127 - Isle of Wight : Analysis: Ecosystem Services

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Climate
• Geology
• Cattle
• Dairy
• Crops including cereals and garlic
• Horticulture
• Vineyards

State – Most of the agricultural land is Grade 3 (78 per cent) with just 3 per cent of Grade 2, and 3 per
cent Grade 4.

The underlying geology and diversity of landform dictates the suitability for farming practices and has led to a mixed patchwork landscape, traditionally of small scale farmsteads (nearly half of the holdings are below 20 ha). Over half the farmed land is grass or uncropped, whilst 32 per cent is cultivated for cereals, root crops, oilseeds and other arable crops. There are a number of horticultural holdings.

Many smaller farms continue to rely on mixed activities; however this now encompasses diversification activities such as tourism (holiday lets), retail (farm shops) and more recently renewable energy production such as solar power and bio- fuels.

The Island has three local vineyards including Adgestone which is one of the oldest vineyards in Britain. The southerly location also makes for good chilli and asparagus growing conditions.

The Isle of Wight garlic farm in the east of the Island is the UK’s largest specialist garlic grower. The warm climate, long hours of sunshine, underlying diversity of geology and soils and good access to ground water and aquifers facilitate the production of food here.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – Food production from a mixed farming landscape is a key service in this area. The levels and type of food produced reflect the favourable climatic conditions and the versatility and productivity of the area.

Changes in climate and weather patterns may challenge the traditional outputs from the area, but new opportunities may also arise. Maintaining soil structure and condition will also be necessary to maximise adaptability.

The importance of agriculture, both in the past and as a current influence on landscape character, historic and natural environments should not be understated. There is a need to support and encourage sympathetic land management practices for their landscape benefits and to continue to providing high quality local Island produce. This is partly delivered through EU funded agri-environment schemes designed to add landscape, ecological and cultural value.

Uptake of agri-environment schemes should be encouraged and further development of farmer markets would also continue to promote and highlight the Island as a key provider of high quality local food and drink.

Risks associated with the viability of farming on the Island are heightened by the fact that Island status incurs additional cost of transport to processing centres and markets on the mainland. Island farmers face additional disadvantages through the lack of local supportive infrastructure. Livestock farmers are increasingly under pressure as rising prices and changing legislation create difficulties exacerbated by the lack of an abattoir or incinerator.

Local farmers markets and local restaurants provide a good outlet for locally grown food, for both tourists and local residents.

Opportunities – Work with local farmers and landowners to support and encourage sustainable farming to ensure productivity remains high without adversely impacting ecosystem services such as soil and water quality, heritage and biodiversity.

Encourage the uptake of agri-environment schemes to contribute to providing high quality Island produce and maintain the mixed farming landscape character.

Continue to work with the local farming community to explore how and where to increase the overall carrying capacity of livestock across the Island while avoiding adverse impacts on other ecosystem services such as soil and water quality.

Identify areas where reduced stocking rates or changes in management techniques would positively influence water quality and reduce potential soil erosion, while maintaining viable levels of productivity.

Encourage the development of farmers markets to promote local food, thus contributing to sense of place and highlighting the intrinsic relationship between farming activities and the Island landscape.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Coniferous woodland
• Broadleaved woodland
• Copses
• Ancient re-planted woodland (PAWS)

State – Overall the provision of timber is low, and the 13 per cent of woodland cover is mainly comprised of smaller broadleaved woods and copses. Around 4 per cent of the Island’s woodland is classified as ancient semi-natural woodland or ancient re-planted woodland.

The majority of woodlands are located on wetter soils and are predominant landscape features north of the central chalk ridge. Where they do occur near the chalk downland or sandstone hills they tend to be on steep slopes. Secondary woodland areas are also found on coastal slopes.

Plantation woodlands such as Brightstone and Parkhurst Forests which comprise both coniferous and broadleaved woodland are currently managed for timber production, whilst also being managed for key species such as red squirrel, and providing recreational opportunities.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Woodland on the Island is generally under-managed and timber production is a marginal activity as the value of the timber is low and transport to the mainland is expensive. There are therefore opportunities for encouraging greater emphasis on local woodland markets thus increasing sustainability.

Opportunities for commercial timber production from conifer plantation are limited within this area and much of the broadleaved woodland is either of high nature conservation value or has limited access.

Bringing the broad-leaved woodland under traditional management would provide some potential for provision of timber, but only to local markets. Increased biodiversity and soil stability may result from positive, targeted management.

There are opportunities to increase woodland cover in the area, which could improve rainwater infiltration and reduce river flood flows. This needs to be done in accordance with the landscape character and without adverse impacts for archaeology, biodiversity or food provision.

Clearance of timber from some conifer plantations may provide opportunities to restore to more valuable semi-natural habitats. However, some conifer retention is necessary for the red squirrel population and Scots pine is a feature across the Island on the sandstone south of the chalk ridge.

There may also be opportunities, for example through European funding sources, to develop initiatives to improve the viability of local woodlands.

Opportunities – Explore opportunities to bring existing deciduous woodland into traditional management where possible to create a local supply of timber for local wood products and provide benefits for biodiversity and soil quality and erosion.

Explore opportunities for clearance of timber from some conifer plantations and restore to more valuable semi natural habitats, while ensuring conifer is retained as appropriate for the red squirrel population.

Explore opportunities to increase woodland cover to contribute to regulating water flow and water quality while ensuring that damage to important wildlife habitats and archaeological sites are avoided.

Explore opportunities to develop initiatives to improve the viability of local woodlands and wood fuel markets.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Timber provision
• Biodiversity
• Sense of history
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating water quality
• Regulating soil quality
• Recreation

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Aquifer
• Rivers
• Chalk springs
• Soils

State – The main rivers are the Medina and the Eastern Yar, both rising as springs from the chalk of the
Southern Downs and gaining flow as they cross the Lower Greensand.

There are three major aquifers on the Isle of Wight, all of which are heavily abstracted. Two are below the outcrops of chalk and upper greensand in the central ridge and the Southern Downs and the third is under a substantial area of sands and clays, the Lower Greensand, in the southern half of the Island.

