UKBAP BiodiversityNews-45

Biodiversity News
News - Features - UK BAP Updates - Local & Regional - Publications - Events

biodiversitynews@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Issue 45
www.ukbap.org.uk
Spring Edition
Photo: Emilie Wadsworth
Editorial
Welcome to Issue 45 of Biodiversity News!

This issue almost finished up a little shorter than the others, so please keep sending me your articles to fill the newsletter
up with! As you may know, I am no longer distributing the file as an e-mail attachment but am providing a hyperlink to the
issues located on the UKBAP website. Many of you were experiencing problems opening the newsletter because of the file-
size and I hope this has been an adequate soloution. So please keep sending in your suggestions for improvements too. The
last issue can be found here: http://www.ukbap.org.uk/library/bn44.pdf

This time around we have an assortment of news stories such as details of a review of public bodies biodiversity duty, a
short piece on Restoration Network Irelands website, details on 14 new species of trees discovered by UK botanists and a
piece on work being done by members of the South East England Biodiversity Forum.

In the Features section we have a piece on waxcap toadstools from the National Trust, details on saving the humble bum-
blebee, the launch of the Million Ponds project, Restoring Englands Orchards and more.

We also have an assortment of local & regional articles, the usual UKBAP update, publications and events.

Many thanks to the authors for their contributions to this issue. If anyone is interested in having an article published in
Biodiversity News, please contact me on biodiversitynews@defra.gsi.gov.uk

In this issue...
News

Review of Public Bodies Biodiversity Duty 3
Mapping of Business Tools for Managing Biodiversity 3
Restoration Network Ireland 3
New Trees take root in UK and Ireland 4
Partners Work to Rebuild South East Biodiversity 5
Bats and the Planning System 5

Features

Waxcap Watch 6
Plight of the Bumblebee 7
Million Ponds Project Launched 7
Stag BeetlesA wonder of London 9
Restoring Open Habitats from Woodlands 10
Restoring Englands Orchards 11
Can Farmland Subsidy Really Help Our Wildlife? 12

2
Local & Regional

Conservation of White-clawed Crayfish 13
Hidcote Orchard Event 14
Biodiversity Action in Suffolk Parish 15
Aquifer-fed naturally fluctuating water bodies 16
Tamar Valley AONB BAP 17
Sheepdrove Rare Butterfly Project 17

Publications

Our Limestone Heritage Booklet Produced 18
LBAP Stakeholder Evaluation Research 18

UK BAP Updates
19

Events
20

Please note that the views expressed
in Biodiversity News are the views of
the contributors and do not neces-
sarily reflect the views of the UK
Biodiversity Partnership or the or-
ganisations they represent.
Regards,

Timo King
UK Biodiversity Policy Unit, Defra, Zone 1/07, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN
biodiversitynews@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Contents - News - Features - UK BAP Updates - Local & Regional - Publications - Events
Spring

News
3 Contents - News - Features - UK BAP Updates - Local & Regional - Publications - Events
Review of public bodies biodiversity duty

Defra has recently started work on a review looking at how local authorities and other public bodies have implemented
the biodiversity duty introduced by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.
This duty requires all public authorities in England and Wales to have regard to the purpose of conserving biodiversity in
the exercise of their functions. It came into force in 2006 and Defra has commissioned a study to look at how the duty
has been implemented in its first three years.
The purpose of the duty was to raise the profile and visibility of biodiversity; clarify and consolidate public authorities
existing commitments with regard to biodiversity; and help stimulate a culture change in all parts of the public sector,
so that biodiversity issues become a natural part of decision-making. The study will be collating information and looking
at how successful the duty has been in these aims, making comparison with the related duty in Scotland, commenting on
lessons learnt and making recommendations on how to improve effectiveness.
As part of the study, public bodies in England and Wales will be surveyed during the summer of 2009 to gather informa-
tion. More in-depth information will be gathered from a small sample and there will also be opportunity for other key
stakeholders to feed in via a workshop. Public bodies in Scotland will also be surveyed to enable comparison with the
similar duty which applies there. The study will report back towards the end of 2009.

Mapping of business tools and methodologies for managing biodiversity.

