Contents of the Biodiversity Layers

Habitats of Principal Importance

The layer Priority Habitats identifies areas within 1 km of the canal route that support 'Habitats of Principal Importance (HPI for the purpose of conserving biodiversity.

In this case, HPI have been defined as habitats listed in accordance with the requirements of Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act. Section 41 (S41) of the NERC Act requires the Secretary of State to publish a list of habitats (and species) which are of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England. The list of Species and Habitats of Principal Importance (SPls and HPIS) has been drawn up in consultation with Natural England, as required by the NERC Act. This list is sometimes referred to as the England Biodiversity list or S41 List. The S41 List is used to guide decision-makers such as public bodies, including local and regional authorities, in implementing their duty under Section 40 of the NERC Act; that is, to have regard to priority species and habitats in exercising their functions including development control and planning.

Statutory Designated Areas

The layer Sites of Special Scientific Interest is one of the statutory designated areas within 5 km of the canal route that are afforded protection on account of their importance for nature conservation.

The types of statutory designated areas which occur within 5 km of the canal route comprise:

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC): SACS are designated on account of the presence of Annex I habitats and/ or Annex II species (those considered to be in greatest need of conservation across Europe), and are afforded protection under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2010).

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): SSSI are designated on account of their flora, fauna, geological or physiographic features, They are afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended)

National Nature Reserves (NNR) NNR are designated on account of the presence of important habitats, species or geology. They are afforded protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended).

Local Nature Reserves (LNR): LNR are of importance for wildlife, geology, education or public enjoyment. They are afforded statutory protection by principal local authorities under Section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949, amended by Schedule 11 of the Natural Environment and Rural 2006.

European Protected Species

The layers EuropeanBats_NonRoost, EuropeanBats_Roost, EuropeanBats_NonDefined and EuropeanSpecies_OttersNewts identify species within 1 km of the canal route that are listed in Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (Council Directive 92/43/EEC).

Within England and Wales, these species are afforded strict protection though The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2010 (as amended), and the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended).

Nationally Protected Species

The layer Nationally Protected Species identifies species within 1 km of the canal route that are protected by national legislation. This comprises species listed under Schedules 1,5, and 8 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended) or in other legislation such as the Protection of Badgers Act, 1992.

It should be noted that although all nesting birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended) (making it an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird or take, damage or destroy its nest whilst in use or being built, or take or destroy its eggs), only those listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended) are shown.

Bird species listed on Schedule 1 receive additional protection from disturbance at or near an occupied nest site. It also makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb dependent young of this species.

Species of Principal Importance

The layer Species of Principal Importance identifies species within 1 km of the canal route that are identified as 'Species of Principal Importance

(SPI) for the purpose of conserving biodiversity

In this case, SPI have been defined as species listed in accordance with the requirements of Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act. Section 41 (S41) of the NERC Act requires the Secretary of State to publish a list of species (and habitats) which are of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England. The list of SPI and HPI has been drawn up in consultation with Natural England, as required by the NERC Act. This list is sometimes referred to as the England Biodiversity list or S41 List. The S41 List is used to guide decision-makers such as public bodies, including local and regional authorities, in implementing their duty under Section 40 of the NERC Act; that is, to have regard to priority species and habitats in exercising their functions including development control and planning.

Notable Species

The layer Notable Species identifies species within 1 km of the canal route that are notable, but not otherwise protected or identified to be SPI. In this case such species include those listed as follows:

Global and GB Red List Species: these are globally or locally threatened species;

Nationally Notable Species: these are uncommon invertebrate species not otherwise contained on a Red List:

Nationally Rare or Scarce Species: these are species determined to be uncommon based on number of occurrences within a set area. This designation is only applicable in a few locations in Britain;

Birds of Conservation Concerns these are species of birds that have suffered population decline:

Red List Fungi: these are species of threatened fungi; and

Wiltshire County Notable: these are species that are considered notable within Wiltshire

Invasive Species

The layer Invasive Species identifies invasive non-native species within 1 km of the canal route. These include species listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended) or otherwise identified by the Environment Agency as being detrimental to the conservation of biodiversity.

Species listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as amended) are those to which Section 14 of the Act applies. This prohibits the release of any non-native animal species, and the establishment of any non-native plants.

Other invasive non-native species shown on the Story Map include those for which targeted action is required to prevent the species affecting the Environment Agency's interests.