People, Paths & Pollinators

Pollinators are a fundamental component of our biodiversity. Insects are hugely important as native wild pollinators and are responsible for 90% of crop pollination. Not only do they pollinate food crops but they are also vital for the survival of plants which support much of our wildlife.

In Wales, 1500 species of insect are pollinators. However, there has been growing concern regarding the population of our pollinators. Over the last 80 years, around 97% of hay meadow and species-rich grasslands have been lost in Britain. This has had a huge knock-on effect on insect populations. Half of our 27 bumblebees are in decline; three of these bumblebees have already become extinct. Two thirds of our moths are in long term decline and 71% of butterflies are declining.

People, Paths and Pollinators Project is a three year pilot project, running from August 2019 – August 2022, which aims to enhance the biodiversity alongside the Pembrokeshire coast path.

The project has 5 main aims:

• To maintain and enhance biodiversity along the coast path
• To provide a means of implementing practical management within the 'Pembrokeshire Coast Important Invertebrate Area'
• To support and enhance coastal grazing projects
• To maintain connectivity between grazed sections of the coast path
• To provide training for staff and volunteers

Initially focussing on the Newgale – Abereiddy stretch, this pilot area falls within the ‘Pembrokeshire Coast Important Invertebrate Area’. We are working together with landowners, National Trust, and volunteers to identify and implement a range of practical management activities.

This year has been a strange year for the coast path. With lockdown happening from end of March - early July, the coast path cutting regime started a few weeks later than normal and the numbers of visitors on the path dropped by 94%. The expected extra grass growth from lack of people and a late start didn't happen along most of the path, most likely due to the very warm dry weather. Anecdotally, people seem to be in agreement that more pollinators have been seen this summer compared to the last few summers. Whether this is due to the weather over the last year or the lack of people around until later in the year, can probably never be proved, but it would be good to see the same numbers again next year.

Due to Covid-19, the project had to be paused for 5 months, preventing volunteers from being able to complete planned tasks. The wardens were still been able to carry out some pollinator jobs, along with the normal summer coast path cut.

Included in this report are:

• Key accomplishments in 2020
• Recommendations for coast path realignment
• Coast path margins
• Brushcutter vs Flail management
• Onwards to 2021

Surveying the coast path has highlighted several different opportunities to improve both habitat & biodiversity and user experience, these are highlighted below...

• The coast path survey will continue North and then move down to the South. It will be interesting to see how the sections compare once the survey is complete
• Work carried out this year will be monitored to show what impact it is having on pollinators along the coast path
• Adjustments will be made to how the coast path is cut with the flail
• Results/ best practise ideas will be shared with all the warden teams

The wardens cut the equivalent of Pembroke to London each year and are constantly improving techniques and practices to support both biodiversity and visitor enjoyment.