152 - Cornish Killas : Analysis: Ecosystem Services

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Livestock for meat and dairy
• Cereals and vegetable crops
• Orchards and vineyards especially in the Tamar Valley
• Specialist local food producers for example Cornish Yarg, and ice creams
• Inshore and estuary fishing

State – The NCA has a mixed farming character where grazing livestock, dairying, and growing of arable crops predominate.

There are also some specialist farms such as specialist poultry and pig producers.

The main products derived from the Cornish Killas are lamb, beef and milk, along with cereals, fruit, vegetables (brassicas and potatoes) and pork, with localised production of apple juices, cheeses and wines.

There are still fishing fleets in many of the port towns such as St Ives and Padstow. Crab and lobster potting are common in some areas.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – The wet and warm Atlantic climate is conducive to a long growing season which is reflected in the stock husbandry regime of animals being ‘out’ for a large proportion of the year.

Most of the soils are brown earth soils which are well drained and of moderate fertility. In places they are very productive on well-favoured sites. In such areas arable farming is more predominant and field sizes tend to be larger and more regular.

Vegetable crops such as potatoes and cauliflower grow well in these rich soils and end up for sale in supermarkets all over the country.

Maintaining soil structure and condition will be necessary to maximise the response of agriculture to a changing climate.

As the margins for traditional agriculture have become tighter, there has been an increase in the number of specialist food producers such as the Camel Valley Vineyard.

Fishing fleets have declined in recent years due to economic issues and competition from the European fleet.

Opportunities – Work with the local farming and rural community to identify how to increase the overall productivity of agricultural systems within the area, seeking to increase the commercial value of associated foodstuffs while avoiding adverse impacts within the NCA and on other ecosystem services.

Develop markets that reduce the export of landed fish.

Opportunities may exist for further diversification into novel crops or livestock species.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Food provision
• Biodiversity
• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating soil quality
• Regulating water quality
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Sense of history

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• 3,476 ha of coniferous woodland
• 15,951 ha of broadleaved woodland

State – Much of the coniferous woodland is under active management for timber.

The management of broadleaved woodlands varies but there is some timber production from them. Much of the woodland grows on the slopes of valleys and is difficult to access and of high nature conservation value.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – The quality of timber produced within conifer plantations is generally low due to the wet nature of the ground, the strong winds and the nutrient-poor soils.

Historically many of the locations chosen for planting were in the poorest locations for agriculture. These areas were often rich in biodiversity. Pockets of habitats still survive within plantations and show potential for restoration.

Much of the broadleaved woodland in the NCA consists of trees that are stunted by the poor soils and strong winds found within the region. This limits their use for timber.

Opportunities – Clearance of conifer plantations at maturity provides opportunities for a single crop of timber with the benefit of releasing sites for the restoration of semi-natural habitats which would enhance landscape character; and increase the connectivity with existing semi-natural habitats, benefiting species such as the marsh fritillary butterfly.

Increased and enhanced management of broadleaved woodlands through traditional, low impact methods would release timber suitable for local use (predominantly as wood fuel). This positive management would improve habitats, help to regulate water flow and increase the stability and quality of soils.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Timber provision
• Biodiversity
• Regulating water quality
• Regulating water flow
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Regulating soil quality
• Climate regulation

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• A network of rivers and streams
• Small reservoirs
• Lakes and ponds associated with estates and manors

State – The NCA has no underlying aquifer but is an important water catchment for the county and there are several reservoirs for example Porth Reservoir that supplies water to Newquay.

The River Fowey has significantly modified flows because of the two major reservoirs in its upper catchment on Bodmin Moor.

Although there is no major aquifer, there is groundwater held in fractures and fissure systems which are available for small, local abstractions.

The main abstraction uses are for public water supply, hydroelectric power, amenity use and industry.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Water is available for further abstraction, although there are areas around the north and west coast and in the east where ‘no water available’, ‘over licensed’ and ‘over abstracted’ conditions exist. These are identified in the Catchment Abstraction Management Plan.

