has several conservation designations of international, national and local importance. In particular, it is part of the Severn Estuary SAC.

The cliffed coast is largely undefended (although some local protection is in place), and the cliffs have a hard rock geology which is resistant to erosion and, as a consequence, erosion rates are generally low although there is local variation reflecting local geological and geomorphological factors.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Coastal flooding and erosion do not significantly impact this NCA due to the rocky nature of the shoreline. The current coastal management policy is to hold the existing defence line around Clevedon with no active intervention along the rocky shore to Portishead.

The Gordano valley is the most likely area to experience flooding. Climate change is likely to increase tidal flood risk in the Severn Estuary, (Severn Estuary Catchment Shoreline Management Plan, Environment Agency) the tidal reaches of the Avon are at risk from tide locking.

Opportunities – Manage the coast in line with the existing policies to hold the existing defences as necessary, with no active intervention elsewhere.

No additional opportunities exist due to the nature of the very short stretch of coastline attached to this NCA.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating coastal flooding and erosion

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Hedgerows and buffer strips across steeper slopes
• Permanent grassland particularly low input
• Semi-natural habitats
• Appropriate tillage
• Good livestock management
• Buffer strips alongside watercourses
• Diffuse and point source pollution prevention
• Sustainable urban drainage

State – For information regarding the current state of water quality within this NCA, refer to the Environment Agency (Draft river basin management plan maps).

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – Low flows result in deterioration of water quality due to increasing concentrations of nutrients, maintaining and expanding semi-natural habitat will help to slow the flow of water across the landscape, reducing the extremes of peak and low flow events, soil erosion and particulate reaching the watercourses. Semi-natural habitat also reduces the amount of diffuse pollution as they are low or no input areas, protecting aquifers and watercourses.

Invasive non-native species such as Himalayan balsam are a problem and can result in exposed soil along the river banks resulting in erosion and increased particulates entering the watercourse.

Due to the large urban area covering this NCA, run-off from roads will contribute to the amount of pollution entering the watercourses. Sustainable urban drainage (SUDS) incorporated into new developments can help reduce the amount of pollution reaching rivers as it is held in the particulate matter of the reed beds. SUDS can also provide benefits for biodiversity and contribute to green infrastructure.

Priorities, under the catchment sensitive farming initiative for the North Somerset Moors Priority Catchment, are to: protect drinking water supply and reduce levels of nutrients and pesticides in catch waters of Chew Valley Lake; reduce levels of diffuse agricultural pollution arising from livestock and arable farming; minimise sources of run-off and soil-wash entering watercourses; prevent pathways for run- off; and protect receiver watercourses (Capital Grant Scheme – Funding Priority Statement 2012/13, Catchment 36: North Somerset Moors, Natural England (date unknown)) Although there is some scope for work within the NCA, some of the water quality issues rely on catchment sensitive farming in the part of the catchment outside of this NCA.

Opportunities – Maintain ecological flow levels in watercourses by managing abstraction, as described above, to avoid over abstraction resulting in low flow levels which will impact ecological status of watercourses.

Expand the network of semi-natural wetland habitats adjacent to watercourses including; flood plain grazing marsh, fen and reedbeds, plus creation of grassland buffer strips, restoration of hedgerows across slopes within river catchments.

Work with farmers, particularly across the North Somerset Moors catchment, to reduce sources of diffuse agricultural pollution, run-off and soil erosion into watercourses.

Work with the farming community to ensure they have adequate access to soil analysis to enable the calculation of appropriate levels of fertilizer inputs to reduce energy wastage and benefit water quality.

Work with landowners, the Environment Agency and water companies in addressing point source discharges.

Incorporate SUDS into new development to reduce pollution from run-off from urban areas reaching rivers.

