Wildlife - Designations

Ramsar Site (International)

Sites identified by the signatory states to the International Convention at Ramsar, Iran in 1971, for the protection of internationally important wetlands and wildfowl habitats.  In the UK, the sites are identified by English Nature on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

cSAC  -  Candidate Special Area of Conservation (European)

Areas of open water and land of international importance designated under the European Union "Habitats Directive" for the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora, which are considered rare or endangered and are recognised as being under particular threat.  In the UK, the Government have decided that all land areas included will already be SSSI's but that SAC's may include areas at sea.

SPA  -  Special Protection Areas (European)

Areas of land and wetland of international importance classified under the European Union "Birds Directive" to conserve the habitats of rare and migratory wild birds.  In the UK, the Government have agreed that SPA designations will only be applied to areas which are also recognised as being of national importance as SSSI's.  The designations in the UK will therefore only relate to areas above the mean water level.

SSSI  -  Site of Special Scientific Interest (National)

Areas of land of special scientific interest by reason of its fauna, flora or geological or physiographical features, notified by English Nature under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.  Consultation with English Nature is required, if works are proposed which could damage the scientific value of features in this area.

NNR  -  National Nature Reserve (National)

Areas of land or wetland of national or international importance, by reason of areas of natural or semi-natural vegetation declared as a national nature reserve by English Nature, who may make by-laws to protect the flora and physiological and geomorphological interest.

LNR  -   Local Nature Reserve (Local)

Areas of land or wetland of local importance declared by the Local Authority, in consultation with English Nature under the provisions of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.  LNR's are normally owned or managed under agreement by the Local Authority, who make by-laws to protect the fauna and flora.

SINC  -  Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (Local)

Areas of land and wetland of local importance for the conservation of semi-natural habitats including mosaics of heathland, unimproved grassland, scrubland and plantation, and/or habitats which support rare local wildlife species.  They may not be of sufficient extent or quality to qualify for national recognition as an SSSI.