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Geological conservation review (GCR) sites

Designation of geological and geomorphological features in Sites of Special Scientific Interest  (SSSIs) is underpinned by the Geological Conservation Review (GCR).  The GCR, undertaken by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), selected the very best and most representative geological and geomorphological features of Britain.  These are features of national and international importance that are considered to qualify for designation in SSSIs.  The geological features selected by the GCR range from rocks, minerals and fossils, to landform features formed during the Ice Age, modern rivers and coasts.  More information on the GCR including detailed information on individual GCR sites can be found on the JNCC website external site . 

The majority of 'GCR sites' now have statutory protection through designation as geological features in SSSIs; though some remain as yet unnotified.  SSSIs containing geological/geomphological or geo features may be designated either solely for their geo interest ('geo SSSIs'), or have an additionally biological interest ('mixed SSSIs'). 

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is responsible for the conservation and enhancement of the SSSI network in Scotland, and as such provides advice relating to the conservation and enhancement of GCR sites. 

There are currently around 180 unnotified GCR sites, mostly outside existing SSSIs.  National Park Authorities and some Local Authorities treat these as candidate SSSIs and afford them the same protection.  Some unnotified GCR sites are also Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS), and as such they are afforded levels of protection appropriate to locally important sites (though they are, themselves, considered to be of national or international importance). 

The remaining unnotified GCR sites have no statutory protection. 

The GCR site series and SSSI designations cover geology and geomorphology but do not specifically cover soils.  However, the quality and nature of soils within GCR sites and SSSIs are often integral aspects of the features (both geological and biological) for which the sites were selected (e.g. peat soil in pollen sites, or in sites designated for bog habitats).  Thus soil conservation is an intrinsically important part of the SSSI conservation system.