Work with local authorities and water companies to prevent foul sewer overflows reaching rivers.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating water quality
• Regulating soil erosion
• Biodiversity
• Climate regulation

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Rivers and streams
• Existing semi-natural habitat
• Sustainable urban drainage
• Flood protection defences

State – While there is little or no risk of flooding across most of the NCA, largely due to the flood defence works which have been put in place, there are some areas where flood risk is higher, including parts of the River Avon and the coastal settlements such as Portishead and Clevedon. Problems of flooding largely relate to tide lock flooding and tidal flooding downstream.

The NCA contain a large urban component (Bristol and its environs), meaning that excess water does not easily soak into the ground. The defences through Bristol include the Northern Storm Water Interceptor (NSWI), diverting flood flows from the Bristol Frome away from the City into the tidal Avon. There are also smaller diversion channels on the Ashton, Longmoor and Colliters Brooks and the Brislington Brook.

The Floating Harbour in the centre of the City has a vital role in protecting the City from combined tidal and fluvial flooding, effectively acting as a large storage area. Tubbs Bottom detention dam was constructed to reduce the risk of flooding to areas downstream on the Bristol Frome. Similar approaches are being investigated in other parts of the NCA (Bristol Avon Catchment Flood Management Plan, Environment Agency 2005).

In the wider landscape areas of semi- natural vegetation, woodland, hedgerows etc all contribute to the slowing of run-off which helps mitigate flood water.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – Much of the Avon catchment is in the neighbouring Cotswolds and Avon Vale NCAs meaning that habitat and river management to alleviate flooding would need to be carried out largely in these NCAs to slow the flow of water entering the river.

The risk of surface water flooding may increase with more frequent extreme weather events and more regular heavy downpours. Managing the soil quality to maintain or improve its porosity, as well as soft landscaping and SUDS incorporated into new developments, can all help to alleviate surface water flooding.

Management of the wider landscape, such as woodland planting, buffer strips, riparian vegetation, and reconnecting rivers with their flood plains can reduce run-off and aid water storage slowing the flow of water from the landscape into watercourses and reducing peak flow events.

Opportunities – Seek to restore semi-natural habitats, thus utilising natural processes to regulate surface water flow across the landscape, particularly wetland habitats including flood plain grazing marsh, fen, reedbeds and wet woodland in the flood plain.

Reduce the speed of water flow through river/stream channels through re-profiling and naturalisation of watercourses.

Realise opportunities for flood water storage where they are identified.

Seek opportunities to incorporate grass buffer strips and restore hedgerows across slopes within river catchments. Improve the quality of cultivated soils to increase water retention and reduce run-off.

Work with the Environment Agency, water companies, local authorities, highways and developers to create more sustainable urban drainage and surface water management strategies to reduce the volume of water running directly into drains and therefore into watercourses.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating water flow
• Regulating water quality
• Biodiversity
• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating soil quality

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Unimproved pastures
• Appropriate tillage
• Appropriate stocking levels

State – This NCA has 8 main soilscape types:

• Slightly acid loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage, covering 31 per cent of the NCA.
• Slowly permeable seasonally wet slightly acid but base-rich loamy and clayey soils (14 per cent).
• Freely draining slightly acid but base-rich soils (13 per cent).
• Shallow lime-rich soils over limestone (11 per cent).
• Freely draining slightly acid loamy soils (11 per cent).
• Slowly permeable seasonally wet acid loamy and clayey soils (8 per cent).
• Lime-rich loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage (8 per cent); and
• Loamy and clayey flood plain soils with naturally high groundwater (2 per cent).

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – The slightly acid loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage (31 per cent) and the slowly permeable seasonally wet slightly acid but base-rich loamy and clayey soils (14 per cent) may suffer compaction and/or capping as they are easily damaged when wet. In turn this may lead to increasingly poor water infiltration and diffuse pollution as a result of surface water run-off. Careful timing of activities is required to reduce the likelihood of soil compaction which will also be helped by an increase in organic matter levels.

In the case of the freely draining slightly acid but base-rich soils (13 per cent), where calcareous layers (horizons) are near the surface these help provide some natural resilience and enhanced workability. Some component soils are at risk from topsoil compaction and poaching. Careful management of weak topsoils will help to maintain a good soil structure. Minimum tillage such as direct drilling can work well on some of these soils.