Most (78 per cent) of the water abstracted on the Island is used for public water supply. Of this, some 68 per cent is abstracted from groundwater sources, with the remainder from surface water.

The public water supply is also dependent upon the import of water from the mainland via an under-sea pipeline which supplies about a quarter the Island’s needs. The supply comes from the River Test at Testwood.

Two augmentation schemes discharge water into the Eastern Yar upstream of Sandown and at Blackwater, fed by groundwater from boreholes.

The Eastern Yar is classed as being ‘over abstracted’, as is a tributary of the Medina (Lukely Brook), while the Medina itself is ‘over licensed’. One small stream on the southwest coast has water available (Brightstone Stream). The Southern Downs Chalk aquifer has ‘no water available’, while the Central Chalk East and the Lower Greensand aquifers are ‘over licensed’ and the Central Chalk West aquifer is ‘over abstracted’.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – The Island’s aquifers provide most of the water supply for the area. However, they are fully or over used. Extra demand is met by importing water from the River Test in Hampshire through an under-sea pipeline; this supplies about a quarter of the Island’s needs.

Of all the Water Resources Management Units assessed by the Environment Agency on the Island, nearly all are classified as over-licensed or over-abstracted. The Isle of Wight Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy (CAMS) identified future housing development pressures on public water supply as a main issue.

With increased development in South Hampshire and potential impacts of climate change, there may be growing pressure on the supply from the River Test. Additionally there is an energy cost associated with the pumping and balancing the water system network. There is a need for the Island to achieve greater self-sufficiency.

Agriculture and horticulture are important economic activities reliant on water resources for irrigation, but most growers have constructed or are constructing winter- fill reservoirs, in line with Environment Agency policy. The River Basin Management Plan states that for the Island to become more self-sufficient in water resources, it is critical to improve water efficiency and protect the groundwater from pollution (Isle of Wight Core Strategy , Isle of Wight Council, 2012).

The move to slow irrigation allows more accurate scheduling of irrigation with less wastage from run-off. Land management practices, such as minimising compaction, are important to improving soil structure, water infiltration, and storage of surface water run-off.

There are actions to mitigate low flows in the Lukely Brook caused by abstraction at Bowcombe. Other measures can be taken to reduce use of water and improve capture and use of rain water, as set out in the Southern Water Resources Management Plan 2010-2035 (, Southern Water, 2009).

The Island’s varied wetlands support an exceptional variety of wildlife, including some of the most important water vole populations in the UK, all of which are dependent upon an adequate supply of water.

Opportunities – Explore ways to increase the water retention ability of the soils, and improve infiltration rates and reduce the rate of water loss through maintaining and establishing semi- natural habitats including woodland, grassland and scrub.

Target drainage management to increase the Island’s self-sufficiency in water provision.

Manage farmland to minimise run-off, encouraging the use of contour ploughing, buffer and infield strips, restoring hedgerows and targeting scrub growth.

Advocate greater self-sufficiency for fresh water and promote sustainable practices in rain water capture and use.

Consider practices such as use of water efficiency kits, asset improvement schemes for groundwater sources and optimisation of cross-Solent inter-zonal transfers.

Continue to mitigate low flows in the Lukely Brook caused by abstraction at Bowcombe to improve water availability and improve consistent water availability.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Water availability
• Regulating water quality
• Climate regulation
• Regulating soil quality
• Biodiversity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

Varieties of garlic such as Solent Wight and Elephant Garlic

State – The Island’s sunny climate affords suitable growing conditions for a range of more non-traditional crops including garlic. Grown on the Island since the 1960s the Isle of Wight is the now England’s largest specialist garlic grower supplying all areas of the mainland.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – The Isle of Wight Garlic Farm has sourced garlic from over Europe to test crops on Island soils and to take advantage of the mild climate. As a result a range of varieties of garlic are grown contributing to high quality Island food products and providing supplies for the mainland.

Opportunities – Maintain garlic variety collections such as Solent Wight and Elephant Garlic.

Raise awareness of local varieties and explore opportunities to promote garlic as a distinctive Island food product.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Existing conifer plantations
• Broadleaved and coppice woodlands

State – Woodland currently covers some 5,000 ha (13 per cent) of the area. Of this, broadleaved woodland accounts for 3,887 ha.

The existing woodland offers high potential for the provision of biomass, both through bringing unmanaged woodland under sensitive management or as a by- product of timber production.

Most of the NCA has a low potential yield for short rotation coppice (SRC), with areas of medium potential occurring in the north and west of the Island. Miscanthus yield is potentially high throughout the area apart from a very small area in the south east around Ventnor where it is low.

Further information on the potential landscape impacts of biomass plantings within the NCA can be found on the Natural England website.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – It may be possible to produce some biomass as a result of bringing woodlands into management, particularly through traditional coppice management of deciduous woodland. Carefully located miscanthus and SRC can provide potential climate change regulation benefits without significant impact on other services. SRC can also help improve connectivity between woodland areas helping woodland biodiversity. Inappropriately sited, both can have negative impacts on both sense of place and biodiversity.

SRC and miscanthus would be impractical on steep valley sides but there are possible opportunities on lower slopes and where valleys open out to flood plains. There would be benefits in including small copses and beech and ash woodland on the lower slopes of the downs

Key habitats and archaeological sites and their settings would need to be avoided in order to respect historic landscape character and biodiversity interest.

Opportunities – Explore opportunities to bring local woodlands into traditional coppice management to generate supply for wood fuel initiatives.

Consider supporting the opening up of further woodlands to sensitive harvesting of timber for wood fuel.

Planting of suitable native broadleaved species for biomass could be accommodated on lower slopes.

Explore the possibility of under managed hedges and hedgerow trees being managed for biomass provision.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Biomass energy
• Biodiversity
• Sense of place/inspiration

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Occasional peaty soils
• Some organic rich top soils
• Existing woodland, Estuaries, wetlands, grazing marsh and permanent pastures

State – The majority of the soils are mineral soils that can be low in organic matter where under continuous arable cultivation, and less effective at storing carbon.

