Somerset Wildlife Trust is pleased to be able to launch the Somerset State of Nature Report 2023. The first of its kind for Somerset, and leading on from the national State of Nature Report released this year, the Somerset State of Nature Report 2023, is a comprehensive overview of the county’s landscapes and highlights, where data allows, trends in the abundance and distribution of species and quality of habitats, identifying the key pressures that wildlife is facing.

The report provides an important benchmark of how nature and wildlife is faring across the county, identifying both positive and negative trends, contextualising how global and national declines in biodiversity are also being felt in Somerset.

The report also features positive case studies which demonstrate key successes, and outlines planned approaches to restore Somerset’s natural environments in the face of known and emerging challenges, and to help meet the county’s 2030 environmental targets.

Key report findings include:

• Habitats in Somerset have seen dramatic decreases in species richness since 1990, with terrestrial insects deteriorating most significantly.
• Somerset has lost 5.14% of its total grassland habitats, with the Mendip Hills suffering the most drastic decline at 11.5%.
• Butterfly distribution has declined by 874㎢ over 30 years; fritillary butterflies have suffered most drastically, with a 60% decline in distribution from 1990 to 2021.
• Notable species declines include Lapwing. Lapwing records from 1994 to 2023 have declined to worrying levels, suggesting that over time, the availability of suitable breeding habitat for this distinctive bird has reduced in Somerset.
• Between 2009 and 2019, the number of ‘Good’ quality rivers in Somerset have decreased from 38 to 21.
• Non-native invasive species cover has increased by 260%, from 354㎢ to 923 ㎢between1990-2021, with 37 species recorded.
• Only 36% of the 128 Sites of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI) in Somerset were assessed as favourable.
• Somerset’s 73km coastline, and the species that call it home, were found to be under threat as a result of climate change, rising sea levels and other contributing factors outlined within the report.

Following national trends, it’s clear that Somerset’s ecosystems have been impacted by climate change, changes in land management, development and pollution; and invasive species and diseases are further threatening habitats.

Despite a number of unfavourable findings, the report however also captured some positive trends and highlighted case studies demonstrating real success:

• Some mammal species are thriving; the return of beavers in Somerset has seen positive feedback - the county’s first kits were born this year.
• Wading bird populations, such as great white egret and bittern have seen increases as a result of recent projects, particularly on the Avalon Marches.
• Marsh harrier and beard reedling are also benefitting from collaborative efforts by partners to enhance reedbed habitats.
• Other species doing well in Somerset include four-spotted chasers, orange-tip butterfly, buzzards, bittern, great spotted woodpeckers and goldfinches.

There are also positives in terms of potential for expanding of the Nature Recovery Network:

• Somerset has the second largest number of Local Wildlife Sites (LWS)
• Priority habitats across Somerset, identified as being the most threatened and which require conservation action, are increasing.
• In 2022 The Somerset Wetlands ‘super’ National Nature Reserve (NNR) brought together nature reserves and land within the wider Somerset Levels and Moors bringing an additional 56% more land to the area occupied by the original NNR sites. 
• A similar ‘super’ NNR was declared this year in the Mendip Hills, meaning Somerset is the only county to have two of these very special sites.

Simon Clarke, Head of Nature Recovery says: 

“In many ways the Somerset State of Nature tells us what we already know; that the pressure on our natural environment locally matches many of the national trends as outlined by the national report earlier this year; the quality and connectedness of the very distinct and special habitats we have here in Somerset are both at risk of further decline and the ecosystem functions that provide us clean air and water are waning, and with them, populations of precious wildlife both rare and common.

However, if you reach beyond despondency, what you can see and grasp are real seeds of real hope. Because what the report also highlights very clearly, is that where there has been focussed effort on a landscape-scale, underpinned by a truly meaningful and committed partnership approach to nature restoration, the results can be simply outstanding.

Within our county, these seeds of hope, these cases studies of success must act as lodestars for all that we do going forwards.  What is vital now is that we are able to align quickly and work in partnership with all other nature stakeholders across the county and, with the support of a strong Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), identify where we must place our collected efforts. The state of Somerset’s nature is for us all to own, and this new report is a place provides a baseline from where we can start to deliver for nature in the county.”

Ellen Phillpott, Records Centre Support Officer, Somerset Environmental Record Centre (SERC) explains more:

“With limited resources and a lack of adequate government funding, it’s ever more critical that we make smart decisions as to where best to direct our collective efforts to restore nature across the county - and these efforts must be based on strong science and evidence. Whilst the Somerset State of Nature Report is based on the best data and information available from the huge range of amazing recorders across the county, it’s hasn’t come as a surprise that there are huge gaps in what we know. Monitoring has been inconsistent and it is very hard to draw reliable trend analysis from the species data we have, and this is something we must address going forwards if we are to be successful in achieving our 2030 goals.

This is the first Somerset State of Nature Report - a pilot if you like of the greater vision we have for this area of work.  We hope that in consequent editions we will be able to involve and collaborate with many more organisations in its creation, encouraging those that hold data in whatever form to collaborate more closely with us as well as incorporate new technologies to enhance our analysis so we can paint the real picture of what’s happening in Somerset. Growing a wider citizen science community across the county is vital. We need more eyes and ears on the ground, whether that’s individuals, specialist groups or communities - it’s something everyone can do to make a contribution to nature’s recovery.”

Kirby Everett, Head of Marketing Communications concludes:

“The message here for the people of Somerset must be one of hope.  There are some incredible people and communities doing some pretty amazing things to help restore nature and help preserve the wonderful wildlife and habitats we love so much  across our wonderful county.  But in order to meets our 2030 targets and help nature fight back, we must amplify this effort ten fold, and get the wider public to put nature’s recovery on their essential ‘to do’ list.  Making a contribution to the next Somerset State of Nature Report is something that each and every person can contribute to. Helping us fill the gaps in our knowledge by telling us what you see is so simple, yet so vital to direct the work that we do. Unleash your inner citizen scientist or find a way to take positive action for wildlife in any way you can - doing something, is better than doing nothing.”

To download a full copy of the Somerset State of Nature 2023 report, visit State of Nature | Somerset Wildlife Trust