Rare stone curlews nest on the Plain

Heather Wilkins from English Nature said: "There has been a major shift in attitude by English Nature and the Army.

"For the first time we are going to have a designated officer working on Salisbury Plain."

The appointment of Stephen Davis, who will manage the project, is aimed at improving schemes such as the care of the marsh fritillary butterfly.

Planting trees

Currently, 34% of the UK's marsh fritillary butterfly population lives on Salisbury Plain.

Another scheme will involve planting trees at an area known as Battlesbury Bowl.

This has been used by tank regiments for 40 years, and is covered with rusting hulks.

The tanks are to be removed, along with the site of a firing range, to allow for trees to be planted.

Salisbury Plain has also increasingly been designated a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) which means land owners are legally obliged to care for the land.