The NCA contains or is affected by several reservoirs including the Colliford, Siblyback, Drift, Porth, Stithians, College and Argal. For example, the River Fowey has significantly modified flows because of the two major reservoirs in its upper catchment, the Colliford and Siblyback (on Bodmin Moor upstream of the Cornish Killas NCA).

The Penryn River is over abstracted downstream of the Argal Reservoir on the edge of the Carnmenellis NCA.

River flows in the Par, Fal and St Austell rivers have been significantly affected by pollution and suspended solids from the China clay industry making water unavailable for public supply.

Opportunities – Seek opportunities to maximise the availability of water by increasing the retention of the water flows through the area. This could be achieved through the reinstatement of a natural, meandering drainage pattern and reinstating wet habitats that intercept and retain increased volumes of water which may also contribute to reducing the peak flow and flashy nature of the rivers.

Seek opportunities to realise the energy producing potential of fast flowing streams and rivers, particularly where this coincides with the restoration and maintenance of historic structures, features and management practices.

Encourage good environmental management of semi-natural habitats, and in particularly unimproved permanent grasslands, increasing the capacity of habitats to retain water and improve water quality.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Water availability
• Regulating water quality
• Regulating water flow
• Food provision
• Biodiversity
• Sense of history

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Crop wild relatives, including sea cabbage, wild carrot and Plymouth pear

State – There are several species of crop wild relatives found in the NCA.

The relatively extensive nature of agriculture, areas of semi- natural habitat and Cornish hedgebanks and especially coastal habitat, combine to provide conditions that are favourable for crop wild relatives such as Plymouth pear.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – The crop wild relatives growing in the NCA are an important store of genetic diversity which could help with the development of new food plant varieties and variants.

Opportunities – Ensure the protection of habitats supporting crop wild relatives and work with local communities to maintain and extend and continue to appropriately manage habitats suitable for crop wild relatives.

Realise opportunities to educate the public, especially landowners, about the importance of crop wild relatives and encourage further research into future use of these plant species.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Genetic diversity
• Biodiversity
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Food provision

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Small section wood from hedgerow and woodland management and the arisings from scrub management

State – The NCA has 10 per cent woodland cover; offering potential for biomass by bringing existing woodlands under management and using waste materials from commercial forestry operations. Small areas of Biomass have been established through the Energy Crops Scheme.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – The potential yield for miscanthus is predominantly high while for short rotation coppice (SRC) it is low. Opportunities for SRC are likely to be limited to the broader coastal valleys, off the exposed hill tops and linked to existing blocks or belts of woodland.

Planting of energy crops would need to be sensitively located to avoid loss of fertile and productive agricultural land and to prevent negative impacts on semi-natural habitats, landscape character and views, and heritage assets.

Clearance of scrub and the management of hedgebanks may generate material suitable for local wood fuel.

Opportunities – Seek opportunities to promote the clearance of scrubbed areas to increase the area and condition of semi-natural habitat and actively encourage the use of woodland thinning and brash as a source of local wood fuel.

Attention should be given to the removal of scrub that coincides with scheduled monuments and other heritage assets.

Identify opportunities for planting short rotation coppice and miscanthus, appropriately sited within the existing pattern of woodland Cornish hedgebanks and semi-natural habitats in the eastern part of the NCA.

Identify opportunities for using hedgerow thinnings as a source for local wood fuel biomass.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Biomass provision
• Food provision
• Biodiversity
• Sense of history

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

Carbon-rich soils

Woodland

Permanent grassland

State – A relatively low proportion of carbon is stored within the first soil horizon – between 0 and 10 per cent only. There are a few small and fragmented areas with higher soil carbon content in the NCA associated with heathland and wetlands.

The estuaries, rias and some coastal habitats, including grey sand dunes, dune slacks and reedbeds, around the fringes of the area will store high levels of carbon.

Climate regulation will also be offered by the woodlands of the NCA, especially where they are brought under management.