Development of iron pans can occur in some soils. Where organic matter is low increasing organic matter inputs can help improve soil structure.

The lime-rich soils over limestone (11 per cent) are typically shallow and droughty but due to their calcareous nature have a degree of natural resilience. These and the freely draining slightly acid loamy soils (11 per cent) are valuable for aquifer recharge requiring the maintenance of good soil structure (enhanced by increased organic matter content) to aid water infiltration and require the matching of nutrients to needs to prevent pollution of groundwater.

Opportunities – Support measures which employ minimal tillage and organic matter incorporation into cultivated soils to increase soil organic matter and also relieve soil compaction on a landscape scale.

Work with the farming community to achieve appropriate stocking regimes which avoid poaching and reduce erosion.

Support measures which increase the volume of organic matter within cultivated soils to improve soil structure and conditions for soil fauna, increasing water infiltration.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating soil quality
• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating water quality
• Biodiversity
• Climate regulation

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Hedgerows and buffer strips across steeper slopes
• Permanent grassland
• Semi-natural habitats
• Sustainable systems of arable cultivation
• Well managed livestock systems

State – The majority of soils in this NCA are at risk of erosion where management results in loss of stabilising vegetation. The soils with a clay content and impeded drainage and base-rich soils, together making up some 56 per cent of this NCA, are prone to capping and slaking increasing the risks of soil erosion by surface water run- off, especially on steeper slopes. They are easily compacted by machinery or livestock if accessed when wet and need to be managed carefully to reduce risks with careful timing of cultivations and maintenance of vegetation cover.

Equally the freely draining slightly acid soils and shallow lime-rich soils are at risk of erosion on moderately or steeply sloping land where cultivated or bare soil is exposed. This is exacerbated where organic matter levels are low after continuous arable cultivation or where soils are compacted. Indeed the only soils not susceptible to erosion are the slowly permeable and flood plain soils.

This susceptibility to erosion is reflected in the catchment of the Congresbury Yeo which falls within the North Somerset Moors Priority Catchment. Here bare and/or compacted soils created by intensive dairying, outdoor pig rearing, poultry and maize production, suffer from soil erosion leading to the sedimentation of watercourses (Defra catchment priorities identified under the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative).

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – The permanent pasture across much of the landscape reduces the risk of soil erosion, although inappropriate stocking may cause compaction and result in increased overland water flow and subsequent increased erosion.

Woodlands, dense hedgerows and permanent grassland or buffer strips across slopes and alongside watercourses can reduce the velocity of water as it flows across farmland, potentially reducing soil erosion and safeguarding soil quality.

Appropriate fencing to prevent livestock trampling the riverbanks, and appropriate stocking levels to prevent poaching and capping could improve soil quality. These measures are recognised in the North Somerset Moors Catchment priority statement14 which supports measures which minimise soil- wash entering watercourses, prevent pathways for run-off, and protect receiver watercourses.

Opportunities – Work with landowners to produce sustainable systems of arable cultivation and well managed livestock to reduce poaching and soil exposure, particularly on steeper slopes using measures such as expanding areas of permanent grassland, woodland, dense hedgerows and buffer strips across steeper slopes and next to watercourses.

Plant or restore hedges, in keeping with landscape character to impede cross-land water flow particularly during heavy rain.

Furthermore maintain and create areas of semi-natural habitat and permanent grasslands to minimise soil compaction to improve water retention and reduce soil run-off across the NCA.

Encourage landowners to make use of the Catchment Sensitive Farming capital payments for the North Somerset Moors priority catchment.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating soil quality
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating water quality
• Biodiversity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Woodlands
• Species-rich grasslands
• Species-rich road verges
• Gardens
• Traditional orchards

State – The woodlands/orchards of the NCA and small remaining areas of flood plain grazing marsh, grasslands, road verges and remnant meadows will provide a nectar source for pollinating insects.

