biodiversity

Bat mitigation at Llwyn Celyn, Abergavenny

11 November 2020

Biodiversity and mitigation design

Lucy Larkman Biodiversity, Ecology, Mitigation architecture, biodiversity, ecology, mitigation, sustainability 0

The Natural Environment

I am really appreciating the crisp autumnal air of November this year, especially within a within a second lockdown in England due to Covid-19. The natural environment gives me most things I need: clean air, fresh water and wholesome food; spectacular natural landscapes and wildlife; seasonality; resources and opportunities to make my life comfortable or enjoyable. It’s good for both my physical and mental health and I’ve been fortunate enough to have grown up living and work in the natural environment. The variety of the natural environment, this biodiversity, matters a lot to me, as well as to others. And we need it more than ever before, and here’s why.

Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss

Like most professional ecologists and those working in the natural environment, I care about my future’s health, wealth, and wellbeing. I recognise that climate change is an issue to us as a species and that species
degradation and extinctions are happening at an alarming rate across the globe. Just like any other animal, humans have modified the environment around them, using natural resources, to help them create places of shelter and enhance their chance of survival. Unfortunately, unlike any other animal humans have exploited the very environment that has given us life on earth. We, as a species, have a strong and deep desire not only to survive, but thrive. Over the course of our own evolution as a species we have thrived to occupy every continent on earth and are actively seeking
new horizons to other planets. This exploitation has positive impacts for us, such as advances in trade, technology and medicine.

But it must not go unrecognised that it has significant negative impacts on, specifically, climate change and biodiversity. Climate change and biodiversity loss are two-sides of the same coin. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change[1] issued an urgent warning in October 2018 that humanity has just 12 years left to keep global warming to below 1.5°C and avoid a climate catastrophe. WWF has also recently released the 2020 Living Planet Report[2] which revealed that the average abundance of more than 4,000 species across the globe has declined by 68% since 1970. Our oceans have also been warming 40% faster than previously thought and are struggling to cope with the 12.7 million tonnes of plastic waste we deposit in them every year.

[1] https://www.ipcc.ch/2018/10/08/summary-for-policymakers-of-ipcc-special-report-on-global-warming-of-1-5capproved-by-governments/
[2] https://livingplanet.panda.org/en-gb/

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Richard Dodd

30 March 2020

The Perfect Lawn

Lucy Larkman Biodiversity, Ecology bees, biodiversity, butterflies, ecology, lawn, lawnmower, pollination 0

What constitutes the perfect lawn?

As spring approaches, the daylight hours get longer, and nature begins to awake from its winter slumber. The lawn mower is brought out of hibernation, cleaned, oiled and blades sharpened.

Our goal as owners of lawns is to scratch the itch that has been manifesting and achieve the first cut. A report written for Natures Calendar (2019) suggest that the first cut on average is conducted on the 18^th March.

The Lawn Mower

The lawn mower was invented in 1830 by Edwin Budding from Thrupp in Gloucestershire. This mechanical device was used as an alternative to the scythe for maintaining extensive gardens. The beautifully manicured perfect lawn was an indication of wealth and social standing and was sorely coveted by middle and lower classes. Today, lawns are often part of the curtilage of many properties and not restricted to the wealthy echelons of society.

This piece of land that comes in all shapes and sizes. It is kept neat and tidy, with a short back and sides from March to November. However, it is often overlooked as a valuable habitat for many invertebrate species including butterflies, bees and beetles.

Butterflies

In the UK we have 56 species of resident butterflies and two regular migrants. These are the painted lady and the clouded yellow. Over the last 40 years, 76% of our resident and migrant butterflies have declined in abundance, occurrence or both. In fact, over the last 150 years, four species have become extinct. These are mazarine blue, large copper, large chequered skipper, black veined white and, until recent re-introductions, the large blue[1].

Depending on the climate, butterflies can be seen for a large majority of the year. The earliest recorded emergence of a UK butterflies this year was the 2^nd January. This was closely followed by different species recorded on the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th January¹. Early butterfly emergences continue throughout late winter into spring. They rely heavily on nectar plants for energy to fly, find a mate or replenish lost vitality after winter hibernation or a long migratory flight.

Bees

In the UK there are more than 250 species of bee including bumblebees, mason bees and mining bees. Like butterflies, bees have been in heavy decline, more significantly over the past century. Again, like butterflies, some species have gone extinct, including cullins bumblebee and the short haired bumblebee.