Permanent grasslands, particularly wet valley grasslands and some coastal grassland and wet heath, support soils with higher and deeper deposits of carbon and vegetation and are thus suitable for the sequestration of carbon.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Wet heath habitats, estuaries and reedbeds, permanent grassland and woodland all play an important role in sequestering carbon. The management of these habitats should be considered in light of this additional important role.

Areas of permanent grassland and woodland maintain higher levels of carbon storage than regularly cultivated soils. Where permanent grassland or long leys occurs, appropriate application of organic matter will result in higher levels of carbon storage and improved soil condition. The use of nitrogen fertilisers on poorly structured soils is likely to result in the release of nitrous oxide gases.

Similarly, areas of secondary and ancient semi- natural woodland support soils with higher carbon levels and contribute to the storage and sequestration of carbon.

Opportunities – Increase sequestration of CO2 through bringing more woodlands into management and expanding and linking areas of semi-natural habitats which can play an important part in the build-up of soil carbon.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Estuaries, maritime cliffs and slopes, rias, coastal sand dunes, coastal flood plain grazing marsh, inter- tidal mudflats, saline lagoons and coastal salt marsh and other natural coastal habitats and geomorphological features

State – This coast varies in local geology and structure; however, the overriding characteristics are of open lengths of sea cliff, rocky shore platforms and wave cut platforms with hard rock, resulting in slow rates of erosion, interspersed with wide sandy beaches, often sheltered by resistant headlands. Some of the exposed cliff line is naturally unstable and resultant landslides and cliff slips can result in the loss/damage to roads and footpaths.

There are a number of coastal SSSI designated for their geology and nature conservation interest. The majority of the coast is identified as Heritage Coast, much of which also forms the coastal edge of the 12 separate areas that make up the Cornwall AONB. Parts of the coast also fall within the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – The overall objective of the Shoreline Management Plan is to let the coastline naturally evolve but to support adaptation and resilience of coastal settlements while maintaining the overall character. There are areas, such as Newquay, where more active management may be needed with long-term adaptation of beaches (and their retention) to allow tourism to continue.

Opportunities – Conserve, enhance and extend semi- natural habitats backing the coast and rias, including mudflats, coastal salt marsh and sand dunes, to increase resilience to the impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating coastal erosion and flooding
• Biodiversity
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Sense of history

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Rivers, streams, reservoirs
• Wooded valleys
• Uncultivated areas on steep slopes, particularly areas of heath
• Cross-field hedgebanks (in arable)

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 – The groundwater quality is poor throughout the area generally reflecting the acidic nature of the surrounding bedrock, the presence of metals and minerals and past mining activity.

Twenty-five per cent of the NCA is a nitrate vulnerable zone. The main issues relate to nutrient leaching (phosphates bound to soil particles and slurry) and soil erosion particularly from fields on steep valley slopes under arable production or where soils have become compacted or eroded from high livestock numbers.

Areas of semi-natural habitat such as wet heath and pools help regulate water quality, holding water before it drains into the NCA’s streams and rivers. Similarly areas of woodland, rough pasture and ground, and cross-field hedgebanks and buffer strips help to intercept sediment and nutrients.

Opportunities – Increase and link areas of unimproved grassland, especially those on slopes and adjacent to watercourses which will help to reduce surface water flow rates and help intercept nutrients and sediment before they enter ground and surface waters.

Encourage the management of grassland with extensive grazing regimes that reduces the input of fertilisers.

Encourage farmers and land owners to adopt the management principles promoted under the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative.

Increase and link areas of wetlands, such as reedbeds, marshes, willow and alder carr, valley mire and wet meadows, to help filter polluted waters before they enter water courses or larger waterbodies.

Restore lost Cornish hedgebanks, particularly where they can impede cross-land flows within valleys, to help prevent nitrate, phosphate and sediment run-off from areas of horticulture in the west, and intensive dairying and arable elsewhere.

