A State of the Environment report for Devon has shown that the total area of woodland in the county has increased by almost 20 per cent since 2002.
The report, produced by Devon County Council on behalf of Natural Devon, shows the woodland area has an increased by 12,379 hectares in those 12 years.
It also shows that:
The spotted flycatcher bird is bucking the national trend and showing large increases, and Devon remains a stronghold for dormice;
Between 2008/09 and 2012/13, waste collected by local authorities in Devon reduced by 13.8%
Devon has the highest installed renewable electricity and heat capacity of any local authority area in the South West.
83% of estuaries and 56% of coastal waters in the south west do not meet good status;
Whilst national figures show carbon emissions arising from Devon and Torbay have reduced by about 20% since 2005, our contribution to global emissions due to the goods and services we buy from overseas is increasing at a faster rate; total emissions are now 10% higher than they were in 1993;
There has been a gradual increase in the area of Devon disturbed by noise and visual intrusion, rising from 9% in the 1960s to 31% in 2007, and this is likely to continue as population and development pressures increase.
The report can be viewed online at www.naturaldevon.org.uk/state-of-environment
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