Potentially the most important nectar source will be the very large numbers of domestic gardens which offer a rich foraging environment for pollinating insects. These lie relatively close to areas under agricultural production and provide both nectar and habitats for many insects.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – A strong pollinator population supports production of a wider variety of food products and supports food production in the future.

Although there is a reasonable spread of flower-rich semi-natural habitat across the NCA, some of which are SSSI, there is scope to improve the condition of this habitat through appropriate management and to extend it where possible, including through environmental stewardship.

Species-rich road verges provide a pollination network, linking pollinators to crops across the agricultural landscape. Less frequent cutting of road verges has helped improve their biodiversity value.

Opportunities – Improve the condition of and increase the area of semi- natural habitats, with particular emphasis on unimproved flower- rich grasslands, flood plain grazing marsh and traditional orchard.

Encourage the use of nectar and forage mixes in arable land, and appropriate management of species-rich hedgerows, to increase the availability of nectar sources in close proximity to food crops requiring pollination.

Work with, local authorities/parishes to create multi- functional green spaces incorporating sympathetic management for pollination including appropriate management of road verges into cutting regimes, adding to the network of nectar sources close to pollinated food crops.

Encourage nectar-rich planting in gardens.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Pollination
• Food provision
• Biodiversity
• Sense of place/inspiration

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Existing semi-natural habitat
• Agricultural field margins
• Species-rich hedgerows
• Woodland

State – The mixed farming nature of the area, with a spread of semi-natural habitats throughout the agricultural area of this NCA will support species that will aid pest regulation.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Increasing diversity in species and structure of field margins will increase the ability for these areas to support populations of pest regulating species such as invertebrates, birds and mammals.

There is scope to improve the condition of, and extend the amount of semi- natural habitat across the area. Linking semi-natural habitat to provide a sustainable functional network will help support sustainable populations of pest regulating species and enable them to move around the landscape.

Opportunities – Maintain and expand the area of semi-natural habitats, throughout the NCA to provide a range of niches to support pest regulating species including invertebrates, birds and mammals.

In addition, through mechanisms such as agri-environment schemes, encourage the use of field margins, beetle banks and headlands in arable land, to encourage pest regulating species in close proximity to food crop.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Pest regulation
• Pollination
• Biodiversity
• Food production

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Alternating ridges and broad valleys
• Avon Gorge
• Country houses and associated parkland
• Views outwards to the Cotswolds and Mendips
• Maritime port and city harbourside

State – Sense of place is provided by the varied topography of alternating ridges and broad valleys, and views outwards to the Cotswold and Mendip Hills, with the Avon Valley running across the centre of the NCA and the City of Bristol (with its dramatic gorge and Grade I-listed Clifton Suspension Bridge) lying at its heart and dominating much of the area.

In former mining villages, settlement is often dispersed with rows of cottages and isolated houses, with scattered farmsteads and hamlets elsewhere, while the use of local stone, including a variety of limestone, Lias and Pennant Sandstone, influences character at a local level.

Large country houses are common, their wooded parkland providing relief from the open, rolling farmland, while the Chew Valley Lake and Blagdon Lake reservoirs are distinctive elements of the rural Yeo and Chew Valley landscapes to the south.

At the far south the Victorian seaside resort of Clevedon with its grand houses and pier are evidence of an past age of prosperity and rapid industrialisation. Mill buildings add further character to rural areas, while the traditional industrial associations of Bristol, based on its port, are an evident characteristic.

Development along the M4 and M5 corridors has led to extensive built development to the north and west of Bristol, giving these landscapes a modern, transitional character.

The area is dominated in its centre by the City of Bristol with its many historical and cultural associations such as its Cathedral, University, merchant’s houses and squares and impressive views, not least the Avon Gorge, while elsewhere in the NCA inspiration is provided by parklands, ancient woodlands, historic features, ridge- top views and tranquil valley landscapes.

