Sheffield State of Nature 2018
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Sheffield State of Nature 2018 Summary Report
2 SheffieldState
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2018 Summary Report wildsheffield.com/stateofnature Sheffield
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Overall
Ringlet butterfly by Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION
Headlines
Sheffield has a variety of habitats from moorlands
and uplands in the west, through to grasslands and
farmlands, rivers and reservoirs in the district’s centre, to a
wooded and green urban landscape in the east. This mosaic of
habitats has the potential to support a rich diversity of species. Red deer by Jon Hawkins
Introduction Over 36% of the Sheffield district is covered by
designated sites with 25% protected at European level. Local threats to wildlife mirror many
Contents This report is a brief summary of the much more detailed Sheffield
Sheffield has 253 Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs) and 17 Local
Nature Reserves (LNRs).
national trends, such as habitat loss
and fragmentation, pressure from
State of Nature 2018 report. It provides an overview of the main
2. Introduction
development and non-native species
headlines and recommendations for each habitat found across the introductions. Such threats are all
Sheffield area, drawing on data analyses and evidence collated in the
3. Overall Headlines full report which can be downloaded at Over half of LWSs are in positive conservation too real with the near-disappearance
of priority species including white-
wildsheffield.com/stateofnature management, but over 100 are still not. Over 99% of
4. Overall The Sheffield State of Nature 2018 report was developed through
Sheffield’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are in
clawed crayfish, turtle dove and
water vole from the district.
Recommendations ‘favourable’ or ‘unfavourable recovering’ condition, higher
the Nature Counts partnership – a collaboration of Sheffield & than the UK figure.
5. Sheffield Overview Rotherham Wildlife Trust; Sheffield City Council Ecology Unit;
Museums Sheffield (Weston Park Museum); the University of There are many dedicated individuals,
6. Woodland & Trees Sheffield; Sheffield Hallam University; Sorby Natural History Society;
16% of Sheffield is wooded, far higher than the UK
groups and organisations that work
tirelessly to record, monitor and
and Sheffield Bird Study Group. The project was funded by the
7. Waterways & Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and we would like to thank HLF and average of 10%. Sheffield supports over a third of
South Yorkshire’s woodland, despite covering less than
protect Sheffield’s habitats and
species. Their contributions to wildlife
Standing Water National Lottery players for supporting Nature Counts.
a quarter of the area, and 1,256ha of ancient woodland conservation are reflected both in
As well as producing this summary and the full Sheffield State
8. Moorland, Upland of Nature 2018 report, the Nature Counts team also delivered a
can be found across the district, 92% of which is
protected to some extent through site designations.
the knowledge we have of Sheffield’s
wealth of wildlife and in the recovery
& Heathland number of training workshops and undertook a series of citizen of species and habitats.
science projects, including mapping native bluebells across the city
9. Grassland & and recording the return of the otter to the River Don in the heart
Farmland of Sheffield. The data and results from these surveys have been
Over 90% of Sheffield’s residents have access to a Despite these efforts, there is still
large area of woodland within 4km of their home.
10. Urban
incorporated into the main report. a great deal we do not know about
The Nature Counts steering group would like to thank all those Sheffield’s natural environment
11. Local Action & who have contributed to the whole project and in particular to Sheffield’s woodland birds are doing well but others
are mirroring national declines. 4 out of the 5 most
and the wildlife it supports. Despite
having a wealth of data, there are
Report Details the Sheffield State of Nature 2018 report. Many local groups and
individual volunteers have contributed time and effort, often over severe declines of local bird species correspond to still many gaps for some species or a
many years, to recording and monitoring our local wildlife. Without farmland specialists. lack of consistency in data collection
them the report would not have been possible. that make it difficult for us to identify
Cover photo:
and report with confidence, changes
Sheffield view by Rob Miller The Nature Counts steering group would also like to thank the Rivers are central to Sheffield’s ecology and draw wildlife over time. Many areas of additional
project team and in particular Sara Blackburn for her dedication and into the heart of the city. 26 out of 31 fish species have priority habitat are known but
commitment to producing the report. recolonised and otters have returned to the Don. unmapped e.g. grassland, and so
We hope that the Sheffield State of Nature 2018 report will be a Many people and organisations have worked hard to unprotected, leaving them vulnerable
catalyst for nature conservation across Sheffield – to better inform reverse the negative impacts of Sheffield’s industrial to degradation.
and target delivery, working in partnership across the city for the past on its waterways.
benefit of wildlife and people.