Scott Wilson and its partners have been commissioned by Defra to establish a comprehensive picture of the tools and meth-
odologies or mechanisms currently available to assist businesses in managing their biodiversity impacts and identifying
opportunities associated with biodiversity. The research builds on a previous study by Zoe Cokeliss in 2005.
The research involved identifying the full range of tools and methodologies available to nine key sectors as well as general
or cross-sectoral mechanisms. A shortlist of key mechanisms for each sector was identified and relevant organisations
and individuals were contacted for further information, particularly in relation to their effectiveness in promoting biodiver-
sity conservation. A draft report has since been prepared and a stakeholder workshop has been held to disseminate and
discuss findings.
For further information, please contact Defra project manager, Phil Lewis. Phil.lewis@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Restoration Network Ireland

Restoration Network Ireland is a non-governmental initiative that has been developed to provide an interface whereby
those working on restoration projects in Ireland can share information and discuss relevant issues. The main interface of
the network is the website www.restorationnetworkireland.com

The website will facilitate a project database, and the aspect that may be of most interest to users - a discussion forum
whereby issues relevant to restoration of different habitats, species specific projects and/or more general issues such as
definitions, sources of funding, etc. relating to restoration can be debated on-line. All relevant contributions are wel-
come. Remember, the discussions and the project database will only be as good as the contributions from you - so please
register, submit your data and lets get talking and sharing knowledge. One of the features of the network will be to en-
courage links with our colleagues and counterparts outside of the island of Ireland. Lessons can be learned from restora-
tion projects from all parts of the world, and contributions from the international restoration network are most wel-
come, particularly the Society of Ecological Restoration (www.ser.org).

Spring

News

Spring
New trees take root in the UK and Ireland
14 special species and hybrids of trees discovered by UK botanists

Avon Gorge Whitebeam, No Parking Whitebeam and Proctors Rowan are three of 14 new types of tree which can be seen across the
country; some named after those who found them or where they were discovered and others according to what they look like.
Botanists at National Museum Cardiff in conjunction with scientists from Bristol University, Exeter University, Oxford University and the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have named new kinds of tree in England, Wales and Ireland, all of which are rare and need to be pro-
tected.
Of the 14 finds which were named officially in Watsonia, the scientific journal of the Botanical Society of the British Isles last month,
seven occur in England. These are:
Avon Gorge Whitebeam (Sorbus avonensis) - a hybrid between Common Whitebeam and Grey-leaved Whitebeam;
Doward Whitebeam (Sorbus eminentiformis) - a new species, which can only be found in the Wye Valley in England and Wales;
Houstons Whitebeam (Sorbus houstoniae) which is a cross between the Common Whitebeam and the Bristol Whitebeam. Only
one tree is known from a cliff in the Avon Gorge;
Leigh Woods Whitebeam (Sorbus leighensis) was found in Leigh Woods on the Somerset side of the Avon Gorge whose differences
from the Grey-leaved Whitebeam has only recently been clarified using DNA;
Margarets Whitebeam (Sorbus margaretae) was first recognised as a distinct species by Margaret E. Bradshaw during her surveys
of the rare Whitebeams of South-West England and it is named after her;
No Parking Whitebeam (Sorbus admonitor) - the name originates from its location at the Watersmeet car park in North Devon
where a No Parking notice was nailed to a tree;
Robertsons Whitebeam (Sorbus robertsonii) hybrid was first found by Dr Tim Rich, Ashley Robertson and Libby Houston whilst
studying whitebeams in the Avon Gorge;
Proctors Rowan (Sorbus proctoris) is a new hybrid named after Dr Michael Proctor - an eminent senior botanist of Exeter Uni-
versity - for his excellent work on British Whitebeams.

Ms Libby Houston from Bristol discovered Houstons Whitebeam. She said: To have the Whitebeam named after me is a very special
honour, and it is a very beautiful tree. A tree was also named after Ashley Robertson Robertsons Whitebeam: I have enjoyed
working with Whitebeams throughout Great Britain for many years and it feels great to have one named after me".
These new finds, in addition to another five new types in Wales and one in Ireland are all members of the Sorbus group, which includes
whitebeams, rowans and service trees, increasing the number of this type of tree by over 50%.
Dr Tim Rich, Head of Vascular Plants, Amgueddfa Cymru National Museum Wales led this project which was primarily funded by The
Leverhulme Foundation and Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, with contributions from Countryside Council for Wales, Natu-
ral England and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He said:
Some of these trees have probably developed recently and are examples of on-going evolution of new species. Others are older types
which have been known for some time but are only now described as species thanks to modern DNA methods.
Dr Mike Fay, Head of Genetics, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, added: The whitebeams and rowans are among the best examples of
evolution in process in Britain. Conserving this type of process is an area under active discussion between the conservation agencies
and organisations such as Kew and the National Museum Wales. This represents a potential move away from conserving named organ-
isms in some cases, instead conserving the evolutionary processes occurring in a group of organisms. In Sorbus, new things keep
emerging, and making sure that this continues to happen is what is important.
The type specimens of the trees are held in the Welsh National Herbarium at National Museum Cardiff. The Avon Gorge species can be
seen growing at Bristol University Botanic Garden.
Amgueddfa Cymru offers free admission to its sites thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government. Amgueddfa Cymru oper-
ates seven national museums across Wales. These are National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, National Roman
Legion Museum, Caerleon, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre, National Slate Museum,
Llanberis and the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

