New State of Nature report highlights grassland like L'Ancresse Common

State of Nature 2024 has identified seven main pressures on the island's natural environment, which have likely contributed to declines in species and habitats. Although it says more information is needed about how these have affected habitats and species, it is important that islanders reduce these pressures because they will cumulatively impact the environment.

"Conservation measures cannot be effective if there is no change in the pressures causing declines and losses," it says. The report has been produced by the Guernsey Nature Commission, a new charity which collaborates with the States of Guernsey, the third sector, business and the community, creating a nature network and facilitating what it calls a shared "voice for nature".

Copies of its report, and a summary, can be found here and the Vale is of particular relevance given L'Ancresse Common and the significance of grassland on the island's environment. 

"There are four types of grassland in Guernsey and Herm – dune, coastal, dry and marshy. Dry and marshy grasslands are further classified by the degree of agricultural improvement they have received, for example the application of artificial fertilisers and pesticides or history of ploughing or reseeding," the report says.

It doesn't specifically mention the Common but notes that all these areas are under pressure and that sour fig, which is found there, is also a problem, having increased in area by 123% since 2010.

The report also has a section on how parishioners can help, particularly through providing data and information via "citizen science" and through volunteering.