 | The Brecks is an outstanding area for wildlife, but has experienced extraordinary change and loss of wildlife species and habitats in the last 50 years.
To find out more about Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species in The Brecks click here.
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| | | | Rare Wildlife
Despite these changes, the varied habitats of the area continue to provide a refuge for many threatened species.
Heathland and grassland. The Brecks is famous for its dry heaths with its distinctive plants and animals, many found nowhere else in Britain.
Wetlands. In this dry landscape, any wetland is important. The Brecks has many internationally and nationally significant wetlands including fluctuating meres , pingos, and valley fens. Chalk rivers and valley habitats as well as lakes – mostly gravel pits or ornamental lakes – are also an important wildlife resource.
Forest. Thetford Forest covers nearly 20% of the Brecks. The greatest wildlife value of the Forest lies in the open spaces it protects or creates.
Farmland. Arable farmland covers about 60% of the Brecks. Tracks, waysides, disturbed ground and unsprayed arable field margins are rich habitats for wildlife.
43% of the Brecks is protected at a national or international level for its wildlife or geological interest.
Protected areas include:
54 Sites of Special Scientific Interest
4 National Nature Reserves (Thetford Heath, Brettenham Heath, Cavenham Heath and Weeting Heath
Breckland Potential Special Protection Area – designation under the EC Birds Directive. Breckland pSPA qualifies on the basis of 3 species – the stone curlew, nightjar and woodlark.
Breckland candidate Special Area of Conservation - recommended due to habitat types and/or species that are rare or threatened within a European context.
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| | | | | Birds, Bats and Bugs
The Brecks is important on a national and European scale for three of its breeding birds – the stone curlew, nightjar and woodlark.
10 bat species breed in the Brecks, making special use of the river valley habitats as feeding grounds.
25 species of invertebrates found in the Brecks are currently listed as being in danger of extinction in Britain.
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| | | | | Plant species
Many plant species grow here which are rare or absent from other parts of Britain including tower mustard, fingered speedwell, Breckland thyme and military orchid. At West Stow Country Park you can see some of these plants specially grown near the visitor centre.
Conservation of the biological diversity of the Brecks is promoted through the work of numerous organisations active in the area, including the Brecks Countryside Project. ‘Biodiversity action plans’ form the focus of this work.
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| | | Bidoversity Action Plans
Species and habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate, both globally and in the UK. Conserving the diversity of life around us is a major issue for the 21st century.
The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 called for the creation and enforcement of national strategies and biodiversity action plans to conserve, protect and enhance biological diversity.
‘Working with the grain of nature: a biodiversity strategy for England’ was launched on 24 October 2002.
The Strategy seeks to ensure biodiversity considerations become embedded in all sectors of public policy and sets out a programme to conserve, enhance and work with the grain of nature and ecosystems rather than against them.
The Strategy is a Government strategy prepared with the active partnership of a broad range of public, voluntary and private sector organisations. It follows on from the production of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan in 1995.
In order for the national priorities and targets to be met it is essential that action is taken locally. Biodiversity Partnerships in Suffolk and Norfolk are working to promote and co-ordinate action at a local level.
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| | | Further reading
Clarke, W.G. (1937) In Breckland Wilds. (2nd ed.) Heffer, Cambridge.
Jessup, G. (1992) Breckland Ramblings. Reeve, Wymondham.
Lambley, P. (ed.) (1994) Ecological Change in Breckland. Natural England, Norwich.
The Lark Valley Association (1999) The Lark Valley. Glimpses of an area of west Suffolk – past and present. Lark Valley Association, Bury St Edmunds.
Rothera, S. (ed.) (1998) Breckland Natural Area Profile. Natural England, Norwich.
Trist, P.J.O. (1979) An Ecological Flora of Breckland. EP Publishing, Wakefield.
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