News
Partners work to rebuild South East biodiversity
West Berkshire Living Landscape project shows what can be done

Members of the South East England Biodiversity Forum and other partners joined forces in Reading on the 6th March to
determine how they were going to apply the new South East Biodiversity Strategy to help Local Authorities and Local Bio-
diversity Partnerships deliver gains for biodiversity. This first South East Biodiversity workshop, held at Defras Innovation
Centre in Reading, brought together all the main organisations in the South East with a role in biodiversity work.
An example of how the new approach might work is the West Berkshire Living Landscape project, an ambitious conserva-
tion programme initiated by the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust and delivered in partnership with West Berkshire
Council. It covers 26 km
2
of land on the edge of Thatcham and Newbury. The aim of the project is to protect, link and
expand the wildlife-rich habitats extending from Greenham and Crookham Commons. This will give wildlife the best possi-
ble chance to adapt to the increasing pressures of development and the uncertainties of a changing climate.
The heathland at Greenham is on the top of a flat gravel plateau surrounded by wooded escarpments, with species-rich
alder-lined gullies, running down to wetland river valleys of the Kennet and the Enborne. The reedbeds, lakes, river, wet
woodlands and canal all form a varied wetland habitat, attractive to breeding birds including reed, sedge and Cettis war-
blers.
Jacky Akam, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trusts Living Landscape Project Manager, says: A number of species once
common in the area are now threatened or gone, such as water vole, otter, barn owl, silver-studded blue butterfly, long-
leaved sundew, bittern the list goes on. If we give them enough space and the right conditions, we could see these spe-
cies rise once again to the kind of numbers that will give them a chance to cope with change and adversity.
Just three weeks ago Natural England and the other key partners in the forum together committed their organisations to a
regional plan for improving biodiversity across the South East, encouraged by the presence of Minister for Wildlife Huw
Irranca-Davies.
Making biodiversity a core part of the wider strategy for the South East is essential, says Alan Law, Natural England re-
gional director. We have invested strongly in this South East partnership and we will be focussing our resources and
achieving publicly valued benefits. This is a new approach which means moving beyond protected sites towards embed-
ding an ecosystem approach to conservation.
As partners, we will share information on habitat management to ensure that populations of BAP species are supported.
Focussing our resources acknowledges that we cannot do everything, but we will maximise what can be done by concen-
trating on the right places and with the right people. We will be working at a landscape scale to link fragmented sites and
we will lead on the delivery for specific habitats and species. Working within the South East Biodiversity Strategy should
ensure there is effective co-operation between all the organisations with potential to have a major impact on biodiver-
sity, he says.

Bats and the planning system: A questionnaire for those involved in screening planning applica-
tions for natural heritage issue

Researchers at St Andrews University are carrying out a project aimed at providing tools and mechanisms to support the
efficient screening of planning applications involving bats. As part of this work, they have issued a questionnaire intended
for those Local Planning Authority (LPA) staff (planners, ecologists or others) who screen the received planning (etc) ap-
plications for natural heritage issues. The questionnaire seeks information about the way that potential issues relating to
bats and bat roosts are identified within the planning system. Unless you choose to identify yourself, all responses will be
anonymous, and treated with confidentiality. There are 20 questions and it takes about 20 minutes to complete.

The data will be used as part of a Masters project investigating bats and the planning system, undertaken by
Keith Cohen at the School of Biology, University of St Andrews.

If you would like to take part in the questionnaire, please go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?
sm=CC_2f2qtte4ZuV_2b85gmxsObA_3d_3d
Spring

Features
Waxcap Watch

Engagement with Supporters is one of the four core aims of the National Trust's Strategy to 2010 and Beyond http://
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust/w-thecharity/w-history_trust-our-future.htm. Hidden Nature, a communication theme,
was a key constituent in supporting this aim, within which Waxcap Watch was a major element. Waxcap Watch was
launched in the autumn of 2007, a public online survey of waxcaps and related grassland fungi at National Trust properties
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-chl/w-countryside_environment/w-nature/w-waxcapwatch.htm. Its aim was to in-
crease visitor engagement with properties throughout the UK, and to raise the importance of nature, its beauty and its con-
servation, while gathering important information on the levels of fungal biodiversity at individual National Trust properties.