4 Sheffield
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Overall Sheffield
Recommendations Overview
Reservoir view by Claire Watts
Develop targeted conservation action plans Carefully balance recreational demand with The setting of Sheffield in its ‘golden frame’, with its hills and valleys and the heritage
for key indicator and priority species or local undisturbed areas for wildlife and, where of trees and parks, continues to be a major asset that is appreciated by residents and
species in severe decline, including otter, necessary, tailor this to meet the requirements of visitors alike. The natural environment with its variety of wildlife is valuable in its
hedgehog, white-clawed crayfish and key species and habitats. own right but can also contribute to the economic and social vitality of the city. The
breeding waders. green spaces within the built-up areas make an important contribution to the life
Develop strategic plans to minimise the of the city. The challenge is to protect and enhance the city’s natural assets both to
Promote the value of LWSs for both wildlife introduction and spread of key invasive support the regeneration of the city and as features of value in their own right.
and people and increase the resources non-native species and their impact on local
available for monitoring and management native wildlife and habitats. This includes Challenge 13: A city that prizes its green environment. Sheffield Development Framework
so that the number of sites in positive effective management as well as raising Core Strategy, Sheffield City Council, 2009.
conservation management can be increased. awareness with the general public.
Work with landowners, land managers and Improve and increase habitat connectivity Designated Sites Habitat Coverage
farmers to raise awareness of habitat and across Sheffield using landscape features
species management to both improve and such as woodland blocks and wildlife corridors.
increase habitats for wildlife such as wetland This includes the restoration, protection and Local Nature
and farmland birds. management of hedgerows, rural road verges
Reserves 606ha Water
and field boundaries. Local 2%
Woodland is the dominant Cultivated land
Wildlife Sites
Increase the knowledge of our natural habitat within LNRs (82%). 5% Bare surfaces
resources by surveying and mapping known 4,191ha Buildings
6 Sheffield State of Nature 2018 Summary Report wildsheffield.com/stateofnature Sheffield
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Woodland & Trees Waterways &
Using our standard methods, 14.8% or 5,454ha of Sheffield is classed as woodland. iTree statistics
suggest even greater coverage of 5,946ha or 16.2%, substantially higher than the national figure of
10%. Total tree cover for the Sheffield district, calculated by iTree, is 18.4%.
Standing Water
Sheffield’s rivers and the quality of their waters have
undergone vast improvements in recent decades, resulting in
23.5% of Sheffield’s lowland woodland Over half of Sheffield’s woodlands are covered a substantial increase in biodiversity.
is categorised as ancient by designations such as LWS and 63% of land
semi-natural woodland with LWS designation is woodland. Most sites are
(ASNW) or plantations on improving; over 70% of woodland habitat within The current ecological status of Sheffield’s Local ponds provide important habitats for
ancient woodland sites (PAWS). LWSs is in positive conservation management. rivers is variable; assessments conducted by the species such as great crested newts and
This covers 3.5% of the Sheffield Over 92% of ancient woodland is covered by a Environment Agency show that most stretches dragonflies and many have benefitted from
district and is higher than the site designation. are of an overall moderate status. Quality recent restoration work. Dragonfly diversity
European otter by Andy Rouse/2020VISION
figure of 2.3% for the UK. improves with increasing distance from central has significantly increased, partly due to
Compared to UK trends, bird species considered industrialised areas. improvements in water quality and associated
Sheffield’s woodlands are in the UK Biodiversity Indicator ‘C5b: woodland emergent waterside vegetation.
a valuable recreational birds’ are doing well, particularly woodland Otter and several fish species have now returned
resource. 94% of people generalists, indicating the good health of to the Don as a result of improving water quality Threats to Sheffield’s waterways and wetlands
have access to a large Sheffield’s woodlands. and the installation of fish passes. 26 out of 31 include pollution, physical modification of the
woodland (20ha) within species of fish historically found on the Don have river and invasive species. Invasive non-native
4km of their residence Threats to woodlands in Sheffield include now recolonised the river. species which have a stronghold on Sheffield’s
and nearly half of habitat fragmentation, damage from recreation river systems include Japanese knotweed,
Sheffield’s population has and spread of invasive species from gardens. Reservoirs, such as Redmires, provide hugely Himalayan balsam, signal crayfish and
access to a 2ha woodland Continued improvements in woodland important habitats for many species of breeding American mink.
within 500m of their home. management, including the input of local groups, birds including curlew, golden plover and snipe.
can help tackle this.