Nectar is a vital component for the survival of our bees, especially the bumblebee which depends entirely on flowers for nectar as a source of fuel and pollen for protein and nutrients. Providing a habitat that offers plenty of flowers from spring until late summer is essential for the entire active phase of a bee’s lifecycle. Plant species such as dandelions offer an early spring source of nectar, whilst white clover is attractive to honeybees and red clover is a preferred choice of the bumblebee. These plant species are often found in lawns that are uncut or have had less frequent cutting regimes.

globe thistle — Globe Thistle. Photo credit: Mike Birdy

Pollination

Butterflies and bees are important to our health, well being and existence as they are great for pollinating the food we eat. So great that they have naturally evolved to carry out this function. Without these insects we would have to resort to pollinating by hand. Butterflies are indicators of a healthy environment and ecosystem (a complex network of interactions between organisms and their environment) and have aesthetic value and often an iconic relevance to many people.

Bees play an important part to the economy of the land. In 2015 it was estimated that pollinating insects contributed over £600 million per annum to the UK economy. The declining numbers of pollinators means a less natural process and an increase in the cost of hand pollination, costing in the region of £1.8 billion per year[2].

For some the perfect lawn has trimmed edges, a tight cut, pinstriped design and no wildflowers (weeds). To pollinating insects the perfect lawn has varying length grasses with a mosaic of nectar producing plants. Two contrasting views but perhaps there is a way the two can be as one, at least for the start of spring. By allowing the cutting itch to irritate a few weeks longer and the wildflowers to bloom, the early emergent pollinators will have an easy access buffet and a greater chance of survival. Alternatively leave a small corner of the lawn to mother nature and banish the lawnmower and weed killing chemicals, a small price to pay to help halt the decline in these important species.

[1] Butterfly Conservation Trust [2] Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Ian Weller, Ecologist

10 February 2020

Veteran trees

Lucy Larkman Biodiversity, Ecology biodiversity, ecology, trees, woodland 0

Ancient Woodland

Many are found as individual specimens or within ancient woodland. Ancient woodland is defined as any area that’s been wooded continuously since at least 1600 AD. ‘Ancient woodland has been around for so long it has developed special communities of plants and animals not found elsewhere. It’s an important habitat and in sore need of protection. ‘ Woodland Trust

Although all ancient trees are veteran trees, not all veteran trees are ancient. Veteran trees may not be very old, but they have decay features, such as branch death and hollowing. These features contribute to their biodiversity, cultural and heritage value.

The Woodland Trust

According to The Woodland Trust ‘Our ancient woods are in desperate need of protection. Once vast, they now cover just 2.4% of the UK. Around half of what remains has been felled and replanted with non-native conifers and even more is under threat of destruction or deterioration from development and wider impacts such as air pollution.‘

‘Britain has more veteran trees than most countries in Europe, and their conservation is of international interest. ‘ We need to cherish and recognise the importance of veteran and ancient trees and ancient woodland.

Fungi

There’s more to woodland than trees though. Many fungi are dependent on them, as well as their soils which provide vital nutrients for flora. There’s probably more life below an ancient woodland than above it. Removing trees within these irreplaceable habitats is therefore problematic, not only to wildlife living on the tree itself, but those on or below ground too. And if that was not enough, they lock up greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, that negatively contribute to climate change. So, there’s more to a woodland than the sum of its trees.

Let’s keep the trees in the ground and value their beauty, as well as importance for biodiversity and cultural purposes.

Ian Weller, Assistant Ecologist

31 January 2020

Exit day brings in new legislation for biodiversity

Lucy Larkman Biodiversity, Ecology, Legislation, News biodiversity, Brexit, EU Exit, legislation 0

The Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

Our departure from the European Union (EU) on 1st February 2020 is a new day for biodiversity as the Conservation of Habitats and Species (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 comes into force on ‘exit day’.

In essence, the changes (agreed back in March 2019) are of governance only and the protection of wildlife sites, habitats and species remains intact. So, it’s out with words like ‘European Union’, ‘of Community interest’ and ‘biogeographical regions…of the territory’ and replaced with ‘United Kingdom’, ‘of national interest’, ‘Atlantic biogeographical regions’ and, of course, extensive inclusion of ‘exit day’.

The United Kingdom Government will still be required to report every six years on the implementation of the Habitats Directive and the Wild Bird Directive, and a duty remains to designate Special Areas of Conservation. The change being, is that designations on or after ‘exit day’ are to be of ‘national importance’. Each ‘competent authority’ will also (under the new Regulation 141A) have a transitionary six years to designate previous sites of ‘community importance’ to a new ‘national importance’.

However, there is no change at present to the protection of wildlife formerly known as ‘European Protected Species’. There will continue to be a requirement by a ‘competent authority’ to ensure their protection in the ‘national’ context. People will still need to undertake appropriate measures, such as protected species surveys, where such an animal is reasonably likely to be present and proposed works will have an impact.

In summary, the intention of the change is to ensure habitat and species protection and standards as set out under the Nature Directives are implemented in the same way or an equivalent way as the UK exits the EU. Therefore, there is no (or no significant) impact on business, charities or voluntary bodies. There is no (or no significant) impact on the public sector. There is also no change to policy. Well, at least not yet!

Richard Dodd, Principal Ecologist