Application Sites supporting four or more species of amphibians or reptiles that are known to be regularly breeding (amphibians) or possible breeding (reptiles). Rationale Records of reptiles are rare in , and breeding records even more unusual. The presence of a reptile species at a site over a number of years can be used to indicate possible breeding. Amphibians are easier to record as they return to breeding ponds and should be recorded for a least 3 of the last 10 years. Guideline AR2 Any site supporting a good population of Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) Application This is taken from Table 21 below and is >= 11 adults or juveniles counted at night. Rationale The Great Crested Newt is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations. The protection reflects the fact that this species is vulnerable at a European level. Consequently good populations of this species should be protected Guideline AR3 Any site supporting an exceptional/large population of any amphibian. Application An exceptional/large population will be determined by reference to Table 21. Rationale All species of amphibian in the have declined in the last 50 years, largely as a result of habitat loss. Exceptional populations therefore should be protected. Guideline AR4 Any site which scores 5 or more for its breeding amphibian species assemblage. Application To determine the amphibian assemblage score reference should be made to Table 21 which has been taken from JNCC . The scores have to be for breeding sites during the breeding season following the guidelines set out in English Nature (). Night time survey techniques should be used wherever possible. Rationale Six species of native amphibian are recorded from the . All of which have declined over the last 50 years, as a result, primarily of habitat loss. As well as number of species, the number of individual amphibians is also important in assessing the value of a site for amphibian species.
Application Sites supporting four or more species of amphibians or reptiles that are known to be regularly breeding (amphibians) or possible breeding (reptiles). Rationale Records of reptiles are rare in , and breeding records even more unusual. The presence of a reptile species at a site over a number of years can be used to indicate possible breeding. Amphibians are easier to record as they return to breeding ponds and should be recorded for a least 3 of the last 10 years. Guideline AR2 Any site supporting a good population of Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) Application This is taken from Table 21 below and is >= 11 adults or juveniles counted at night. Rationale The Great Crested Newt is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations. The protection reflects the fact that this species is vulnerable at a European level. Consequently good populations of this species should be protected Guideline AR3 Any site supporting an exceptional/large population of any amphibian. Application An exceptional/large population will be determined by reference to Table 21. Rationale All species of amphibian in the have declined in the last 50 years, largely as a result of habitat loss. Exceptional populations therefore should be protected. Guideline AR4 Any site which scores 5 or more for its breeding amphibian species assemblage. Application To determine the amphibian assemblage score reference should be made to Table 21 which has been taken from JNCC . The scores have to be for breeding sites during the breeding season following the guidelines set out in English Nature (). Night time survey techniques should be used wherever possible. Rationale Six species of native amphibian are recorded from the . All of which have declined over the last 50 years, as a result, primarily of habitat loss. As well as number of species, the number of individual amphibians is also important in assessing the value of a site for amphibian species.