Some of the flood plain soil types are peaty at depth or include small areas of peaty soils, while some variants of the coastal soils may have more organic rich topsoils, which means they more effectively store carbon.

The woodland cover creates humus-rich soils that have higher carbon levels and there are carbon stores locked in the wetlands and areas of permanent pasture.

The 13 per cent woodland cover makes a contribution to the sequestration and storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – The river valleys of the Medina and Eastern Yar have peaty soils around the flood plain, which, if sustainable managed, will continue to store carbon. The heavier soils on the Wealden clay store significant amounts of carbon and should be maintained in this way.

The soils of ancient semi-natural woodland sites particularly around. Havenstreet in the north east of the Island store significant amounts of carbon and if sustainably managed will continue to make a contribution to the capture of carbon.

Estuarine habitats, particularly mud flats, reed beds and marsh, have high carbon content. While expanding the areas of these habitats may be restricted by topographic and fluvial systems, they should be allowed to develop and expand naturally and remain undisturbed.

Expansion of woodland on suitable sites could help increase carbon sequestration while also offering increases in biodiversity, regulating soil erosion and water availability.

Opportunities – Ensure that areas with peaty soils are managed well to maintain high water levels and prevent extreme drying out and subsequent loss of carbon dioxide.

Explore opportunities to expand the area of woodland adjacent to existing ancient semi- natural woodlands to realise the potential for further long-term carbon sequestration and storage in relation to woodland management.

Seek opportunities to manage organic matter inputs in soils and employ sympathetic cultivation techniques to reduce soil carbon loss and improve soil carbon storage and sequestration.

Conduct climate vulnerability mapping to identify priority at- risk sites, settlements, developments and properties across the Island.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Climate regulation
• Regulating water quality
• Water availability
• Regulating soil quality

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Chalk cliffs
• Series of bays with protective beaches Shingle ridges and bars
• Estuaries and estuarine habitats

State – The coast is of particular significance to this island NCA, which is heavily reliant on its shoreline for tourism and marine industries. Many settlements are located along the coastline.

The continual erosion, transport and deposition of sediments creates the great diversity of coastal habitats found around the Island. These include maritime cliffs and slopes, coastal saltmarsh, coastal saline lagoons, intertidal sand and mudflats and seagrass, grazing marshes, intertidal and subtidal rocky reefs and caves, estuaries and coastal woodland.

Marine erosion has continued around most of the Island to produce a seemingly continuous cliff line that varies greatly in terms of erosion rates and landslide activity, creating the distinctive coastline that so defines the area. The northern shores of the Island are composed mainly of soft and slumping clay cliffs and sheltered estuarine creeks and harbours, while the coastal habitats of the south of the Island by contrast consist mainly of high chalk cliffs and softer cliffs composed of sand and clay that slump into a series of grassy terraces.

The south coast is particularly vulnerable to storm waves from the Atlantic and many sections the coast are subject to rapid rates of erosion.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – The Shoreline Management Plan policy for much of the coastline is ‘no active intervention’, allowing natural change to continue uninterrupted along long stretches of the south-western and northern coasts. This will ensure the continued supply of sediment to local beaches, thus retaining the significant geological and wildlife conservation interest of the area.

This means that most of the coastline is subject to natural erosion processes being unprotected from the action of the sea and prevailing winter storms. The continuing coastal erosion of the Wealden clays of the south west allows fossil hunters to find plenty of loose material in which to search for fossils without the need to further damage the cliffs.

The soft cliffs are liable to cliff falls and slumping and this creates the many cliff habitats upon which many rare plants and animals are dependent, while also creating the rock exposures that are of such geological importance.

‘Hold the line’ policies are in place where development requires protection, including Yarmouth, Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Bembridge Harbour, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor. This is likely to lead to coastal squeeze in places and a reduction in intertidal habitat area.

Erosion in the gullies of the south-west chines should be managed to prevent deterioration of habitat for butterflies, bees and other wildlife. This will involve maintaining flows at critical times of the year and working with Island Roads to ensure that the road work programme on Military Road accommodates this.

Opportunities – Allow for the continuation of natural processes and encourage strategic approaches to deal with areas where this may create potential conflict with socio- economic considerations.

Restore the belt of unimproved grassland at the top of coastal cliffs, through arable reversion, to replace that lost through coastal erosion and establish the principle of ‘roll-back’ to maintain semi-natural margins and access routes.

Promote interpretations and understanding of the habitats, geology and geomorphology of coastal cliffs and encourage responsible fossil hunting without the need for digging to prevent damage.

Explore opportunities for managing erosion in the gullies of the South West chines to prevent deterioration of habitat for butterflies, bees and other wildlife.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Aquifer
• Rivers and streams
• Semi-natural habitats

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 – Water quality issues on the Island arise from a combination of sources including treated sewage discharges, storm water effluent, misconnections, domestic septic tanks and inappropriate farming practices.

Pollution and low flow are considered to be the major threats to the ecological quality of the freshwater habitats on the Island. Sustainable management practices such as encouraged under the catchment sensitive farming initiative are essential to the health of the Island’s environment.

Models suggest that much of the nitrogen affecting the Island’s estuaries and coastal water bodies comes from coastal background marine sources and diffuse riverine sources.

Restoration and creation of low input chalk grassland within river catchments could help to reduce nutrient run-off, improve the quality of the rivers and ensure that the water reaching the aquifer is of good quality.

Catchment Sensitive Farming Schemes provide practical solutions and targeted support to enable farmers and land managers to take voluntary action to reduce diffuse water pollution from agriculture.

The South East River Basin Management Plan sets out a number of approaches to adopt to improve water quality, which will meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (South East river basin district river basin management plan, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Environment Agency, 2009).

Opportunities – Work with Environment Agency to carry out investigative riverine and land based field work into the origins, causes of and solutions to pollution issues.

Work with farmers and landowners to encourage the adoption of sustainable catchment sensitive farming practices.