Bristol and the surrounding area have associations with a number of historical literary figures such as Wordsworth and Coleridge. JK Rowling, author of the ‘Harry Potter’ novels was born just outside Bristol at Chipping Sodbury.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – The NCA is of variable character contrasting the relative tranquillity of the rural clay vales with the busy city, suburban commuter towns and arterial road routes. Continuing piecemeal development, not necessarily in character with the vernacular of the area, threatens the character of some of the more rural villages, particularly in the Chew Valley.

Development along the M5 corridor particularly at Cribbs Causeway and development at Bradley Stoke and Emersons Green has resulted in the loss of large areas of farmland changing the character of the area and having causal effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services such as water availability, flood resilience, green space for recreation and well being.

Opportunities – There are opportunities through forward planning (coordinated across all 4 unitary authorities) to protect the rural character of the area from encroaching urban or suburbanisation.

Maintain the rural settlement pattern of small villages clustered around springheads or along the spring line in limestone areas, linear mining villages or scattered vale villages, linked by a complex network of lanes, using local stone to retain settlement distinctiveness according to the variability of the underlying geology across the NCA.

Maintain, restore and manage for biodiversity and recreation, the historic parklands with their veteran trees and landscape design that are all key features of the landscape of this NCA.

Maintain, restore and expand the semi-natural habitats of native woodland and species-rich grasslands that are intrinsic to the rural character of this area.

Protect the impressive views of the Avon Gorge and its setting, the Clifton Downs, from encroachment and development.

Conserve historic buildings associated with the development of Bristol as a port and the mills, warehouses and factories associated with colonial import processing.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Sense of place/inspiration
• Recreation
• Geodiversity
• Biodiversity
• Regulating water quality
• Regulating water flow

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Long timeline of historic features visible across the landscape.
• Associations with Brunel
• Bristol as a maritime trading port

State – The history of the landscape is evident in extensive prehistoric remains, including the stone circles and long barrow at Stanton Drew, the Stoney Littleton or Fairy Toot long barrow at Butcombe, the Neolithic and bronze-age barrows on high ground to the west and south of the NCA, and the iron-age hill forts such as Cadbury Camp, as well as Roman influences (the port at Sea Mills and villas either side of the Avon Valley and on the fertile soils north of the Mendip Hills).

The Saxon-era earthworks of the Wansdyke cut across the ridges south of Bristol while Bristol itself reflects its importance as a trading port from medieval times onward – once the premier port of England. Tips and pits that once proclaimed the coal mining past of the wider area are now largely covered up, though the area’s railways, canals and settlement pattern still reflect its industrial heritage.

Aspects of history likely to be particularly evident to the general public include the area’s prominent industrial/built features, notably strong associations with Brunel, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol’s Floating Harbour and the SS Great Britain permanently berthed in the Harbour, and Bristol Temple Meads Station and its strong associations with the genesis of the Great Western Railway.

The great Victorian warehouses of Bristol such as Wills tobacco stand as testament to the City’s trading past, its associations with slavery and its long maritime history. There are also a wealth of large country houses and parklands which demonstrate the previous wealth of the city area.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – The area contains a wide range of visible history across both the rural and urban landscape. The historical features of the city of Bristol are well interpreted and accessible, though there is scope to provide improved interpretation of these and more rural features to develop wider understanding and appreciation of the area’s heritage. For example completion of the Wansdyke ditch long distance footpath would provide many opportunities for historical interpretation.

There are a number of historic buildings and scheduled ancient monuments currently on the English Heritage risk register including, for example, several sections of the Wansdyke that are at risk from arable ploughing (Heritage at Risk Register South West, English Heritage 2011).

Opportunities – The protection of heritage assets should be ensured at every opportunity. Increase protection of above and below ground archaeology, for example, medieval township field systems, ridge and furrow, parkland, standing stones, hill forts, industrial relics and ports for educational and recreational purposes.

Work with land managers to protect ridge and furrow and below ground features through appropriate land cover such as permanent grassland.

The restoration and conversion of vernacular buildings should be sympathetic, use local materials and preserve local distinctiveness.