Waxcap toadstools (Hygrocybe spp.) are fantastically colourful grassland fungi, and are
important indicators of unimproved nutrient-poor grassland. Along with Clavariaceae
(fairy clubs), Entolomataceae (pink gills) and Geoglossaceae (earth tongues) they
make up the CHEG profile which is used to classify grasslands, http://www.aber.ac.uk/
waxcap/downloads/ecology-diversity.doc, and assess their conservation importance.
The Trust survey included fairy clubs and earth tongues as they too are brightly col-
oured, but not pink gills as they are much more difficult for beginners (and indeed ex-
perts too) to identify.

The survey involved a simple system of classes and colours, which ensured it was
open to all ages and abilities. So people were easily able to enter red waxcap, or yellow
fairy club, etc, onto the website, rather than having to identify species. The number of
colours and individuals recorded gave a good indication of the species richness of the
site and the quality of the grassland at each property. The 2007 survey proved to be
very successful with the public and was repeated in the autumn of 2008.

In summary for 2008: almost 3000 individual grassland fungi were recorded; nine sites
were found to hold the rare UK BAP pink ballerina waxcap species (there is only one pink waxcap); and the main National
Trust property hotspots for grassland fungi included the Upper Wharfedale Estate, Malham Tarn Estate, Cragside, Arling-
ton Court, Tyntesfield, Llanerchaeron and Brownsea Island.

The grasslands that waxcaps flourish in are in rapid decline, due to intensive modern farming methods, including ploughing
(which destroys the mycelial network), and the use of fertilisers. Mushrooms and toadstools are simply the attractive, visi-
ble fruits of far greater life forms within the earth, ones vital to the continuing web of life on the planet. As the orchids of the
fungi world beautiful waxcaps are good flagship species for raising the profile of these essential earth recyclers, and the
surveys simplicity ensured everyone could take part and really enjoy engaging with nature.

Kay Haw
Undergraduate Conservation Assistant
Spring

Hygrocybe spp. Kay Haw

Features
Plight of the Bumblebee

Following on from the success of the 2008 Campaign Alarm Bells for Bluebells, the Central Scotland
Forest Trust are turning their attention in 2009 to the humble Bumblebee. Recent reports have high-
lighted problems with the global Bumblebee population, cumulating with the dramatic reduction in bum-
blebee numbers, and honeybees in particular, over the last few years.
The UK & Ireland now has 25 species of native Bumblebee. Three
species have recently become extinct, and 8 of our remaining
ones are listed as critically endangered and are classified as UK
Priority species. It is estimated that we are losing 30% of our Bee
colonies each year.
Bumblebees and Honeybees are a vital part of our ecosystem,
with estimates of a third of our food being solely reliant on polli-
nation by Bees. Many crops, such as broad beans, runner beans
and raspberries are heavily dependant on Bee pollination, so
much so that Bees contribute around 1 billion a year to the UKs
economy. There have also been some suggestions that if Bees
were to die out, the human race would only survive for approxi-
mately 6 years before running out of food. It is therefore impera-
tive that we save these creatures from extinction
CSFT is planning to distribute BumblyAid packs to primary schools
in the Central Scotland Forest area, as well as giving away Save
the Wee Bee packs, at community and corporate events. The packs contain everything you need to create your own Bum-
blebee haven in the garden or school grounds, from wildflower seeds and identification guides, to soil and seed trays for
those people who, because they dont have a garden, need them. We also plan to create several small Bumblebee reserves
throughout the area by planting Bee-friendly wildflowers with local school children.

See www.csft.org.uk for more information or contact Emilie Wadsworth at emilie.wadsworth@csft.org.uk

Million Ponds Project launched

The Million Ponds Project is a 50-year project to create a network of clean water ponds for freshwater wildlife

February 19
th
saw the launch of the Million Ponds Project, a 50 year initiative led by Pond Conservation to reverse a cen-
tury of pond loss. The project aims to bring the number of ponds in the UK countryside to a total of one million, compara-
ble with the number that existed in the early 20
th
century. (The number of ponds in the UK landscape has now fallen to
approximately half a million.) Phase 1 of the project will soon be underway and this aims to create 5,000 clean water
ponds in England and Wales by 2012. Of these 1,000 will be targeted to support over 80 Biodiversity Action Plan species
associated with ponds. (For a complete list of these species see the Pond BAP Species List, available on the Pond Conserva-
tion website: www.pondconservation.org.uk).

The focus of the Million Ponds Project is to encourage the creation of clean water ponds as these have the greatest po-
tential to be good quality wildlife habitats. These new ponds are also valuable habitats for communities of early colonising
species.

