Nearly 40 rare species have been recorded in the New Forest during a project to restore areas for nature.
The species were identified during surveys undertaken by Wild New Forest last year as part of the Species Survival Fund, which is restoring and creating habitats to halt species decline.
The surveys were completed at 10 sites, mostly around the northern and southern fringes of the New Forest National Park.
‘In total, about 860 species were recorded during the surveys, including 370 animals, 265 plants, and 225 fungi,’ explained Prof Russell Wynn, Director of Wild New Forest.
‘This might sound like a lot of species, but it only represents about five per cent of the total number of animal, plant, and fungi species estimated to occur in the New Forest, which is recognised as an international biodiversity hotspot. Encouragingly, there were 150 records of 36 priority species that are classified as nationally rare or scarce. Many of these are relatively familiar and widespread here in the New Forest, such as goshawk, raft spider, and wood cricket. But there were some surprising discoveries, including a new species of fungus for Hampshire, a new pine marten hotspot revealed using trail cameras, and a pond full of Hampshire purslane – a nationally rare aquatic plant that is almost wholly restricted to the New Forest.’
The £1.3m project is hosted by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA), alongside partners Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT), Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT), New Forest Commoners Defence Association (CDA), and Wild New Forest.
Posted On: 04/02/2025
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