Support initiatives and approaches that help to ensure good quality bathing water.

Support improvements to sewage treatment works, to reduce the quantity of pollutants that are discharged to rivers.

Support the delivery of the Water Framework Directive, ensuring that approaches to achieve water quality objectives as set out in the River Basin Management Plan are adopted.

Explore opportunities for the expansion of semi- natural wetland habitats adjacent to watercourses to act as nutrient sinks and creation of grassland buffer strips across slopes within catchments to reduce sediment and nutrient run- off and improve the quality of rivers.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Aquifers, rivers and chalk streams
• Semi-natural, habitats such as woodland, wetland, hedgerows
• Coastal habitats such as clay and chalk cliffs and saltmarsh

State – Serious flooding does not occur very often on the Isle of Wight, and extreme flooding is very rare. Risks are currently greatest in Ryde (due to surface water and river flooding of Monksmead Brook), Freshwater (due to river flooding of the Western Yar) and Newport (flooding of the Medina and Lukely Brook).

Tidal conditions, exacerbated by the double high tides of the Solent can have a significant influence on river flooding.

Many rivers and streams on the Island, including the Medina, are classed as being of only moderate ecological status due to physical modifications of the river channels.

River restoration is underway on the Medina and planned for Lukely Brook to reinstate the natural channel where possible and help alleviate flooding at Newport. Flood risk management and resilience measures are required in Ryde. A tidal sluice at Bembridge prevents tidal ingress up the Eastern Yar, though this can also lead to tide-locked fluvial flooding.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Storage of flood waters and management of run-off is identified as preferred policy in both the Eastern Yar and Upper Medina, both alleviating flooding and sustaining wetland habitats through inundation. The Isle of Wight Strategic Flood Risk Assessment further identifies reducing run-off through improved management of agricultural land as a key element in alleviating flooding along the Island’s river (Isle of Wight Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Isle of Wight Council, 2007).

One reason for failure in the water environment of the Island is
modification of the form and function of the river channels, to alleviate flood risk and facilitate land drainage.

Non-native invasive species and other vegetation choking up the banks are also significant issues. To address this, work has been undertaken to remove Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed from the watercourses.

There is scope to address wetland restoration along the Eastern Yar, with meander restoration in the lower stretches, and eradication of non- native invasive species on Wroxall Stream, Monktonmead Brook and other East Wight areas.

There is scope to restore mid-sections of the Lukely Brook to improve its resilience to low flows due to abstraction in Carisbrooke.

There is potential to increase the regulation of river flooding, but also to increase biodiversity and water availability through the expansion of wetlands. Similarly an increase in the area of woodlands on steep slopes will also improve infiltration and thus reduce soil erosion

Opportunities – Adopt the principles of the Island’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, to reconnect rivers and estuaries to natural flood plains, thus utilising natural flood storage.

Expand areas of woodland and restore semi-natural grassland from arable on slopes, to improve infiltration and thus slow down run-off.

Expand areas of wetland habitats where possible, to reduce flow rates and improve infiltration and water storage.

Explore opportunities to protect and manage the flood plain of the Eastern Yar which fulfils an important local role in flood management and nature conservation, while including opportunities for access, recreation and education where possible.

Support proposals for river restoration of mid-sections of the Lukely Brook to improve its resilience to low flows.

In arable areas, introduce techniques that help to slow flows and improve water penetration into the soil. This will include soil structure restoration, restoration of hedgerows, contour ploughing, continuous cover and minimal tillage systems.

Promote appropriate on-site sustainable draining systems (SUDS) for the disposal of surface water in order to ensure there is no net loss of flood storage capacity or impact on water quality.

Work with Island Rivers and East Wight partnership to consider actions for improvements to modification of the form and function of the river channels

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Freely draining slightly acid loamy soils
• Slowly permeable seasonally wet, slightly acid soils
• Slightly acid loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage
• Shallow lime rich soils over chalk or limestone
• Other fertile loamy brown soils

State – The Island soils include almost every type of soil found in south- east England:

• Freely draining slightly acid loamy soils (covering 37 per cent of the NCA).
• Slowly permeable seasonally wet slightly acid but base-rich loamy and clayey soils (31 per cent).
• Slightly acid loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage (16 per cent).
• Shallow lime-rich soils over chalk or limestone (11 per cent).
• Freely draining lime-rich loamy soils (2 per cent.
• Loamy and clayey flood plain soils with naturally high groundwater (1 per cent).
• Loamy and clayey soils of coastal flats with naturally high groundwater (1 per cent).

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – The soils in the north of the Island are generally heavy and difficult to drain without extensive under-drainage. Much of this region of the Island remains under pasture or ancient woodland, although modern ploughing techniques have enabled more areas to be bought into cultivation. The freely draining slightly acid loamy soils and the shallow lime-rich soils over chalk or limestone which together cover nearly half of the area are valuable for aquifer recharge, requiring the maintenance of good structural conditions to aid water infiltration and requiring the matching of nutrients to needs to prevent pollution of the underlying aquifer. The latter soils are typically shallow and droughty but due to their calcareous nature have a degree of natural resilience, while both soils have the potential for increased organic matter levels through management interventions.

The slowly permeable seasonally wet slightly acid but base-rich loamy and clayey soils may suffer compaction and/or capping as they are easily damaged when wet, which in turn may lead to increasingly poor water infiltration and diffuse pollution as a result of surface water run-off. Adopting farming practices to increase organic matter levels can help reduce these problems.

The slightly acid loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage are easily poached by livestock and compacted by machinery when the soil is wet, and careful timing of activities is required to reduce the likelihood of soil compaction.

It is possible that organic matter is being lost through tillage in the more intensively farmed areas. Lack of long established organic matter makes soils more susceptible to compaction and erosion. Good agricultural practices as outlined through Catchment Sensitive Farming practices, in particular to increase organic matter, would help to improve and maintain good soil quality and reduce diffuse pollution.

Opportunities – Ensure levels of long- established organic matter are maintained in higher-value agricultural soils, minimising tillage operations where possible.

