The Isles of Scilly Biodiversity Audit 2008 - Cornwall Wildlife Trust

3.4 Built Development3.5 Transport & Access3.6 Air and Terrestrial Pollution3.7 Marine Pollution3.8 Water Resources3.9 Climate Change & Sea Level Rise3.10 Tourism3.11 Economic DevelopmentThis section is intended to provide an overviewof the causes, or potential causes, of change tothe biodiversity of the Isles of Scilly and will helpstimulate debate during the production of any actionand implementation plans or programmes of work forboth priority habitats and species.4 Priorities for Biodiversity ConservationThe diversity of the Isles of Scilly’s habitats andspecies groups is an important contributing factorof the archipelago’s unique character. This shouldbe enhanced, or at least maintained, at the currentlevels, so that future generations can enjoy the widerenvironmental, social and economic benefits suchbiodiversity can attract.However, in order to best achieve the conservationand enhancement of the islands’ biodiversity and toensure the best use of resources, priority species andhabitats have to be nominated.Priority species and habitats were selected usingcriteria laid out at Section 4; this was largely based onthe revised 2007 UK BAP List and included nationallyimportant species, those threatened locally by declineor rarity or those for which the Isles of Scilly have asignificant percentage of the UK population.Priorities for biodiversity conservation include:· 293 Species· 18 HabitatsSome of these species and habitats are listed becausethere is a need for further research into their overallstatus, and their retention on the priority lists willdepend on any findings of that future research.5 Recommendations for ActionA number of key recommendations are provided,with further explanation at Section 5. They needto be addressed as a matter of priority and theirimplementation will go a significant way towardsthe promotion and furtherance of biodiversityconservation in the Isles of Scilly.Recommendation 1 – SurveyPromote and instigate survey work for those speciesand habitats on the Isles of Scilly priority lists inSection 4 which need further research to establish theirlocal conservation needs and status.Recommendation 2 – Monitor and ResearchSupport and instigate monitoring and research ofspecies and habitats on the Isles of Scilly priority list.Recommendation 3 – Manage IoSWT land holdingsImplement, maintain and monitor the work plansoutlined in the Management Plans for Isles of ScillyWildlife Trust holdings produced in conjunction withthis report.Recommendation 4 – Marine Protected AreaWork towards the inclusion of the Isles of Scilly ina South West or National Marine Protected Areanetwork.Recommendation 5 – Additional PlansConsider producing separate Action andImplementation Plans for those species and habitatsnot covered under recommendations 1 to 4.Recommendation 6 – Conservation Advisory GroupMaintain the Conservation Advisory Group for theIsles of Scilly as a focus for delivering biodiversityaction on Scilly.Spiny starfish Marthasterias glacialis amongst anemones. Photo: Malcolm NimmoIsles of Scilly biodiversity audit Page