Recommendations
Recommendations Continue to deliver conservation actions that
support the return and expansion of fish species,
Continue to strategically tackle invasive
non-native plant species such as Japanese
Continue to deliver conservation actions that Further improve our knowledge of woodland including salmon. knotweed and Himalayan balsam.
support the return and expansion of willow tit fungi and promote the use of habitat piles and
and pied flycatcher, including more standing lying deadwood. Continue to monitor and improve our knowledge Promote the importance of Redmires Reservoir
deadwood and tree thinning. of otter on our waterways and ensure that (within the Peak District National Park and
Further improve our knowledge of woodland planners, developers and construction companies therefore not designated as a LWS) as a bird
Increase diversity in tree planting to promote butterflies by promoting and enabling local are aware of the importance of this protected breeding and wildlife site and develop co-
greater woodland resilience against destructive groups in monitoring butterfly populations, species and the habitats it relies on along the Don ordinated habitat management plans amongst
pathogens and fungi e.g. Chalara. to better inform future conservation activities and elsewhere. relevant landowners and other stakeholders.
Wood warbler by Andy Rouse/2020VISION
through the use of the woodland butterfly
Continue to work in partnership with the local indicator. Continue efforts on improving the overall Work with Natural England and other stakeholders
community and police to reduce motorcycling condition of rivers particularly parts of the to support and promote the improvement of
and off-road activity in key woodlands in the Develop, through open partnership, a long- Porter and urban sections of the River Don. This water and wetland SSSIs to favourable condition.
north of Sheffield and ensure that wildlife is not term citywide strategic plan that considers how includes: removing restrictions and barriers for
detrimentally affected by increased recreation Sheffield’s urban street trees can be valued and wildlife whilst maintaining biosecurity; managing Promote the importance of ponds for wildlife,
and disturbance at these woodland sites. managed appropriately to better contribute water extraction sensitively; re-naturalising rivers encouraging public bodies, developers, land
to improving people’s health and wellbeing, by removing modifications; and tackling owners and farmers to incorporate ponds into
reducing noise and air pollution, improving flood diffuse pollution from agriculture, new schemes. Provide advice to enable the public
Undertake effective prosecution of fly-tippers industry and other sources.
and promote successful cases. risk management, helping to mitigate for climate to include ponds in private gardens or improve
change, supporting biodiversity and encouraging the wildlife value of existing garden ponds.
community engagement and cohesion.
8 Sheffield State of Nature 2018 Summary Report wildsheffield.com/stateofnature Sheffield State of Nature 2018 Summary Report 9
Moorland, Upland Grassland
& Heathland & Farmland
12% of the Sheffield district is covered by heathland with an additional 12% of blanket Sheffield has over 7,528ha of grassland and arable land, over
bog. Several key priority moorland habitats are present, including lowland and upland half of which is improved grassland. Unimproved grasslands
heathlands, blanket bogs and upland flushes, fens and swamps with most lying within – the most beneficial for wildlife – cover less than 10% of all
designated sites. grasslands and farmland.
Less than 10% of grassland is covered by
Most of Sheffield’s moorland habitats lie within The UK Biodiversity Indicator ‘C5e: wintering designated sites. 46 LWSs featuring grassland
the Peak District National Park. However, some waterbirds’ highlights further species in trouble habitats – covering 138ha – are in positive
important heathland lies outside of the National including dunlin, redshank and lapwing, conservation management but these make
Park, mostly contained within LWSs. with declines attributed to land management up only 39% of LWS grassland habitats. Most
practices and habitat loss. grassland within LWSs is amenity grassland.