The need for a focus on clean water ponds is underlined by the results of the most recent Countryside Survey. (For more
information see www.countrysidesurvey.org.uk.) Although the number of ponds in the countryside has increased over re-
cent years (an 11% increase between 1996-2007), the overall quality of ponds has declined. Botanical diversity has de-
Spring

Photo: Emilie Wadsworth

Features

Spring
creased and currently, eight out of ten ponds in England and Wales are ranked as either poor or very poor quality.

To help ensure that a new pond develops into high quality habitat, Pond Conservation advises that three principles be fol-
lowed:

Create the pond where it will receive clean water and avoid linking it to streams or ditches.
Leave the pond to colonise naturally dont stock it with plants, fish or other animals.
Make sure the pond will have few impacts during its lifetime (no frequent disturbance from dogs, no added
plants or feeding of ducks).

Further information about these principles will be included in the Pond Creation Toolkit, which will soon be available on
the Pond Conservation website. The Toolkit will include advice on how to identify a suitable site for pond creation, how to
design a good wildlife pond and how to go about pond construction.

The Million Ponds Project is a collaborative effort involving a number
of partners (listed on the Pond Conservation website). These organi-
sations will be providing advice and support and some will also be
creating clean water ponds on their land as their contribution to-
wards the Million Ponds target.

An important partner in the Million Ponds Project is The Herpetologi-
cal Conservation Trust (The HCT), which is encouraging and support-
ing the creation of ponds for the amphibian and reptile BAP priority
species (great crested newt, common toad, natterjack toad, and
grass snake). Pond loss and habitat fragmentation has had a particu-
lar impact on all these species and the Million Ponds Project aims to
help them by creating new ponds, especially in areas where they will
provide a link between isolated populations.

Pond clusters are good for amphibians and studies have shown that
landscapes with high pond densities are particularly valuable for
great crested newts. Pond networks help populations to be more resilient during times of adversity and they also enable
recolonisation of vulnerable sites, preventing isolated populations from being lost.

Pond creation for the pool frog and natterjack toad will be possible on only a small number of sites due to the rarity of
these species and this work will normally be directed by The HCT. The only native reptile supported by the Million Ponds
Project is the grass snake because it is the only reptile closely associated with pond habitats. (One of its main food items
is frogs; they are excellent swimmers and can spend a lot of time in the water.)

The HCT can offer advice and support for the creation of new ponds and can also assist with management of ponds to
benefit amphibian BAP priority species or the grass snake. If youd like The HCT to help at a site near you, please get in
touch and register your interest by completing the form, Application for Support with Pond Creation and/or Management,
available on both The HCT and Pond Conservation websites.
Pond Conservation is now actively searching for funds to help with pond creation and all being well, money for pond crea-
tion for BAP species will become available later in the year through Biffaward funding.

For further information take a look at:

The HCT: www.herpconstrust.org.uk
Pond creation at Darcy Lever Gravel Pits in Bolton (January
2009), funded the The HCT. The photo was taken by David

Features
Spring
Stag Beetles a wonder of London

Medieval peasants feared the Thunder Beetle. As big as a mans thumb, it could summon thunderstorms and
destroy houses with burning coal gripped in its fearsome antler-like jaws. In Kent they threw stones at the
creature to protect their crops.

Better known today as the Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus), the UKs largest insect is in real-
ity harmless. The male beetles magnificent jaws are only used to wrestle other males
(though the jaw-less females can give a sharp nip!). Yet it remains threatened: a pro-
tected species under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with its own
Biodiversity Action Plan. As with so many wild animals that have struck fear into peoples
hearts, l. cervus is in much greater danger from us than we are from it.

Surprisingly, the beetles main stronghold in the UK is South London. Although it has re-
cently been recorded in most of the citys boroughs, it appears to be most common in
areas such as Beckenham, Dulwich, Wandsworth and Richmond. Largely absent from Cen-
tral London, l. cervus is rarely found in north-east and north-west London, with only scat-
tered clusters of records in places such as Winchmore Hill and Hornchurch. Outside Lon-
don, the main centres are Ipswich and the New Forrest.

Within South London, where the beetle is locally common, four nature parks (Lavender
Pond Nature Park, Stave Hill Ecological Park, Dulwich Upper Wood and Greenwich Penin-
sula Ecology Park) are managed by BTCVs Trust for Urban Ecology (TRUE). In recognition
of the importance of these areas to the long-term survival of l. cervus, TRUE is running a
programme to conserve and promote Stag Beetles funded by the SITA Trusts Enriching
Nature programme

The key to protecting l. cervus is dead or dying wood. For the majority of its 4 to 6
year life cycle, the beetle exists as a white larva eating its way through decaying tim-
ber until it is large enough to pupate. The dramatic adult forms only live for a few
months in Summer, sipping nectar and sap before they die. This means that to main-
tain its population, l. cervus needs a habitat rich in decaying wood such as tree stumps,
old trees and shrubs, rotting fence posts, compost heaps and leaf mould.