Opportunities to enhance the setting, interpretation and legibility of heritage assets should be identified and realised. There are opportunities to develop the rights of way network, create circular walks with interpretation and themed local events linked to the area’s historic and industrial heritage of national importance, to aid understanding, enjoyment and
a sense of well-being.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Sense of history
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Recreation
• Geodiversity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Rural landscape
• Parks and gardens
• Green infrastructure

State – Tranquillity has declined fairly significantly in the past fifty years, with ‘undisturbed’ areas falling from 53 per cent in the 1960s to 21 per cent by 2007.1 Disturbance is most significant around Bristol and along the main arterial routes out of the City (M4, M5, A38, A37, A4), with the only real ‘undisturbed’ areas remaining in the Yeo and Chew Valleys in the south and the rural landscapes to the north of Yate.

Bristol airport significantly impacts the tranquillity south of Bristol, and beyond the boundaries of the NCA. Nevertheless, in this highly populated NCA, a sense of tranquillity is likely to be much sought after and relative tranquillity will be found in areas of parkland and woodland, such as Ashton Court and Leigh Woods to the west of Bristol and in the many parks and squares of the City.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Although there is significant disturbance to tranquillity over much of this NCA, the provision of comparatively tranquil spaces is extremely important to residents particularly of the main urban areas.

Municipal parks and historic parklands can provide a break from the constant background noise of the urban environment. Green infrastructure planning can play an important part in providing a network of spaces that could be considered tranquil in comparison to busy urban areas.

Opportunities – Ensure that adequate green infrastructure provision is integral to all development planning in order to expand areas of relative tranquillity particularly within the urban environment.

There are opportunities to retain the remaining sense of tranquillity on downland and parklands, undeveloped valleys, woodland and agricultural land by protecting them from inappropriate development.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Sense of tranquillity
• Sense of place/inspiration

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• 2,161 km of public rights of way
• Cotswold Way National Trail and other long distance paths
• National Cycle Network and off-road cycling
• Historic parkland
• City of Bristol with maritime historic assets
• Access to water sports

State – Recreation is supported by The Forest of Avon Community Forest, the River Avon Trail, the Bristol to Bath Railway Walk, Monarch’s Way and 1.9 km of the Cotswolds Way.

Overall there is a 2,200km network of rights of way at a density of 2.56 km per km2 and around 1,000 ha of open access land covering 1.12 per cent of the NCA, which is particularly important in this highly populated NCA.

Ashton Court and Leigh Woods provide recreational opportunities to the west of Bristol, while in the east of the City there are walks along the River Frome to the Oldbury Court Estate.

In the south of the area, the Chew Valley Lake and Blagdon Lake reservoirs offer opportunities for fishing, sailing, walking and bird-watching. The rock formations also provide opportunities for climbing and caving.

The City of Bristol is a major tourist destination known for Brunel’s masterpiece, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, its maritime history, and its harbourside. Bristol was the UK’s first ‘cycling city’ and the National Cycle Network enables people to access the surrounding countryside and further afield with ease. The NCA enjoying a high density of National Cycle Network routes including Route 3 to Lands End and Route 4 London to Fishguard.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – This NCA is assessable to the large populations of Bristol and Bath and the surrounding settlements. It is also easily accessible by road or rail to people much further afield.

Tourism is important to the area and events such as the balloon festival draw in additional numbers of visitors. Outdoor recreation reconnects or maintains people’s connection with the landscape and ecosystems that supports them and encourages a valuing of their surroundings.

Opportunities for access to the countryside throughout the area are also valuable for health and wellbeing, particularly mental health in an area with such an urban concentration and provision of access is currently available through a network of green spaces and the rights of way network.

Opportunities – There are opportunities to improve access throughout the area through implementation of Rights of Way Improvement Plans, developing multi-user and “access for all” paths, clear signposting and improving interpretation to provide increased understanding and enjoyment for all.

