Salcombe Ecology Network

If you started this topic with no knowledge here are ten things you will have learned and now understand:

• A Significant "Cluster": There are eleven sites located just east of Sidmouth that are "closely connected," with almost all of them sharing a physical border with at least one other site in the group.

• Predominantly Protected: Ten of the eleven sites are under the direct control and protection of conservation-minded organisations, most notably the National Trust, the Sid Vale Association, and Sidmouth Town Council.

• High Connectivity: The sites are not isolated; they form a cohesive "ecological network." For example, Page Wood shares borders with four other sites, acting as a central hub in the cluster.

• Diverse Habitats: The area is a "mosaic" of different environments, ranging from broadleaved woodlands and thick scrub to rare neutral and calcareous (chalk-based) grasslands.

• A "Nature Highway": The network serves as a critical "coastal anchor" for a massive 20-year project called Heaths to Sea, which aims to create a continuous wildlife corridor from the Pebblebed Heaths to the Jurassic Coast.

• Rare "Relict" Woodlands: Sites like Milltown Lane and Bluebell Wood contain "Ancient Woodland Indicators"—plant species that prove these areas have been wooded for centuries, acting as a refuge for specialised wildlife.

• Transition to Active Management: As of early 2026, the strategy for the area has moved from simply surveying the land to "active delivery," which includes physical changes to the landscape to boost biodiversity.

• Modern Farming Techniques: To improve the soil and flora, South Combe Farm is being moved away from traditional agriculture toward "regenerative farming," using low-density cattle grazing to create wildflower-rich pastures.

• The "Sandwich" Geology: The ground is made of a layer of Greensand over Mudstone. This "sandwich" structure makes the cliffs and hillsides unstable and prone to "sliding," which presents a constant challenge for maintaining paths and habitats.

• High-Tech Conservation: The network is using cutting-edge technology like "No Fence" GPS collars for cattle. This allows managers to direct grazing to specific overgrown areas without having to build physical fences that might block other wildlife or hikers.