More, bigger, better, joined

Question 1

Improve the quality of current sites (better)

Answer 1

• SSSIs under managed
• Lawton suggests increasing investments to manage current habitats
• Good management leads to increased wildlife benefits e.g the population of large blue butterflies are less likely to go instinct and produce up to 100 times more emigrants
• Less new habitats will have to be created
• Enhanced ecosystem services

Question 2

Increasing the size of current habitats (bigger)

Answer 2

• Lawton suggests bigger sites are more preferable than smaller because they contain more species
• Great geological diversity
• Easier to restore and promote more natural processes
• Important when choosing sites to enlarge as some species require ecotones
• Ecotones can sometimes be squeezed out as management hardens - one approach is to soften these to create a more gradual transition
• Less direct management, less cost

Question 3

Create new sites (more)

Answer 3

• Lawson suggests creating more smaller sites as part of ‘stepping stone’ sites
• Increase connectivity
• Considerable conservation benefits for poor dispersing species (e.g. marsh fritillary)

Question 4

Enhance connection between wildlife sites (joined)

Answer 4

• Connections made through stepping stone habitats and linear features features such as canals, rivers, railway embankments and hedges
• Reduces risk of regional extinction in meta-populations
• Enhance the functioning of natural processes