Seek to maintain and improve the stability of the Island’s peat soils and consider re-vegetation with semi-natural vegetation where there are small, exposed areas of peat soil.

Support policies and programmes that encourage sustainable soil management and catchment sensitive farming practices.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Slowly permeable seasonally wet slightly acid but base- rich loamy and clayey soils (31 per cent)
• Slightly acid loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage (16 per cent)
• Shallow lime-rich soils over chalk or limestone (11 per cent)
• Freely draining lime- rich loamy soils (2 per cent)
• Loamy and clayey flood plain soils with naturally high groundwater (1 per cent)
• Loamy and clayey soils of coastal flats with naturally high groundwater (1 per cent)

State – Around two-thirds of the NCA is susceptible to some form of soil erosion. The freely draining loamy soils, the lime-rich soils over chalk and some of the lime-rich loams (together covering half of the area) have enhanced risk of soil erosion on moderately or steeply sloping land where cultivated or bare soil is exposed, exacerbated where organic matter levels are low after continuous arable cultivation or where soils are compacted. The lime-rich soils over chalk are also particularly at risk where bare soil is exposed along footpaths and tracks or as a result of outdoor pig rearing, while there is the further potential for wind erosion on some coarse textured cultivated variants of the freely-draining loams.

Many of the slightly acid loamy/clayey soils with impeded drainage (16 per cent) are prone to capping/slaking, leading to increased risk of erosion. Soils are easily compacted by machinery or livestock if accessed when wet, increasing the risks of soil erosion by surface water run-off, especially on steeper slopes.

The wet base-rich, flood plain and coastal soils (together covering a third of the area) are all at low risk of soil erosion.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Wealden clay produces heavy soils and mostly supports pasture. These heavier soils are less prone to loss through both wind and water erosion, but damage from poaching by livestock may occur.

The chalk gives rise to thin lime rich soils, which support distinctive vegetation. Soils associated with the Lower Greensands produce some of the best arable land although the lighter nature of the soil does make it vulnerable to wind and water erosion.

Opportunities – Explore opportunities for introducing permanent grassland, woodland and restoring field boundaries in areas that are particularly prone to soil erosion or adjacent to the Medina and Eastern Yar rivers.

Enhance the quality and vegetation of improved and semi-natural grasslands through optimised grazing regimes to prevent poaching and soil compaction and enhance ability of the surface to capture and slow surface water flow.

Adopt management of soils with impeded drainage to avoid compaction and poaching during wet conditions.

Maintain permanent pasture and encourage management for increased water holding capacity.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating soil quality
• Climate regulation
• Food provision

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Lowland calcareous grassland, grazing marsh and meadows
• Lowland heathland
• Road verges and hedgerows

State – The NCA has over 1,000 ha of grasslands (calcareous grassland in particular) and heathland, along with networks of hedgerows and species rich road verges, which all provide important nectar sources for pollinating insects.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – The widespread areas of calcareous grassland, along with grazing marsh and meadows, provide important nectar sources, supporting an array of pollinating invertebrates. This contributes to the Island’s local food production viability and security.

Grassland may come under threat due to changes in land management or changes in land use practices such as the breaking up of traditional farm units for use as pony paddocks.

Sympathetic management of road verges can generate an important connected network of nectar source and also contribute to the Island’s character and sense of identity.

Opportunities – Increase the area of semi-natural habitats, particularly field margins, grasslands and heathlands.

Support the introduction of nectar and forage mixes in arable land and also the development of species- rich grasslands.

Enhance the diversity of hedgebanks to increase the range of flowering plants, and increase the area and range of habitat mosaics linking existing sites to provide nectar sources for pollinators.

Encourage sympathetic management of sites beneficial to pollinators, including appropriate management of roadside verges and hedgebanks.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Semi-natural habitats

State – The extensive species-rich and structurally diverse semi-natural habitats within this NCA will support pest-regulating species but the importance of this resource to commercial crop production is limited by distance.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Regulation of pest species by natural predators can be encouraged through the provision of appropriate habitats and resources. The greater the diversity and complexity of habitats the more predator and parasitoid species are likely to be supported.

Opportunities – Seek opportunities to link the semi-natural habitats within arable farmland through the enhancement of networks of species-rich grassland, woodland, hedges and field margins, to support pest predators and enable their movement.

Seek opportunities to increase diversity of structure and composition within areas of semi- natural habitat to support a variety of pest regulating species.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Pest regulation
• Food provision
• Biodiversity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Wide ranging views including sea and sky
• Distinctive and dynamic coastline
• Chalk ridge and chalk downs
• Variable woodland cover
• A mix of agricultural land uses
• Hedgerows
• Wide range of semi-natural habitats including chalk grasslands, heathland and wetlands
• Traditional vernacular design
• Historical landscape features

State – The landscape is recognised for its highly varied and complex geology which gives rise to a remarkably diverse range of landscape types, and which has led to nearly half of the Island being designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, along with long stretches defined as Heritage Coast.

Senses of inspiration and escapism are particularly associated with the elevated chalk downs that offer far-reaching views over the sea, back to the mainland, and over large parts of the Island.

The poet Tennyson lived in nearby Farringford House, and was inspired by the area along with many other authors.

Local limestones and sandstones are the main traditional building materials. Vernacular architecture is found amongst the various settlements, reflecting local need, materials and approaches.

The more intimate estuarine habitats and pockets of ancient woodland further provide further variety for inspiration. The juxtaposition of varied and distinctive landforms, diverse landcover and often sudden and dramatic views of the sea all contribute to an inspiring landscape.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – The Island has a varied landscape, reflecting its underlying geology. The dominance of the sea and sky in many views provides a key sense of place. The coastal areas, inland plateau and chalk ridge and downs are distinctive and composed of coherent patterns of unifying elements such as the rias, coastal cliffs, mixed farming, hedgebanks and winding lanes which produce a harmonious yet clearly productive landscape. Much of the area has an ‘unspoilt’ character, although the larger conurbations bare influence on the surrounding rural landscape and in places are encroaching on the character.

