Indicators of Sustainable Development

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Indicator: Extent and management of SSSIs S6
Number and area of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs * ): 1984 to 2003  
Indicator Chart
Note: * In Northern Ireland SSSIs are known as ASSIs
Extent
Change since
dots 1970
tick 1990
tick 1999

Coverage: United Kingdom

Source: English Nature, CCW, SNH, DOE(NI), JNCC

 Condition of SSSIs by area: March 2003  
Indicator Chart
Management
Change since
dots 1970
dots 1990
dots 1997-8

Coverage: England

Source: English Nature

Objective (revised): To increase the proportion of SSSI designated land in favourable condition.
  • Since 1999, the number of SSSIs in the UK has increased by 2 per cent, from 6,625 to 6,782 in 2003.
  • The total area of land designated as SSSIs has risen from 2,263 thousand hectares in 1999 to 2,427 thousand hectares in 2003, an increase of 7 per cent.
  • Based on information available as at March 2003, just over half of English SSSIs were assessed as being in a “favourable/recovering” condition. However, there is insufficient information to make an assessment of overall progress.

Page last modified: 21 April 2004  |  Page published: 21 April 2004