Heathland research project to help save the sand lizard

A pioneering project to research the lifestyle and habitat of the endangered sand lizard is getting underway on Dorset heathland, thanks to a grant from the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.

The Herpetological Conservation Trust (HCT) has enlisted the help of the University of Southampton in this four-year programme. Its £144,000 funding has come from the SITA Environmental Trust. Additional money came from the People's Trust for Endangered Species and an anonymous donor.

Numbers of sand lizards have plummeted over the last century, mainly because of the loss of heathland in southern England to urbanisation, agriculture and afforestation. However, the sand lizard is a secretive creature and difficult to survey.

"We know that sand lizards have suffered severe historical declines, but it's difficult to know how well they're doing now," explained Dr Chris Gleed-Owen, HCT Research and Monitoring Officer. "We need to be able to monitor the conservation status of these animals and the habitat they live in, to protect their populations and hopefully reverse some losses. The new grant will fund essential research into the ecology of sand lizards and allow us to develop appropriate monitoring techniques."

The research will be carried out by University PhD student Helen Fearnley. She commented: "I'm delighted that after several years of perseverance and many, many hours of field work, funding has finally been secured for this project.

"This research is desperately needed to ensure sand lizard populations in the UK are conserved and enhanced using the most appropriate management techniques. I'm looking forward to spending many more hours 'lizarding' in the field in the knowledge that the data I'm collecting will benefit these fascinating creatures."

As part of the research, Helen plans to radio-track the lizards by harnessing them with tiny transmitters, to find out where and how far they move in their daily activities. The project also involves heathland recreation, and the research will examine how sand lizards colonise new areas of suitable habitat.

Dr Malcolm Hudson from the University's Centre for Environmental Sciences added: "The University of Southampton has a long history of ecological research and has made a real difference in the past to conserving endangered species. This project gives us a real opportunity to help creatures whose traditional stronghold in the south of England has been badly damaged or destroyed by human activity."

Every year the SITA Environmental Trust distributes £6million to community and environmental projects across the UK. All funding comes from the waste management firm SITA UK, through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, introduced in 1996 to enable landfill operators to voluntarily redirect to good causes a proportion of the tax they pay to Government.

John Leaver, Chairman of SITA Environmental Trust said: "This is an exciting opportunity to invest funds into biodiversity, which is a new area of funding for the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. This research will be vital for securing the future of the sand lizard in the UK."