Increase and link areas of semi-natural woodland lining valley slopes to reduce nutrient and sediment run-off.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Rivers and streams
• Semi-natural habitats
• An area of high rainfall
• Hills and steep sided valleys
• Old mine workings

State – This NCA has seen a number of flood events over the past century affecting the settlements of Truro, Par, St Austell, St Blazey, Hayle and Perranporth, including a particularly widespread event in 2003.

The main rivers, such as the Camel and the Fowey, rise on Bodmin Moor and Hensbarrow Downs. Here the high rainfall, particularly on the upland moor, rolling hills with steep sides, and wooded river valleys, combined with limited flood plains, underlying impermeable granite and steep gradients create a ‘flashy’ and rapid river response to rainfall, all contributing to high flood risk.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – The nature of the catchments in the NCA makes them prone to field run-off, which can be exacerbated through inappropriate land use (this has caused flooding in the Sticker and Tywardreath areas). Tide-locking of watercourses where they drain into estuaries, high tides and rising sea levels all exacerbate flooding events.

Flood risk is complicated by the presence of old mine and mineral workings that impact drainage, discharge, storage and transfer between catchments.

Flood risk is expected to increase due to climate change, urban development and changes in land use. Accordingly development should be designed with this in mind, and river channels should be sympathetically maintained.

Flood management is a problem in this area due to the lack of flood plain storage potential upstream of settlements, although reducing flood risk in the upper reaches (for example the Upper Fal) would reduce risk downstream.

Opportunities – Encourage land management practices which assist water infiltration such as increasing areas of unimproved grasslands, rough ground and supporting extensive grazing practices.

In arable areas encourage grass buffer strips to reduce surface run-off from arable fields in autumn and winter. Also, encourage the use of winter cover crops where appropriate.

Restore lost Cornish hedgebanks to impede cross-land flows in areas of horticulture and intensive dairying and arable farming.

Develop opportunities for wetland creation providing water storage and balancing flow rates.

Increase areas of semi-natural woodland lining estuaries and on steep slopes in valleys to increase water filtration and enhance water storage to reduce flood risk.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating water flow
• Regulating water quality
• Biodiversity
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Food provision
• Regulating soil erosion

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Well-drained brown earths
• Unimproved pastures
• Semi-natural habitats

State – In general, the Killas rocks give rise to brown earth soils which are well-drained and moderately fertile. In places they are very productive on well-favoured sites leading to 13 per cent of soil being classified as either Grade 1 or 2 and a further 69 per cent as Grade 3.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Organic matter may be lost through tillage across more intensively farmed areas away from the open moorland. Lack of organic matter makes soils more susceptible to compaction and erosion.

Improving soil quality through increasing organic matter will also have potential benefits in regulating soil erosion by making it more stable and able to withstand heavy rainfall. It may also contribute towards climate change regulation, storing more carbon dioxide, though the capacity of these soils to make a significant contribution is limited.

Opportunities – Ensure levels of organic matter are maintained in all soils, minimising tillage operations where possible.

Identify and apply grazing regimes that increase sward diversity and increase levels of organic matter. Manage with extensive, and where appropriate, mixed grazing regimes to reduce stocking densities and avoid soil compaction.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Wooded valleys
• Uncultivated areas on steep slopes
• Cross-field hedgebanks

State – Soil loss is associated with arable cropping on steeper slopes with high run-off potential leading to the sedimentation of local water courses. The West Cornwall Priority Catchment (Brighten Stream, Tresillian River, Kestle River and Allen Fall and Caerhays Stream) and the River Camel Valley Priority Catchment, identified by Defra under the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative, both fall within this NCA.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Soil erosion from intensive cultivation can result in high rates of sedimentation and nutrient loss which impacts on adjacent watercourses and an overall reduction in soil quality. The selection of less well suited crop types, cropping patterns, and direction of cultivation can markedly increase the risk of soil erosion.

The intensive management of stock (dairy and beef) can lead to soil compaction which provides an enhanced surface for soil erosion to occur.