Modern trends have caused this habitat to shrink. In South London, the growth of sub-
urban housing has had a major impact. In recent years, long dry summers may have
resulted in more predators digging up and eating eggs or larvae, with increasing num-
bers of magpies and carrion crows thought to be taking their toll. Many woodlands
have been cleared of fallen trees, depriving female beetles of the places they need for
laying eggs. The practice of stump grinding has also reduced the range of available
habitats.

To counteract these trends, TRUE has created seven new Stag Beetle demonstration
loggeries, and provided material for thirty smaller ones in gardens, schools and local
parks. The first two Stag Beetle Centres have been set up in Dulwich Upper Wood and
Stave Hill Ecology Park. Over the past few years, logs have been buried throughout
Dulwich Upper Wood and as an edging along its network of wheel chair accessible path-
ways. This will not only encourage Stag Beetles but also a wide range of mushrooms
and toadstools that break the wood down. Logs and tree shreddings from local tree surgeons are stored at the centres and
then used to provide other sites with stag beetle habitat.

The Stag Beetle was once a supernatural creature to be feared: a thunder-beetle, a billywitch, a Devils Imp. Even today
people will destroy the adult male because they are afraid of its intimidating jaws. TRUEs aim is to protect this wonder-
ful creature and show people what it really is: one of the great natural wonders of London!

For further information contact Ben Dewhurst b.dewhurst@btcv.org.uk

This TRUE loggery for Stag Beetles
is open for business! Photo: Ben
Dewhurst

Volunteers construct the Stag Beetle
Centre loggery at Stave Hill Ecology
Park in Rotherhithe.

Features
Restoring open habitats from woodlands - public consultation

The Forestry Commission is asking the public for their views on what the right tree in the right place means in practice
in a landscape that continues to provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. The 12-week consultation
"Restoring and expanding open habitats from woods and forests in England" was launched on 12 March 2009 and runs until 5
June.

It supports a Government commitment in the Strategy for Englands Trees Woods and Forests published in 2007 and will be
used to develop a final report to Ministers. The Forestry Commission is using an open process engaging a wide cross-
section of stakeholders and working closely with Defra, Department of Energy and Climate Change and Natural England.
During the 20
th
Century large areas of heathland, moorland, wetland and unimproved grassland were planted with conifers
because the country needed to grow more timber. On other sites these open habitats were colonised by trees due to
natural regeneration. It is now recognised that many of these habitats are valuable for wildlife. In many cases, it is still
possible to restore them.

However, the woods and forests themselves have many benefits including reducing greenhouse gases, providing a home for
woodland wildlife, sustainable timber production, and improving the landscape. Many are loved by local people and some
attract thousands of visitors every year. So removing them may not be the best thing to do overall.
At the moment about 500ha of open habitat a year is being restored from woodland and forest as part of efforts to im-
prove biodiversity. The consultation is seeking views on how to decide when it is right to remove woods and forests to
restore or expand open habitat, if we should at least maintain woodland cover with compensatory planting and when the
trees should stay.
Dominic Driver who is leading the project for the Forestry Commission said:

"This consultation will help us advise Ministers on how we can create a policy for restoring and expanding open
habitats from woods and forests. We would like to hear from people who use woods and forests and open habitat
as part of their everyday lives as well as from organisations with a professional interest.

"The challenge of this new policy is to help conserve wildlife, ensure woods and forests play their part in the Eng-
land Biodiversity Strategy and continue to have our woods and forests contributing to other Government objectives
such as combating climate change, contributing to quality of life, supporting business development, and conserv-
ing the historic environment.

"In practice, restoring and expanding open habitats from woods and forests rarely involves removing all the trees.
In many projects, about half the woodland is retained. However, there may be some cases where removing most
of the trees is the right thing to do for wildlife. It is getting this kind of balance right that this policy consultation
is all about. We need to end up with a landscape that delivers more benefit to everyone now and in the future."

The consultation and supporting information is published on the web at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/england-openhabitats
-consultation

Spring

Features
Spring
Restoring Englands Orchards

At the time of writing, it appears that spring has very much sprung. Scattered across the land, Traditional Orchards will
soon be in full bloom, adding bright splashes of pink and white to the springtime palette. It is a good time to be reminded
of the many benefits that these special habitats have to offer, and how important it is that they remain part of our culture
and heritage.

