A significant three-year conservation project is scheduled to commence later this year in Cumbria, targeting the recovery of two of Britain's rarest species: the northern dune tiger beetle and the natterjack toad. The initiative, announced recently by the government as part of broader funding for threatened species, will focus on surveying and restoring the county's vulnerable sand dune ecosystems, which are crucial habitats for both creatures.
Jack Harper, an official from Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), highlighted Cumbria's importance as one of the last strongholds for the natterjack toad in Britain. Known for its distinctive, loud mating call, the species faces severe threats, with only a few thousand individuals estimated to remain across the entire UK. The project will address both the beetles and toads concurrently due to their shared reliance on sand dune environments.
The northern dune tiger beetle, an exceptionally fast-moving insect capable of speeds up to 2.5 metres per second, is even more critically endangered. According to Harper, the beetle is currently known to inhabit only two locations in the UK: the Sefton sand dunes between Southport and Liverpool, and Drigg in Cumbria. The project team plans to conduct extensive surveys to assess existing beetle populations and identify other suitable habitats within Cumbria.
A key aspect of the beetle conservation effort will involve determining the feasibility of relocating some individuals from Merseyside to new sites in Cumbria, with the aim of establishing new, viable populations. Harper acknowledged that this remains a complex challenge, stating, "The answer to that may be no." Meanwhile, efforts to aid the natterjack toad will concentrate on reversing the degradation of Cumbria's sand dunes. This could involve innovative techniques such as artificially creating corridors within the dunes to channel wind, thereby facilitating natural sand movement and habitat rejuvenation.
The scheme is a collaborative effort, involving ARC alongside partners such as Nuclear Waste Services and Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Their work will address the historical degradation of sand dune habitats, a widespread issue across the UK exacerbated by factors including climate change and increasing coastal development. By understanding and actively managing these fragile ecosystems, conservationists hope to secure a future for these unique and threatened species.