Improving soil quality through increasing organic matter will have potential benefits in regulating soil erosion by increasing the particle size making it more stable.

There is still a strong pattern of hedgebanks in the NCA. Many of these are cross-field hedgebanks which impede water flow, helping to reduce soil erosion.

Opportunities – Increase the amount of farmland managed under principles established under the Catchment Sensitive Farming initiative. Opportunities for enhancements such as infrastructure improvements, crop type, fencing of watercourses and introducing cross-field hedgebanks and buffer strips should be considered.

Restore lost Cornish hedgebanks, particularly where they can impede cross- land flows within valleys and help prevent soil erosion, including the relocation of gateways to minimise direct flow paths.

Manage and increase areas of permanent grassland and areas of semi-natural woodland to reduce soil erosion and stabilise soils, particularly on steeper slopes, especially in those areas where arable cropping on steeper slopes has resulted in an already increased risk to soil erosion.

Manage grassland with extensive grazing regimes to avoid soil compaction and build up soil organic matter.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Grassland
• Heathland
• Cornish hedgebanks
• Orchards and soft fruit production in the Tamar Valley

State – There are around 1,500 ha of species-rich grassland and heathland as well as flower- rich Cornish hedgebanks that provide an important network of nectar sources for pollinating insects.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – The contribution of pollination services to food production in this NCA is currently fairly limited as there are only a few orchards and crops that require pollination. An increase in pollinators may be required in order to provide more options for future cropping, and allow for consideration of a greater range of crops in response to changes in the climate.

Increases in the number and range of pollinators are also likely to be associated with an increase in biodiversity.

Opportunities – Further development of a network of flower-rich semi-natural habitats (including hedgerows) will provide a vector for the movement of natural pollinators through the landscape which will increase pollination potential for a diverse range of crops.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Pollination
• Biodiversity
• Food provision

No information available.

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Open and expansive area of undeveloped and farmed land
• Dramatic and varied coast of cliffs, coves, woodland and grassland
• Uninterrupted views
• Historic assets
• Parklands

State – The Cornish Killas NCA contains 43,762 ha of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), covering 19 per cent of the NCA area.

The NCA also includes 8,326 ha of the Tamar Valley AONB and several stretches of Heritage Coast. The extent of these designations reflects the outstanding natural and scenic qualities of much of the area.

The area also includes sections of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site in the Tamar Valley and St Austell areas reflecting the strong cultural identity of the area.

There is a combination of simplicity and wildness, intimacy, drama, terrestrial and maritime connections.

The area has a quiet, intensely rural quality contrasting with past industrial heritage and ancient features.

The landscape and quality of the light, culture and heritage of the area have long attracted artists, writers and photographers to the area.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – A sense of place is supported by the area’s gently undulating and exposed plateau dissected by numerous wooded valleys leading to a dynamic and varied coastline, most of which is recognised as Heritage Coast. The rocky exposed north coast with waterfalls plunging to the sea contrasts sharply with the more gentle, undulating and sheltered southern coastline of rias (drowned valleys) with wide estuaries, ‘inland seas’ and a high concentration of designed parklands with ornamental gardens and exotic woodlands.

There is clear evidence of human interaction and exploitation of the area’s natural resources for over 5,000 years, and cultural associations all contribute to the NCA’s rich and varied landscape.

Feelings of inspiration and escapism are likely to be associated with a diverse and complex coastline with panoramic views. This is a landscape that has and continues to inspire, and is reflected through the St Ives school of painters and literary links to Daphne du Maurier and John Betjeman to name but a few.

Opportunities – Ensure that the important aspects and features that make up the unique character of the area are conserved and enhanced, while maintaining a vibrant, viable future use and occupation of the landscape.