Ensure access balances recreational enjoyment, with the protection of biodiversity, geodiversity and historic features.

Work in partnership with local heath boards to make the most of opportunities for heath and mental wellbeing through the rights of way network, connecting green spaces, parkland and downland.

Manage the historic and other touristic assets which bring people to the area to ensure they are protected, while still being accessible to be enjoyed by the public.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Recreation
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Sense of history

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Internationally designated sites
• Nationally designated SSSI
• Local Wildlife Sites and nature reserves

State – 5 per cent of the NCA is covered by priority habitats (4,300 ha): 3,600 ha of this is priority woodland (lowland mixed deciduous and wet woodland) with 900 ha of reedbeds and 600 ha each of lowland meadows and coastal and flood plain grazing marsh, all BAP priority habitats.

2,000 ha of the NCA is designated as SSSI (2 per cent of the NCA area), there are 2 SPAs, 3 SAC and 1 Ramsar site and two National Nature Reserves, the Gordano Valley (part) and Leigh Woods. The majority of SSSI in the area are currently in favourable or recovering condition.

Main beneficiary – International
/ national

Analysis – The area contains particularly important internationally designated ancient woodlands associated with the limestone ridge and Avon Gorge that support many rare and threaten species such as Bristol rock cress and the populations of unique whitebeam species. Protection, management and balancing the needs of the species with recreational pressures are crucial for the survival of these species. There are a variety of issues in the gorge which need careful management in order to protect areas of species-rich limestone grassland, rare plants as well promoting the growth of young whitebeams.

Graffiti on the rock faces and possible impact of air pollution are also issues in the Avon Gorge. Graffiti removal is difficult as it may result in pollution issues and damage to sensitive rare plants and grassland habitats.

Nitrogen deposition and nitrogen oxides from air pollution may be causing eutrophication of the Avon Gorge woodlands (Appendix 5: Analysis of Air Quality, in: Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West: Final Report, Prepared for the South West Regional Assembly by Land Use Consultants, February 2007) and could potentially lead to the loss of sensitive species.

Many of the SSSI across the NCA are designated for woodland or species-rich grassland. Appropriate land management will help to maintain and improve the condition of these sites in addition to benefiting a range of other ecosystem services.

Opportunities – Maintain and improve the condition of protected sites by working with landowners both of the sites and surrounding land, to protect sites and increase buffering and connectivity.

Work with site owners including the National Trust and Network Rail to explore methods for sensitively managing graffiti on the rock faces of the gorge.

Pollution from nitrogen deposition and nitrogen oxides are suspected to be having detrimental effects on the SAC. There is an opportunity to carry out air pollution monitoring to confirm whether this is the case and if so, inform action.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Biodiversity
• Geodiversity
• Regulating water quality
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating soil erosion
• Recreation
• Sense of place/inspiration

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Geological SSSI
• Local geological sites
• Accessible fossil beds
• Local stone used in building

State – There are 25 nationally designated geological SSSI in this NCA, plus two of mixed interest, reflecting the wide ranging geological interest and geological importance of this area. Many are man-made exposures from mining, quarrying or road/rail cuttings, but there are also natural features such as the Avon Gorge and coastal exposures. Fossil beds are prominent across the areas.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – The geological SSSI provide important access to geodiversity, enabling the interpretation, understanding and continued research into the geodiversity of the NCA.

Exposure of these features also makes a positive contribution toward sense of place and sense of history, both geological history and the industrial history of the area. Accessible fossil exposures are particularly good for instilling a sense of history in young children.

Opportunities – Maintain the largely good condition of geological SSSI in this area and work with landowners to improve the condition where required.

Maintain views of geological features and exposures and where appropriate, improve access to cuttings, quarries and other exposures of geological features to enable improving understanding and enjoyment of geodiversity and sense of history.

Promote the importance of this NCA in the history and development of geology and improve intellectual access and understanding of the geological features of the area.

Work with partners to explore methods for sensitively managing graffiti on the rock faces of the gorge.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Geodiversity
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Sense of history