​Populations of some of Jersey's rarest plants and animals survive in isolated pockets across the island, often in places which remain unprotected, and are therefore at threat from the growing anthropological impacts on habitats across the land surface.

The Department commissioned the Amphibian and Reptile Trust to determine priority areas for protected species and habitats, and connecting routes between them, in order to aid spatial planning and future protected area designation. The outcomes are based on cost / benefit analysis, providing best economic and conservation value.

Whilst individual species have previously been assessed on their conservation requirements in Jersey, this is the first time that multiple species (17) have been assessed in the same project.

This study expands on previous efforts by incorporating a wide range of species of varying taxa, ecological roles, traits and conservation status in order to inform an island-wide plan for maintaining, improving and designating wildlife areas. It highlights areas where improvements to connectivity are most beneficial, and how these may be tied in with other efforts in parallel for maximum return on investment.

In this report, spatial modelling approaches are used to carry out the following tasks:

• predict and map the distribution on 17 selected species
• identify the areas of highest habitat suitability for the 17 species, and evaluate how those areas are currently protected
• assess which factors, eg habitat type, influence the species' distributions
• separately assess species associated with urban environments so conservation priorities can be identified for both urban and non-urban environmnents
• map the most likely wildlife corridors
• identify landscape priorities for protection based on their value to wildlife connectivity and current protected status

This work supports the decision making processes within Growth, Housing and Environment, States of Jersey, with implications for wildlife conservation, planning and building.

Jersey multi-species distribution, habitat suitability and connectivity modelling executive summary

Jersey multi-species distribution, habitat suitability and connectivity modelling report

Appendix A: landcover definitions from previous reports

Appendix B: species ecology and conservation status review

Appendix C: supplementary methods

Appendix D: MaxEnt model performance and results

Appendix E: habitat concentration areas (HCAs)

Appendix F: least cost paths and corridors

Appendix G: prioritisation based on connectivity