| Sand Lizard |
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| LBAP Home | Habitats | Common themes |
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1Action for biodiversity |
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The sand lizard ranges across northern and central Europe into Asia as nine of ten sub-species. This species is declining and under threat throughout its Palearctic range and beyond. It is listed in Annex II of the Berne Convention (and subject to recommendation 26, 1991) and Annex IVa of the EC Habitats Directive and therefore subject under UK law to be protected, together with its habitats, under Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) regulations, 1994 (Regulation 38, and within Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981). In the UK, natural populations have become extinct over much of their former range, i.e. Cornwall, Devon, Wiltshire, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire and the whole of north and west Wales. Surviving colonies are mostly on fragmented heathland habitats in South East Dorset, often surrounded by coniferous forests and urban developments, with only a few surviving restricted populations remaining in their previous strongholds in heathlands of South West Surrey and Merseyside dunes. This species is listed in the UK Biodiversity Steering Group Report as a priority species for conservation action. This region is the last remaining stronghold for this species in the UK. The Dorset heathlands in the Poole Basin now support the South West only remaining natural populations and significantly hold over 90% of the UK population. The former range of this species is also though to have once included dune systems in Devon and Cornwall and the part of the New Forest in Wiltshire. Regional distribution in the South West1
Priority
Areas and natural areas in the South West1
Basic Management requirements1 Relevant ecology The sand lizard is a species associated with localised, isolated topographical features (termed foci) in mature dry heath on sandy heathlands and in dense Marram grass stands on coastal frontal sand dunes; a deep structure of ground vegetation is important. Populations can survive in deteriorated and secondary habitat though these areas often require active management. In all habitats areas of open, unshaded sand are essential for successful egg incubation. Sand lizards are diurnal; after emerging from their burrows the animals bask in the sun until warm enough to become active to hunt a variety of invertebrate prey, court, mate, etc before retiring around sunset. They retire into deep, dry sandy burrows and use the same refuges for their annual hibernation of six to seven months. Sand lizards hibernate during (September) October to March (April( mating occurs in May and eggs are laid in June in unshaded exposed sand, including sandy tracks, paths and fire-breaks. The juveniles emerge in late August and September. Males and females become sexually mature at 3 & 4 years respectively, and they can live for 8-10 years. Sand lizards are notoriously slow colonisers even in ideal conditions
and are generally incapable of crossing physical barriers, e.g. woods,
roads etc Although the following paragraphs are specific to foci management, the prescriptions for general heathland and dune management should be adhered to as specified in the South West Lowland Heathland and South West Sand Dune BAPs Scrub and tree management. Clearance and/or thinning on foci is phased to reduce habitat stress, e.g. drought. Maritime pine Pinus pinaster are removed, but in a few selected birch (including coppice) and standard Scots pine should always be left, the more so on southerly slopes to further reduce habitat stress. Old gorse stands, especially along paths, should be regularly coppiced to minimise fire-risk. Control rhododendron encroachment. Bracken Management Sensitive (i.e. non-vehicular) spraying in mid-June to late August of both dense areas of bracken and scattered fronds using Asulam Sand/Fire Management Provision of 2m wide sandy tracks and banks (mid-April to mid-May) predominantly around the foci serve as passive firebreaks egg incubation sites and, where relevant, as fire access routes. On average 5% of the foci should be bare sand. Heather Management Options include: (a) Scrub and bracken control only allow the development of an uneven aged mosaic (b) Mown or foraged strips to diversify and more rapidly achieve this mosaic (c) Both burning and grazing regimes should never be undertaken on foci habitat or continuous potential habitat. Public management Control of recreational pressure on egg incubation sites, i.e. the prevention of vehicles, mountain/motor bikes and horses from using sandy egg incubation tracks by fencing and wardening. Fencing and board walks should be used to reduce adverse public pressure on mature Marram stands with the replanting of degraded dune where necessary to re-establish Marram cover. Rabbit gassing and sett/earth blocking Under no condition should rabbit gassing be allowed as it kills resident reptiles, whilst sett or earth blocking may threaten their traditional hibernation and refuge sites. Gaultheria shallon control Sensitive control of this species on foci is essential as well as the successful management of this highly dominant and invasive species in its core localities, i.e. the Avon Valley. Research is currently being undertaken to establish successful control methods.
Current
Factors affecting the species1 Loss, deterioration and fragmentation of heathland to conifer afforestation,
mineral winning, agricultural reclamation, urban development etc, and
of dune systems to coastal development, sea defences etc.
Maintain all breeding populations at current levels and enhance where
possible. Reverse the fragmentation of sites by habitat re-creation and management. South West biodiversity objectives and proposed targets 1 OBJECTIVE 1 OBJECTIVE 2 TARGET: by 2010 OBJECTIVE 3 Re-establish at least five populations to restore its former range or to offset former irreversible losses. TARGET: by 2010 OBJECTIVE 4 Link populations within and between extant sites. TARGET: ongoing OBJECTIVE 5 Research existing status and population limiting factors. TARGET: ongoing National: A pilot Study for the Sand Lizard UK Recovery programme by HCT and English Nature 1994 has been published. The UK Sand Lizard Recovery Programme (1994-97) has to date included management of 100 foci undertaken eight re-introductions, conducted various ecological research, safeguard and promoted suitable management for all the UK extant sand lizard regions and sites, through a partnership funded CCW, EN, HCT and WWF. A National Action Plan will be produced for the sand lizard by CCW, EN, and HCT. A UK Biodiversity Species Action Plan has been produced. Seven County Heathland restoration management projects are in place and managing heathland. Development of regional sand lizard monitoring strategies and further captive breeding programmes for re-introductions are underway. SSSI designations/site protection of outstanding sand lizard populations. Development of further captive breeding programmes for re-introductions. HCT manages 40 sites in Dorset amounting to 675 ha, undertakes management
on another 28 sites amounting to 150 ha, is managing c60 other sand
lizard foci via the Recovery Programme and advises on all aspects of
the conservation of this species Three re-introductions have been undertaken via the Recovery Programme to both dune and heathland sites. Suitability assessments of dune systems have been carried out in the
South West for potential re-introductions. Various publicity is undertaken throughout the region concerning both
the species and its habitat.
Proposed Action 1 Policy and legislation
Ensure that relevant development plans have a species policy. (2005) LEAD: LAs PARTNERS: EN, HCT Management
Identify sites requiring conservation management on foci.
(ongoing) Encourage uptake of management schemes and incentive payments and ensure these include sand lizard conservation measures. (ongoing) LEAD: MAFF Ensure dune management policies are consistent with sand lizard needs on relevant sites. (ongoing) LEAD: LAs PARTNERS: EN, HCT Assess the status of potential translocation sites. (by 1998) LEAD: HCT Ensure that all sand lizard sites are drawn to the attention of
planning authorities and where appropriate identified in development
plans. (ongoing) Ensure that development schemes do not affect the integrity of
the species sites. (ongoing) Ensure captive breeding requirements are met. (ongoing) Re-introduce at least five populations within its former range. (by 2010) LEAD: HCT Promote the species for inclusion in inter-site linkage schemes.
(ongoing) Advisory Advise relevant parties of the presence, legal status and management requirements of the species. (ongoing) LEAD: EN, HCT, RCS Research and monitoring
Monitor population levels every five years. (ongoing)
LEAD: HCT Develop database and ensure availability of data to appropriate
partners Education and awareness raising
Promote the appreciation and conservation of the species and its importance nationally and in the region (ongoing) LEAD: HCT, BHS PARTNERS: EN, WTs
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