A regional publisher’s investigation has exclusively revealed a “nature emergency” at the UK’s protected conservation areas.

Half of official inspections at protected Sites of Special Scientific Interest have found them to be in a poor condition, while some have had environmentally important features destroyed, the probe by JPIMedia’s data unit has revealed.

Reporter Aimee Stanton “painstakingly” analysed the results of more than 26,000 inspections at SSSIs – some of which have never before been published – for the investigation.

Major findings include a colony of puffins on the Shetland Islands’ Sumburgh Head in a poor and declining state, concern over the status of breeding peregrine falcons at Northern Ireland’s Fair Head and Murlough Bay, and all protected sections of Cornwall’s famous Bodmin Moor are found to be in an unfavourable condition.

The Scotsman splashed on the investigation on Tuesday

Tourism, invasive species and climate change are among the reasons given for deteriorating sites, while wildlife charities have described the situation as a “nature emergency” and called for urgent action.

The story has so far run in JPIMedia titles including The Scotsman, the Edinburgh Evening News, the Yorkshire Evening Post and the Derry Journal, with further coverage expected throughout the week.

Claire Wilde, news editor for data and investigations at JPIMedia, said: “To uncover this story, reporter Aimee Stanton painstakingly analysed the results of more than 26,000 inspections at SSSIs – some of which have never before been published.

“The poor condition of some of our most valued wildlife havens is deeply worrying. We hope that by drawing attention to the situation, we can prompt action to protect our natural treasures.”