Over 95% of moorland habitats are covered by
Barn owl by Danny Green/2020VISION
designated sites, mostly with the highest level of Over 9,350ha of farmland is under agri- The UK Biodiversity Indicator ‘C5a. farmland birds’
European protection. Recommendations environment schemes which are working shows that most specialist farmland birds are
declining due to changes in agricultural practices.
to improve grassland, field boundaries and
99% of Sheffield’s moorland within SSSIs is in arable land for a variety of outcomes such as 4 of the 5 most severe declines of breeding birds
Tackle declines in local birds of prey by
either ‘favourable’ or ‘unfavourable recovering’ increasing wildlife habitat and tackling declines are farmland specialists.
improving habitat, raising awareness and
condition, compared to a UK figure of 94% for challenging wildlife crime, and by addressing of farmland birds.
all SSSIs. overly intensive management for grouse Current threats to farmland and grassland
shooting that is applied by some landowners Priority grassland sites are likely to be under- habitats include agricultural intensification,
Characteristic moorland species include red and managers. represented and mapping is incomplete. More lack of protection, neglect and pressure from
grouse, sphagnum mosses, ling heather action is required to fully understand how much development and urbanisation.
and bilberry bumblebee. Key species such as Actively promote and practically support priority grassland lies within the district.
cuckoo, ring ouzel, nightjar, peregrine farmers, land managers and landowners in
falcon and mountain hare may be applying for, and managing, agri-environment
at risk from disturbance and, in
some cases, persecution.
schemes, especially as current schemes are Recommendations
replaced following Brexit.
Continue to deliver conservation actions that Actively promote and practically support farmers
Most heathlands without Continue to deliver conservation actions support the return and expansion of the barn and landowners wishing to apply for mid-tier
LWS designation are at risk that support the return and expansion of owl. This includes habitat improvement, raising Countryside Stewardship and any appropriate
of insufficient ongoing nightjar. This includes habitat improvements awareness of rodenticide, improved monitoring replacement scheme after Brexit.
management. and ensuring that they are not detrimentally and installation of barn owl boxes.
affected by increased recreation and Encourage the creation of new hay meadows
disturbance at key locations. Develop the positive conservation management and the planting of ‘arable weeds’ and meadow
of rural road verges to act as corridors and species where appropriate e.g. cowslip and
Work with Natural England and other linkages between fragmented grassland sites. yellow rattle.
stakeholders to support and promote the
improvement of moorland SSSIs to Identify opportunities to plant new hedgerows Further improve our knowledge of fungi at
Peak District by Ben Hall/2020VISION
favourable condition. where appropriate and restore connecting grassland sites and promote the mycological
drystone walls. importance of key sites.
Focus efforts on improving the overall
condition of the two-thirds of key lowland Promote the value of local, non-designated but Raise awareness with land managers, landowners,
heathland LWSs that are currently in poor important grassland sites by encouraging Natural farmers, grounds maintenance contractors and
condition or not in positive conservation England to include them within the Higher Tier public bodies of the impact of inappropriate or
management for wildlife. of Countryside Stewardship or bringing them over-grazing and excessive mowing or cutting,
into the Peak District National Park Authority’s especially at the wrong time of year, on grasslands
Conservation Scheme. and the wildlife they support.
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Local Action
Hedgehog by Tom Marshall
Urban Sheffield has a rich history of biological
recording and active involvement in
hard to protect Sheffield’s wildlife
and wild spaces through active
Sheffield has a substantial amount of natural and environmental sciences. Without these groups conservation and restoration, many
managed natural habitats within the urban zone. This we would not have the data and insight needed with the help of local volunteers.
includes 1,685ha of woodland – covering 11% of the area to produce a report such as this. The Sheffield These include Sheffield & Rotherham
– and 2,724ha of amenity grasslands. Biological Records Centre – housed at the Wildlife Trust, Don Catchment
Sheffield City Council Ecology Unit – was formed Rivers Trust, Sheffield
in 1964 and plays a crucial role in the storage and Conservation Volunteers and
administration of environmental data. River Stewardship Company.