There is a need to ensure that repair, restoration or conversion of vernacular buildings is carried out with due regard to their historic environment, using local materials and techniques.

The Island has played host to many internationally renowned artists and writers such as Lord Tennyson, John Keats and JB Priestley. The Island landscape continues to be a source of inspiration for writing, art, sculpture and photography.

Opportunities – Protect and enhance the dynamic coastline, with its distinctive estuaries, cliffs and wetlands.

Maintain the essentially farmed character of the landscape and the many traditions associated with the area.

Protect the distinctive rias from inappropriate development and enhance semi-natural woodland on steep valley sides.

Consider the core components of natural beauty in relation to planning of development for towns and villages within and adjacent to the AONB.

Support initiatives that celebrate the relationship between landscape, its use and people and landscape based cultural associations.

Explore opportunities to conserve the cultural heritage of local authors and artists by maintaining the traditions that create the Island’s distinctive landscape and local sense of place.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Maritime and maritime military heritage
• Prehistoric features, flints and early ceremonial sites
• Open downland and heathland and historic enclosure patterns
• Vernacular architecture
• Roman Villa sites, medieval planned towns, Tudor and Jacobean manors and farmsteads
• Industrial archaeology
• Grand houses with designed parklands
• Scheduled monuments

State – The history of the landscape is evident in its close relationship with the sea since prehistoric times. The Island played a vital part in England’s maritime history as the prime defence of the Solent ports, and the remains of fortifications are still evident around Yarmouth and Cowes.

There are also visually prominent prehistoric burial mounds or barrows on the chalk ridge, Roman and medieval settlements including Newtown, an abandoned medieval town.

Open downland and heathland date back to the woodland clearance of the Neolithic and in particular the bronze-age and iron-age periods. Ceremonial sites are also found, such The Longstone at Mottistone.

Settlement patterns vary from small linear villages along the base of the chalk to Victorian seaside resorts, estates and villas along the coast. There are many historic buildings, such as Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House, often with designed parkland landscapes and exotic ornamental gardens, particularly along the Undercliff and at Ryde, and including Appuldurcombe, Northcourt and Nunwell.

Traditional buildings are constructed in characteristic local limestone and sandstones and dominate the older ‘church and manor’ settlements which are scattered across the landscape. Local brick buildings are common and indicate a strong Victorian influence within the towns.

While agriculture has been the main industry of the Island there are relicts of salt making industry along the north coast and mineral extraction including chalk, greensand and Quarr stone.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – The Island is rich in local customs and dialects. In Roman times it was known as ‘Vectis’ and this name is still used at the present day, particularly in connection with local businesses. People born on the Isle of Wight are traditionally known as ‘Caulkheads’, a name associated with ship building.

Many Isle of Wight place-names are of Old English origin or contain Old English elements and were first recorded at the time of Domesday Book.

The range of features present in the area allows for study of past human activity, informing current land management.

Many heritage assets, such as the Scheduled Monuments, are fragile and highly susceptible to loss or damage due to direct and indirect impacts or inappropriate management.

Maritime and coastal heritage assets are at particular risk from coastal erosion. Assets likely to be lost need timely and accurate recording.

Emphasis should be placed on the need to continue to protect and interpret the wealth of heritage present.

It is important that new development should be designed to enhance the historic environment and to reinforce local character, distinctiveness and sense of place.

There is a need for a partnership approach to the conservation of the historic landscape with the full involvement of farmers, landowners, environmental managers and local community groups in accordance with objectives of the Historic Environment Action Plan (deadlink).

Opportunities – Promote and celebrate the importance of the historic environment of the Island and encourage more opportunities for responsible access to and enjoyment of it.

Ensure that any new development is designed to enhance the historic environment and to reinforce local character, distinctiveness and sense of place.

Ensure that the repair, restoration or conversion of vernacular buildings is carried out with due regard to their historic environment, using local materials and techniques to maintain local distinctiveness, construction techniques and traditions.

Encourage continued support for the objectives of the Historic Environment Action Plan.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Elevated chalk ridges and downs with long views and little disturbance
• Undeveloped rural inland farming landscapes
• Undeveloped, intimate and less accessible valleys, rias and estuaries
• Dark skies
• Ancient and semi-natural woodlands
• Historic parklands

State – Tranquillity has declined fairly significantly in recent years, with ‘undisturbed’ areas having decreased from 70 per cent in the 1960s to just less than 40 per cent in 2007. The largest areas of tranquillity lie away from the main transport corridors ( A3020, A3054, A3055 and A3056) and the major settlements including Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Shanklin and Sandown.

A sense of tranquillity on the Island is particularly associated with the undeveloped estuaries and the southern chalk cliff coastline, the areas of ancient and semi-natural woodland, the surviving areas of semi-natural grassland, and the quieter hamlets and villages.

The lack of light pollution on the Island means that the night skies remain dark, which is rare in south east England.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – Much of the area remains undeveloped, uncluttered and free from recent development, particularly on the inland plateau and along the less accessible parts of the coast. It is easy to find somewhere tranquil in secretive woodlands, on top of open down land, in hidden coves or out at sea. Seasonally, some of the coast and estuaries become a little less tranquil due to the many visitors to the area.

Areas in the Isle of Wight AONB have a low population and little development, meaning tranquillity is higher in these areas. This is confirmed through the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Tranquillity Mapping which shows the AONB as significantly more tranquil than other parts of the Isle of Wight and south east England.

There are opportunities to further promote tranquillity as an asset in terms of well- being, escapism and access to nature. If well managed this could benefit the rural economy.

The Isle of Wight AONB has significant dark skies, special areas where there is little ambient light pollution, and on a clear night many stars can be seen. The University of Hertfordshire has maintained an all-sky camera monitoring facility at Niton for three years and has stated that – from the data we have, the Isle of Wight has potentially the best combination of dark skies and clear weather inthe UK – (Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 2014).

Opportunities – Promote and celebrate the value and contribution of tranquillity and dark skies to Island life.