Work in partnership to conserve and enhance the landscape through the realisation of the purpose, aim and objectives of the AONB management plans.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Burial mounds, hut circles and ancient village sites, cliff castles, hill forts and ancient field boundaries
• Internationally important mining heritage

State – A strong sense of history is created by a wealth of human artefacts and cultural associations relating to the occupation and exploitation of the environment since Neolithic times. This is evident through the 711 Scheduled Monuments and 8,809 Listed Buildings in the area. The sense of history is further strengthened by 32 Registered Parks and Gardens covering 2,985 ha, a Registered Battlefield and a large array of assets of local importance.

The area includes sections of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site in the Tamar Valley and St Austell areas.

Main beneficiary – International

Analysis – The strong sense of history is created by the ever present and visible wealth of archaeological and industrial sites, buildings, structures and other evidence of past human activity, including prehistoric cliff castles, hill forts, round and bowl barrows and more recent lighthouses and relics of the china clay, tin and copper industries. Past mining activity from the 18th century has physically altered many parts of the landscape, with engine houses and chimneys forming the most prominent features.

The historic character of the landscape is further reinforced by a pattern of dispersed farmsteads and hamlets often protected by small tree clumps. Small fishing villages, now popular tourist centres, consist of buildings constructed in characteristic slate and granite which are colour washed. Market towns consist of similar clusters of buildings surrounding granite and slate churches. Medieval wayside crosses, masonry bridges, isolated churches and Methodists chapels linked with mining areas as well as coastal features such as ports and slipways are all characteristic features of the landscape.

There is also a high concentration of important designed landscapes including Lanhydrock, Heligan, Trelissick, Trebah, St Michaels Mount and Tintagel.

Opportunities – Use traditional, locally sourced materials and vernacular design in new development where appropriate to reinforce the character and locally distinctive nature of the area.

Continue to conserve and enhance both the physical remains and access and interpretation of the internationally important historic environment to further complement and contribute to the diversification of business opportunities across the area. The historic assets of the area provide opportunities for increased access and recreation, learning and research and, where appropriately managed, enhanced biodiversity interest.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Remote and isolated areas, free from major development and infrastructure, such as Roseland
• Dark skies

State – Areas of low tranquillity are found around the main towns of Truro, St Austell, Newquay, Camborne, Redruth and Penzance as well as along the main road corridors of the A30, A39, A390, A391 and the A394.

The NCA has experienced a significant decline in tranquillity since the 1960s.

Undisturbed areas have decreased from 84 per cent in the 1960s to 54 per cent in 2007 Forty-three per cent of the land is now classified as disturbed.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Characteristics of the landscape that are particularly important in conveying a sense of tranquillity are the varied broadleaved wooded valleys, wooded rias, coastline of cliffs and sandy beaches and small historic villages particularly along the coast.

Opportunities – Maintain the uncluttered and timeless quality of the network of lanes enclosed by Cornish hedgebanks, by preventing intrusive road engineering works and signage.

Maintain the low levels of light pollution by encouraging the use of street lighting only when necessary, discouraging the exterior illumination of buildings such as churches and the lighting of long driveways with bright lights.

Manage the impacts of tourism by dispersing activity across the NCA by, for example, promoting new and alternative routes for walking.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Tranquillity
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Sense of history
• Biodiversity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• A network of rights of way and open access land
• More than 300 km of the South West Coast Path
• Scattered sheltered sandy coves along the coastline
• Historic assets such as parklands

State – The NCA offers an extensive network of rights of way totalling 2,500 km at a density of just over 1 km per km2 as well as more than 300 km of the South West Coast Path.

Open access land covers 3,300 ha or 1.5 per cent of the NCA. In addition, there is access to parklands and estates.

The area is best known for its coastline, offering some of the best surfing beaches in England along its north coast and extensive sheltered waters for sailing and boating in its ria harbours of the south coast combined with sheltered sandy coves and beaches popular for family holidays.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – The area is accessed for recreation by people from across the south-west and as a holiday destination from across the UK.

This use is increasing with facilities now developing short break packages which extend the holiday period. These are often theme based using the environment as the inspiration. This is obviously providing economic benefit to the area but it is also increasing pressure on the environment with increased traffic congestion, erosion on footpaths and pressure to expand accommodation.

