DWT State of Nature in Dorset

Across Dorset over 400 land and freshwater species recorded in the past are now extinct, about 1 in 40 species.  These include the pearl bordered fritillary butterfly, shrill carder bee and chough.  Some 2,500 more species are still here (about 15% of the total) but are threatened, rare, scarce or protected, including over half the bee species and 42% of butterflies.

Decline to development, pollution, persecution and climate change, but by far the largest impact is land use change.  Between 1930 and 1980 and in line with government policy that favoured food production over wildlife, there was a stark loss of nature-rich grassland in favour of improved grasslands and arable crops.  Urban areas and coniferous woodlands also increased, heathlands were destroyed and fragmented, hedges lost and river corridors narrowed.

15 priority marine habitats in Dorset, including rocky reefs with sponges and sea fans, seagrass beds and the subtotal and intertidal muds of our harbours.  Around 157 species of conservation concern are known to occur.

30 by 30 target
It is estimated nature if thriving or recovering on only 6.4% of Dorset’s land area.  22% of land does have some form of recognition or protection for wildlife or is within areas with high local wildlife value, although not all of this is managed for nature.  So, if encourage landowners to adopt nature friendly management of that land and extend it to another 8% of land, we could reach the 30% target.

At sea 24% marine area is protected with few areas actively managed for nature.
Ref: Natural Value Report 2022 - Dorset Local Nature Partnership
Dorset Environmental Records Centre