Ensure that appropriate considerations are given to the impact upon the tranquillity and dark skies in all development proposals affecting Isle of Wight AONB.

Develop a better understanding of the contribution of tranquillity and dark skies to the enjoyment, health and well-being and the rural economy.

Development of local guidance documents for communities, business on tranquillity and dark skies

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Tranquillity
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Recreation

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Public rights of way and the Tennyson Trail
• Open access land
• Beaches
• Coast and sea
• Heritage
• Coasts

State – The Island has a 799 km network of public rights of way. Open access land covers some 4 per cent of the NCA) and is largely associated with the grassland of the chalk ridge.

Tourism is a key feature of the Island. Popular activities across the area include walking, riding and cycling and taking time to enjoy the open countryside. Adventurous activities include paragliding, hang-gliding and a range of water sports.

The Island has various beaches which are very popular in the summer months for traditional British seaside holidays.

Maritime activities such as sailing on the Solent, one of the busiest sailing waters in the world remain very popular as do sailing events such as the annual Cowes Week regatta.

Hamstead Heritage Coast on the north west of the Island provides tranquil and secretive coastline and offers a haven for wildlife including red squirrels and migratory birds.

In contrast, the Tennyson Heritage Coast offers open aspects and long distance views to the English Channel; a special quality of light; the iconic Needles chalk stacks and other multi-coloured cliffs; and a fossil rich coastline including the well-known dinosaur footprints at Brook Bay.

Approximately 2.5 million tourists visit the Island every year.

Main beneficiary – International

Analysis – The Island is a popular recreation destination fulfilling a broad spectrum of visitor requirements. The range of beaches and coastal towns afford opportunities for swimming, kayaking and coastal walking reflected in the Island’s annual walking festival. The Island’s coasts provide a wealth of opportunities to enjoy coastal walks with far-ranging views, and to experience tranquillity and enjoy the diverse wildlife.

The Island’s beaches and seaside provide a range of recreational opportunities such as seaside resorts and activities Alum Bay and Blackgang Chine that offer more traditional family recreational opportunities.

There are opportunities for people to experience the connections between the Island’s landscape and farming by staying in farm based accommodation or through purchasing local produce in farm shops. Isle of Wight AONB is part of ‘Our Land’, the protected landscapes sustainable tourism programme (Our Land).

The annual Cowes Week regatta, the largest regatta event in the world, upholds the strong maritime Island connections. Similarly, the Isle of Wight Festival is established as one of England’s most popular music festivals.

There are opportunities for the Isle of Wight AONB and Visit Island to promote the visitor ‘codes of conduct’ and minimise pressure on the NCA.

Opportunities – The Island’s existing network of public rights of way, permissive paths and coastal paths should be maintained and, where possible and appropriate, enhanced.

Development of new or expansion of existing recreational facilities should be sympathetic with and enhance their setting.

Provision of sustainable transport options into and within the NCA will help to manage visitor pressure and avoid potentially damaging changes to tranquillity approaches.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

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

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Calcareous grassland
• Neutral meadows
• Ancient semi-natural broad-leaved woodland
• Lowland heathland and dry acid grassland
• Cliffs and landslips
• Unimproved meadows and grasslands
• Marshes, creeks and bogs
• Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) 22,305 ha
• Special Protection Areas (SPAs) 1,736 ha
• Ramsar Sites 1,620 ha
• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 4,220 ha
• National Nature Reserves 286 ha
• Local Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) 4,295 ha
• Local Nature Reserves 79 ha

State – This NCA has 5,000 ha of priority habitat, covering 13 per cent of the area. This includes 2,960 ha of woodland (wet woodland, lowland mixed deciduous and lowland beech and yew), 793 ha of maritime cliff and slope, 653 ha of lowland calcareous grassland, 578 ha of coastal and flood plain grazing marsh, and areas of lowland heathland and reedbeds.

Central to the Isle of Wight’s rich biodiversity is its range of geological and physical features. This includes almost every type of soil found in south- east England, ranging from the poorly draining clay soils over the Tertiary deposits, through to freely draining acid soils on sandstone and gravel outcrops.

The Island’s biodiversity is further enhanced by the range of coastal features it contains. This includes the muddy estuaries, sand spits, shingle bars, saline lagoons and soft slumping clay cliffs of the north of the Island, the dramatic chalk cliffs to the east and west and the mainly sandy, soft slumping cliffs of the south coast.

The coastal habitats of the south of the Island contrast with those of the north coast and consist mainly of cliffs. These vary greatly in relation to the rock type from which they are composed. The highest cliffs are those made from chalk. These support important cliff nesting bird colonies, including several pairs of peregrine falcons.

Island status and a relatively mild climate have enabled a range of species such as the Glanville butterfly to flourish.

The Isle of Wight is unusual in having practically no deer present, which has enabled a rich ground flora and undisturbed shrub layers to develop. This creates good conditions for dormice, bats and butterflies.

Main beneficiary – International

Analysis – Various changes to the Island’s biodiversity have occurred; for example, chalk grassland has declined by two-thirds since 1850. However, a mosaic of important habitats remains (Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan, 2014).

Island status has prevented colonisation by some species such as mink, grey squirrel and deer, and allowed populations of rare species such as dormouse, red squirrel and water vole to flourish. A mild climate and coastal conditions has enabled species such as the Glanville fritillary butterfly to live at the northern edge of their European range. In some cases, it is anticipated that climate change will allow some species to colonise from the Continent, such as invertebrates, moths and bees.

The soft cliffs are liable to cliff falls and slumping and are of interest for their vegetation and invertebrate communities.

The impact of sea level rise and increased storminess on coastal habitats is of particular concern, due to the limited opportunities for the migration of habitats.

The distribution and maintenance of this diversity of coastal habitat is dependent upon the continued effects of coastal erosion, sediment transport and erosion. Interruption of these natural coastal processes from sea defences, combined with changes in sea level, can seriously threaten the diversity of coastal habitats and species.