- A habitat in decline
Over the last 60 years, the loss of our Traditional Orchards has been dramatic. In some counties there has been as much as
a 75% decline since 1945. As they disappear from our landscapes, so too will the rich genetic diversity of thousands of local
fruit varieties. Communities will lose opportunities for social gatherings that orchards provide; apple days, blossom festi-
vals, wassails. And of course there is the wildlife - a traditionally managed orchard supports a huge array of nationally rare
species. Some, such as the Noble Chafer beetle and the Mistletoe Moth are BAP priorities, whose range closely mirrors that
of Traditional Orchard distribution.

- Conserving and Restoring Englands Orchards
The National Trust is probably the largest single landowner of Traditional Orchards and is the joint lead partner of the Tra-
ditional Orchard HAP with Natural England. Last year, the National Trust secured a grant of 268,000 from Natural Eng-
lands Countdown 2010 biodiversity action fund, which the Trust will match to deliver the Conserving and Restoring Tradi-
tional Orchards in England project.

Having started in October 2008, the project is now in full swing and officially launched in late April. Our objective is to
contribute to the working aims of the Traditional Orchard HAP; to improve the condition of the habitat and to increase its
extent. We will achieve this by conducting surveys of fruit varieties and biodiversity, and through funding creation and
restoration projects. We will be organising a series of workshops on key topics such as management, fruit identification,
funding and marketing. We will hold events to raise public awareness and produce an orchard website to act as a portal to
existing sites and resources. Working throughout England, on and off National Trust land, we will be drawing on the ex-
perience and expertise of our project partners, including PTES, Common Ground and the Wildlife Trusts.

- Work in progress
It is sure to be a busy two years, and work is already underway. At Morville Hall in Shropshire, the first steps to restore
their old traditional orchard have been taken. Eight new trees have been planted, along with the sheep proof guards
needed to protect them. Tools for pruning the existing trees have been purchased for use by the enthusiastic team of ten-
ants and volunteers. The Wiltshire Wildlife Trusts Traditional Orchard Project has begun work on their ambitious plans to
map and survey traditional orchards, carry out restoration and creation work and organise a series of events to celebrate
and raise awareness of orchards in Wiltshire.

A quarterly newsletter will be produced to provide updates on the projects progress, and will publish details of workshops
and events happening over the next two years. To receive a copy or for any further information on the project, contact
the Orchard Project Officer kate.merry@nationaltrust.org 01458 253 752.

Features

Spring
Tir Gofal: can farmland subsidy really help our wildlife? - Dr Lizzie Wilberforce

The Welsh agri-environment scheme Tir Gofal is often held up as a
flagship means of delivering benefits to wildlife across Waless
farmed landscape. It cost the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG)
around 19 million in 2006/07, and now Wildlife Trusts Wales are
involved in a major project to examine the real impacts on a few
of our key species.
The work has been undertaken by a consortium that also includes
the RSPB, Bat Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation and
Plantlife, funded by WAG.
The recently completed desktop study
1
has drawn some interest-
ing, and mixed, conclusions about the direct benefits of Tir Gofal
on these key species.
The work undertaken by Wildlife Trusts Wales focussed on the
terrestrial mammals in the study- Brown Hare and Water Vole, with other species covered by consortium partners.
The Brown Hare is relatively widespread in Wales, if not densely populated. Brown Hares have seen a rapid decline in
numbers over the last 40 years, especially in western Britain- a fact largely put down to specialisation and mechanisation
of agriculture, especially with increases in techniques such as silage cutting, which are detrimental to Hares. However,
Brown Hares are not particularly specialist in their habitat needs- rather, they benefit from diversity of food sources and
can cope well as long as a variety of food and shelter is available year round.
In general, the different land management techniques funded by Tir Gofal (known as prescriptions) and the way in which
they are being applied across Wales suggests that Brown Hares stand to benefit significantly. Hares will gain through an
increased range of habitats within individual farms, more winter food sources, and larger areas of shelter in which to lie
up, such as un-cut field margins.
However, Water Voles presented a rather different situation. Water Voles are more specialist in their habitat require-
ments, have much smaller ranges, and have much greater pressures on their populations from predation, particularly from
American Mink. Far less of the land in Tir Gofal was likely to benefit water voles- and that was assuming that they were
even recognised to be present, without which appropriate land management cannot be targeted. Being much less readily
found and recognised than Brown Hares, they are less likely to be accommodated by the scheme.
Of the other species considered by the study, results were also mixed. The species faring worst was Chough, with none of
the management techniques providing all its needs, but reassuringly, for most species the beneficial prescriptions far out-
weighed the detrimental.
In general, many Tir Gofal prescriptions provided moderate gain to at least some of the species examined by the study.
However, it was noted that a small number had really significant potential to assist more than one species from our list-
and yet, these were rarely applied. In addition, of the rarer species, those most likely to benefit were those that had very
specific requirements and were tied to a particular and easily recognisable habitat type. For example, the Large Heath
butterfly is closely associated with lowland bogs and moorland and is therefore well targeted with appropriate manage-
ment since the habitat itself is readily identified and appropriate management is mandatory. This suggests that although
many ingredients are present in Tir Gofal to help rare species, the right management is not always being targeted in the
right place- either because farmers do not choose to take on the optional prescriptions, or because they are unaware of
the rarer species presence and needs.
Following these findings, a WAG funded contract has recently been won by the consortium to undertake 3 years of farm
studies. We hope to provide sound evidence as to whether these apparent effects hold true in the field. So, watch this
space!