Sheffield has 4,290ha of urban gardens. These Nearly half of Sheffield’s LWSs and over half Many of these data are provided by local There are also many smaller groups
are important sites for biodiversity – particularly of LNRs are found within the urban zone. Over recording groups. that work on key sites around Sheffield
invertebrates. 70% of LWSs in the urban zone are in positive including ‘friends of’ groups.
conservation management. Recording groups that play key roles in the A list of active groups can be found at
Built features in the urban landscape support key understanding of Sheffield’s wildlife include wildsheffield.com/stateofnature
protected urban species such as peregrines, Many non-native species of animals and plants Sorby Natural History Society – celebrating its
hedgehogs, and numerous bat species by are found within Sheffield and some are likely centenary in 2018 – plus many species-specific This report is a summary of the full Sheffield
providing foraging, shelter and breeding to be negatively impacting local native species. groups such as Sheffield Bird Study Group, South State of Nature 2018 report. The full report
opportunities. Gardens are often the source of non-native Yorkshire Bat Group, South Yorkshire Badger can be downloaded from
species introductions to the wider environment. Group and Sorby Breck Ringing Group. Local wildsheffield.com/stateofnature
Sheffield has a diverse range of urban organisations and conservation bodies also work
conservation, management and landscape Current threats to urban habitats and wildlife
improvement programmes working to include habitat loss through development and
protect nature and improve public access to redevelopment, litter, pollution and changes in Report contributors Methods
greenspaces. These include Urban Nature Parks gardening practice and design e.g. paving
and urban LNRs. and decking. Editor & lead author for the Sheffield State of Nature A full description of the methods used to analyse and
2018 report: Sara Blackburn, Sheffield & Rotherham assess the data used in this report is included in the
Wildlife Trust. Additional chapter contributors: Julie Appendix. This can be downloaded from
Riley; Rebekah Newman; Paul Richards; and Nicky wildsheffield.com/stateofnature
Recommendations
Rivers, all Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust.
The steering group reviewed the whole report
and developed the recommendations. Additional
Caveats
Promote wildlife-friendly gardening to improve Develop more urban meadows and promote the
contributors are listed in the Appendix, downloadable The way that species and habitat data are collected
biodiversity and habitat connectivity by raising planting of native and wildlife-friendly species
from wildsheffield.com/stateofnature affects how they can be used to assess trends in
awareness about garden waste and highlighting within the city.
abundance and distribution. Despite having thousands
the impacts of pesticides, such as slug pellets,
on wildlife. Develop citywide mapping of core sites, Acknowledgements of records, most come with little detail of how they
were recorded, meaning that it is impossible to
opportunity sites, buffer zones, corridors and The production of the Sheffield State of Nature 2018 disentangle real changes from variations in survey
Raise awareness with developers, planners stepping stones (including greenspace and report was part of the Nature Counts project, funded effort. For example, we don’t know if a species is truly
and the general public about the importance linear structure) in order to improve connectivity by the Heritage Lottery Fund. We are extremely grateful absent in an area or whether it is yet to be searched for.
for the help of many individuals and organisations who This means that we have been unable to report trends
of gardens, ponds, greenspaces, sustainable for wildlife.
have contributed data, case studies, comments and in numbers for most species or provide complete maps
drainage systems (SUDS), green corridors,
guidance, without whom this report would not have for some habitats. Equally, many priority habitats have
green walls and green roofs as well as small Continue to engage people with their local not been mapped and are likely to be underrepresented.
been possible. We are also grateful to the steering group
modifications to buildings that can benefit wildlife greenspaces for the purposes of both active for providing guidance and recommendations. There are also many different ways for habitats to be
and people. Examples include conservation and recreation. mapped meaning that there may be variation due to the
hedgehog highways, swift nest box bricks Key partners and steering group members for the
original methods used. Further details can be found in
Sheffield State of Nature 2018 report are: Sheffield &
and wildflower meadows. the Appendix at wildsheffield.com/stateofnature
Raise awareness of the importance of priority Rotherham Wildlife Trust; Sheffield City Council Ecology
brownfield sites for biodiversity within urban Unit; Museums Sheffield (Weston Park Museum); the
environments to planners and developers. University of Sheffield; Sheffield Hallam University; Citation
Sorby Natural History Society; and Sheffield Bird
This report should be referenced as:
Study Group.
Blackburn, S (ed.) 2018. Sheffield State of Nature 2018
Summary Report. Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust,
Sheffield.
12 Sheffield State of Nature 2018 Summary Report
‘Nature Counts’ by
Sara Blackburn
This report is a summary of the full Sheffield State of Nature 2018 report which has been
produced as part of Nature Counts; a two-year Heritage Lottery funded project
aimed at providing an overview of how Sheffield’s wildlife is faring.
wildsheffield.com/stateofnature
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