News from the South Downs
National Park Update
For the latest information about the designated South Downs National Park please go to our homepage.
Press release archive
Sussex’s English Elms need your help
With the warm summer weather, the South Downs Joint Committee (SDJC) is reminding landowners and residents to be on the look out for the first signs of Dutch Elm Disease. Elm Disease is caused by a fungus and is one of the most virulent tree diseases known.
Full Story2010 - The Year of Biodiversity
The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. To commemorate this landmark year, each month we will be publishing an article on a habitat or species closely associated with the South Downs which illustrates the diversity of wildlife that can be found in this unique landscape.
September - Dewponds on the Downs
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Restored dewpond
The chalk hills of the South Downs drain so readily that there is little surface water to be found in the area. As a consequence hundreds of artificial ponds were constructed over the centuries, collecting water for use by the livestock grazing the area. Although known as ‘dew’ (or sometimes ‘mist’) ponds, very little of the water in them comes from these sources – they are filled with rain.
As the only source of water on the Downs, these ponds became important wildlife havens; newts and frogs, as well as dragonflies, damselflies and many other insects, live in these ponds for at least part of their lives and other animals including birds and grass snakes are also attracted to them. During the twentieth century, the increasing use of piped water on the Downs meant that many ponds fell into disuse and dried up.
SDJC and other organisations have been responsible for the restoration of many dew ponds during recent years, often with the help of volunteers. Volunteers also undertake regular clearance work on ponds – best done in late September and October - and carry out wildlife surveys. At a few of the most frequently visited ponds information panels have been installed, explaining something of the ponds’ history and the wildlife associated with them.
For more information on the UK partnership supporting the International Year of Biodiversity: www.biodiversityislife.net
Previous month's articles
January - Wetlands and Wetland birds (Adobe Acrobat)
February - South Downs Farmland Bird Initiative (Adobe Acrobat)
March - The Brown Hare (Adobe Acrobat)
April - The English Elm (Adobe Acrobat)
May - The Field Cricket (Adobe Acrobat)
June - Chalk grassland (Adobe Acrobat)
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Rangers View Podcast
Every month South Downs Joint Committee Ranger, Bruce Middleton gives us an expert's view on on the ever changing landscape of the Downs. As the seasons come and go the Downs undergo dramatic changes. Keep track of the flora and fauna, agriculture and wildlife throughout the seasons. You can also read the Bruce's summary of the month here