Local food and produce, culture and tradition complement and add to the overall experience of the landscape.

There is a risk that the most popular tourist sites will begin to suffer erosion which could have a negative impact on footpaths, heritage assets and biodiversity.

Some sports such as horse riding can have a particularly high impact on well-used routes.

Opportunities – Promote the South West Coast path and develop links with the wider rights of way network and open access opportunities to decrease over use of hotspots.

Increase opportunities for informal recreation by creating links from urban areas to the wider countryside and ensure new development offers opportunities for informal recreation in the wider countryside.

Support and develop opportunities for cycling, linking in to the current provision.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• A mosaic of habitats
• Coastal heath
• Maritime cliffs and slopes
• Unimproved and semi- improved grassland
• Woodlands
• Cornish hedgebanks
• Estuaries
• Coastal sand dunes
• Coastal flood plain grazing marsh
• Intertidal mudflats
• Saline lagoons and coastal salt marsh

State – Woodland of nature conservation interest covers up to 8,000 ha of this NCA (lowland beech and yew, lowland mixed deciduous, upland oakwoods and wet woodland) along with 3,500 ha of maritime cliff and slope, 1,200 ha of lowland heathland, 1,200 ha of coastal sand dunes and 1,100 ha of fens. Other priority habitats include reedbeds (800 ha), coastal and flood plain grazing marsh (300 ha), purple moor-grass and rush pastures (150 ha) and lowland calcareous grassland (150 ha). Two per cent of the NCA is designated as SSSI (5,100 ha) and there are 2 SPAs and 12 SAC.

More than half of the area of the SSSI is identified as being in favourable condition.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – Connectivity of habitats and the current mosaic of habitats are essential to supporting and maintaining the numbers of the more mobile species found in the area (mammals, birds and many invertebrates). Less mobile species (many plants, lichens and mosses, and some invertebrates) will benefit from new and permanent opportunities to extend their current range, particularly in the face of climate change.

There is a constant threat from non-native invasive species such as rhododendron which fills valleys, preventing the growth and regeneration of native woodland species and Himalayan balsam which extends along many river banks preventing the growth of native bankside and riparian vegetation.

Opportunities – Concerted action should be taken to improve the condition of all important sites and habitats.

Further action should be taken to increase the area of important habitats, where possible increasing the connectivity of sites and habitats, and creating more habitats where appropriate and possible.

Opportunities should be taken to work with landowners in order to encourage the preservation and creation of good semi-natural habitats, particularly within the farmed environment.

Manage woodlands to provide a good mix of native species by targeted felling some sycamore and all rhododendron.

Ensure there is ongoing work to identify current and new non-native invasive species and where appropriate take action to prevent their spread.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Biodiversity
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Regulating water quality
• Regulating water flow
• Climate regulation
• Pollination

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Mineral deposits
• Cliffs, caves and geological exposures
• Coastal geomorphology
• Mining heritage

State – The area includes sections of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site in the Tamar Valley and St Austell areas reflecting the internationally important geodiversity.

Inland areas contain less geodiversity, but provide the context for the igneous intrusions and coastal processes and spectacular exposures.

There are 34 Geological SSSI in the area and a total of 68 Local Geological Sites.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – The predominantly granite and slate geology of the area underpins all aspects of the landscape. It contributes significantly to the sense of place, history, recreation. The geology is clearly expressed in both the cliffs and tors and through its use as a building material.

Quarries, minerals working sites and former mines provide the opportunity to explore and study the geodiversity of the area. Some sites are at risk of being obscured through scrub growth.

Opportunities – Identify and realise opportunities for enhanced access to study and understand the internationally important geodiversity across this landscape.

Manage exposures and former quarries and workings to maintain the legibility of both the geodiversity and the past human activity.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Geodiversity
• Biodiversity
• Regulating soil quality
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Sense of history