Reptile 'hot-spots':

Management should consider 'reptile hot-spots', key features that provide ideal conditions, such as south facing banks.  Provided that these areas do not become isolated in large expanses of unsuitable habitat, the management of these hot spots (sometimes called 'foci')can be the most cost effective and reliable way of ensuring continued existence of reptiles on a site.

Naturally over time different areas will become suitable as others become unsuitable. 

Managing such dynamic successional habitats over time can ensure long term survival of populations. However, you need to ensure sufficient connectivity within the site and sufficient time for newly created areas to develop as optimal habitat.

Trees both on and adjacent to reptile areas can cause shading; ground plants such as bracken and bramble may need to be managed (often involving pesticides though mechanical management is possible) to prevent heavy shading at ground level and loss of the ground vegetation important for providing the varied habitat structure.

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