There are areas of land that have poor soil, saline conditions or steep slopes and have avoided the intensification associated with more productive land. The result is small areas of semi-natural habitat of high wildlife value being surrounded by a less bio-diverse farmed landscape. These areas act as important sources of diversity, with the potential to re-colonise the wider countryside.

There are opportunities for the conversion of conifer plantations to deciduous woodland and the re- creation of areas of wood pasture. However, some conifer retention is necessary for the red squirrel population and Scots pine is a feature on the sandstone.

The warm southerly aspect of many Isle of Wight chalk grasslands support large populations of nationally uncommon insects such as the Adonis blue butterfly. The Island’s chalk grassland is also a national stronghold for the internationally rare early gentian which can be abundant on exposed chalk and flinty gravel.

It is important that the Island’s SPAs, SAC and SSSI with their chalk grassland, woodland and maritime habitat and associated species are managed appropriately, allowing natural erosive and accumulative processes and natural migration of habitats, but ensuring effective buffering of protected sites. Consistent data gathering and research to evidence change will be effective in directing management requirements and informing agri-environment scheme priorities.

There may be a need to control deer should their numbers impact on the rich ground flora and associated biodiversity. Deer farms should ensure that their fencing is impenetrable, and escaped deer should be removed.

Opportunities – Support measures to create bigger, better, more joined up and resilient ecological networks to benefit biodiversity.

Create significant new areas of semi-natural calcareous grassland, to buffer, extend and create links thus strengthening the connectivity and resilience of this habitat type.

Explore opportunities for the conversion of conifer plantations to deciduous woodland and the re- creation of areas of wood pasture, whist ensuring that there is some conifer retention for the benefit of the red squirrel population.

Promote, educate and celebrate the importance of the diverse habitats and species of the Island including the red squirrel and Glanville butterfly.

Monitor the impact of forces for change, such as recreational activities, development, land use, pests, diseases, invasive species and climate change, on Island wildlife.

Work with landowners to integrate sustainable land management options and provide benefits for farming whilst also benefitting biodiversity.

Explore opportunities to ensure that key habitats are maintained that are home to key Island species such as red squirrel and dormouse are not impacted on by the introduction of non-native species.

Explore appropriate management techniques for maintaining the Island’s designated sites to ensure that they are managed to retain their highest ecological value and for the species that they support.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Biodiversity
• Climate Regulation
• Regulating coastal erosion
• Regulating soil quality
• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating water quality
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Tranquillity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Bedrock and exposures (natural and man-made), Quaternary sediments
• Landforms including the Landslip, downland and chines
• Internationally important palaeontology
• Protected areas including SSSI and the Hamstead and Tennyson Down Heritage Coasts
• Vernacular building materials

State – The Isle of Wight is noted for its striking diversity of geology, landforms, and geological processes, with many important natural and man-made geological exposures within a relatively small area. Quarries provide access to geodiversity inland as well as providing building materials.

The extension of the Purbeck Monocline (a step-like fold extending from the mainland) which forms the ‘spine’ of the Island is a remarkable relic of the Alpine mountain-building episode. Other sediments, both earlier and later than the Chalk, provide a record of the conditions and climate in which they were deposited. Much carbon was locked up in the formation of the Chalk.

The Island has yielded and continues to yield diverse assemblages of Mesozoic and Tertiary vertebrate, invertebrate and plant fossils. The dinosaur assemblages in particular are of international significance.

The geomorphological processes along rivers and coast are of considerable importance and demonstrate a dynamic and responsive coastline functioning naturally.

The Ventnor Undercliff and parts of the northern coast from Cowes to Gurnard are subject to complex land movements resulting from tilted, impermeable clay layers underlying more porous, water-laden rock types. The area is vulnerable to sea- level rise and climate change.

The Quaternary gravels of the north coast, and elsewhere, contain a number of human artefacts from Palaeolithic times.

Main beneficiary – International

Analysis – The striking geodiversity of the Island provides a unique sense of place which should be preserved and enhanced.

There are many nationally important opportunities and locations for study, research, and geo-tourism, for instance the Needles and the coloured cliffs of Alum Bay which provide two geo-tourism opportunities in one small area.

The fossil record here has contributed greatly to knowledge of the geological and ecological history of Britain, and fossil localities provide internationally significant study and research opportunities. It is important to record fossil finds and information from geological exposures as they occur, to build up knowledge and understanding of the fossil history.

The impressive chines resulting from streams cutting through the sandstone bedrock, and the dramatic landslipped Gault and Upper Greensand picturesque landscape of the Undercliff, along with the chalk downlands, provide an open- air university of geological processes. The impacts of management practices should, where possible, not extend beyond what is unavoidable to fulfil their function.

The bedrock and soils of the Island play their part in climate regulation as well as in human history. The rolling hills are often the location of spring lines and shelter which led to the establishment of settlements close by.

Opportunities – Ensure important geological exposures are properly managed to prevent them becoming obscured or otherwise inaccessible for study as a result of coast defence construction, vegetation growth, quarrying, waste disposal or other activities.

Maintain and, where appropriate, enhance access to the geodiversity assets of the Heritage Coasts, providing recreational and education opportunities.

Ensure the importance of the Island’s internationally important geology, geomorphology and fossil record is promoted responsibly to both visitors and local people using high quality interpretation to fully reflect its importance and increase knowledge and understanding of the resource.

Ensure that new developments, particularly within the AONB, reflect the vernacular through high quality build using local distinctive stone.

Identify and realise opportunities understanding of geodiversity and soils within the area and its relevance to understanding climate regulation.

Maintain natural geomorphological processes, particularly along rivers and the coast that contribute to the regulation of coastal flooding.

Ensure that all information regarding falling cliffs is recorded and ensure that coastal management techniques have a minimal impact on geological features.

Promote good practice in fossil collecting to encourage appropriate collecting which prevents damage to the resource and records what was found, where and when, to contribute to greater understanding of the fossil history.

Explore ways to promote the Island’s rich dinosaur heritage, using features such as the Dinosaur Island Trail as an educational resource.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Geodiversity
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Sense of history
• Biodiversity
• Water availability
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating soil quality
• Climate regulation