The lowland heaths typical of the Sandlings have a very restricted global distribution, being found only in the UK, Eire and along the Western edge of Europe. The loss of Sandlings heathland over the last century makes it imperative that we act now to safeguard them.

Available records suggest that in the early 1900's there were some 10,000 ha (25,000 acres.) of heathland in the Sandlings, largely being actively maintained. Earlier records suggest that in the early 1800's there was even more heathland, possibly some 16,000 ha (40,000 acres).

The pattern of loss was accelerated in the 20th century with arable farming, forestry, building development, formal recreation and military airbases accounting for 80% of the Sandlings heaths lost between the 1920's and 1980's.

A survey done between 1983 and 1985 showed that only 2,000 ha (5,000 acres) were left, and much of this was suffering from serious neglect.

This is illustrated by the pie chart.

This pattern of loss over the 20th century has been repeated across the UK and has been even worse in much of Europe.

Today the UK has more than 20 % of the world resource of lowland heath, and the Sandlings represent 4% of the UK total - almost 1% of the world resource.

Many species of flora and fauna are restricted largely or completely to heathland habitats. This drastic loss of habitat over less than a century has put these species under threat.

Safeguarding the heaths

The importance of lowland heathland has now been recognised - it is now a key habitat in the UK and Suffolk Biodiversity Action Plans and a key landscape feature in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Strategy.

Many of the sites are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), with some having extra protection from the European Union as Special Protection Areas (SPA) for rare and threatened birds and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) for the wider habitat. Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Suffolk County Council have conferred County Wildlife Site (CWS) status on those sites outside these designations, to protect them from adverse development.