Dorset heaths to benefit from targeted air quality actions
Volunteers help pinpoint pollution hotspots across key landscapes
A significant air quality monitoring initiative is underway in Dorset to protect some of the UK's most precious heathland habitats from pollution.
Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council worked alongside volunteers to determine areas where traffic emissions are most actively impacting these protected landscapes.
The study gathered data through air sampling conducted by 15 trained volunteers between August 2025 and January 2026, across 14 heathland locations.
The monitoring focused on nitrogen dioxide and ammonia levels, pollutants commonly associated with vehicle emissions and agricultural activities.
The results revealed that ammonia consistently exceeded levels known to harm lichens and mosses, while nitrogen dioxide retained adherence to national standards despite impacting the local heaths through road traffic pollution.
High traffic areas like the A338, A35, and Alderney/Wallisdown roads showed significant pollution concentrations, prompting targeted mitigation efforts.
Councillor Nick Ireland, Dorset Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate, said: “With the valued help of conservation volunteers and strong support from our team and heathland partners, we’ve gained a much clearer understanding of how air pollution is affecting Dorset’s heaths. This insight allows us to take practical, targeted action to protect these special landscapes for wildlife and future generations."
Councillor Andy Hadley, BCP Council Cabinet Member for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, said: “Moving away from fossil fuel vehicles is key to improving air quality for both people and wildlife. This work highlights the impact of traffic on our fragile heathlands, particularly around the conurbation and busy arterial routes."
Effective mitigations include reducing invasive vegetation, removing nutrient-enriched topsoil, and conducting vegetation surveys to track habitat conditions.
Focused restoration projects are set to start with Avon Heath, Upton Heath, and Matchams View being the initial locations of action.
All collected data will assist in future development impact assessments to ensure minimal pollution from new projects.