Brown Hare. Photo: Darin Smith

Local & Regional
Conservation of White-clawed Crayfish
Austropotamobius pallipes, in South West England

The white-clawed crayfish (WCC), is Britain's only native species and has suffered severe de-
clines, most devastatingly in recent decades due to the spread of non-native crayfish species
(NNCS) and associated 'crayfish plague'. In Britain the number of 10km grid squares occupied by NNCS overtook those occu-
pied by white-clawed crayfish in 2003. In particular, South West England (where NNCS were first farmed for food) has ex-
perienced a rapid decline, for example three out of four of its most abundant populations have been lost in the past three
years alone and now less than 20 populations remain in the region.
In October 2008, England's statutory nature conservation organisation Natural England, awarded funding to Bristol Zoo
(lead partner), Avon Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency for a three-year project to implement at landscape scale,
active mitigation from the threat of NNCS by identifying a number of suitable refuge or 'Ark' sites in the region so as to
safeguard the species' future. The work builds on efforts by the Environment Agency and Avon Wildlife Trust over the past
ten years to assess the distribution and status of native crayfish in the region which also included the first know transloca-
tion to a lotic Ark site in England in 2006.
It is crucial to the success of this work that it takes place at river catch-
ment scale and links with other relevant initiatives. The work is also in line
with supporting measures in River Basin Management Plans for the Water
Framework Directive, though it is outside the scope of the project to at-
tempt any form of direct control against populations of NNCS. The project
will also trial captive breeding programme as Bristol Zoo Gardens, as this
aspect could be crucial in future conservation efforts.
The primary aim of the project is to identify all remaining white-clawed
crayfish within the South West and prioritise them in terms of threat. Ark
sites will then be identified by working through detailed ark site selection
criteria and then threatened potential donor populations will be linked to
potential ark receptor sites throughout the South West. A series of trans-
locations will be carried out in order to try and safeguard all remaining
threatened white-clawed crayfish populations. .
The secondary aim of the project is to establish and maintain viable breeding populations of white-clawed crayfish ex situ
to provide plague free brood stock. This system will be installed within Bristol Zoo Gardens and linked to an on-show ex-
hibit within the Zoo Aquarium. Another key element of this captive breeding project is to raise public awareness by en-
gaging visitors in this initiative.
A targeted education programme will run alongside the project highlighting key White-clawed crayfish threats and publicly
promoting measures for their conservation. This will include the development of a regional awareness campaign including
outreach programmes to fisheries and landowners, Bristol Zoo education sessions and interpretation panels, the develop-
ment of a media campaign and production of updated publicity materials. As part of the communication strategy, the
project will be hosting an international crayfish conference in the autumn of 2010.
Critical success factors required for translocations and captive breeding will be identified, recorded, published and dis-
seminated to stakeholders and partners responsible for the maintenance of the species and its habitat. The project will
also drive UK BAP conservation targets and contribute to EU WCC conservation targets such as increasing the range of
white-clawed crayfish. Both existing and potential white-clawed crayfish habitats within the South West will be looked at
to work towards creating new site designations where possible.
Other partners include Buglife (UK's invertebrate charity), Bristol Water (utilities company) and expert consultants.
For more information please contact:
Jen Nightingale: jnightingale@bristolzoogardens.co.uk
South West White-clawed Crayfish Project Leader
Spring

SW White-clawed crayfish ark site

Local & Regional
Hidcote Orchard Event

The sunny setting of Hidcote Manor Gardens in North Gloucestershire came
alive with traditional orchard enthusiasts at a free event organised by
Gloucestershire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group on Saturday 14
th

March. Funded by the National Trusts National Conservation and Restora-
tion of Traditional Orchards in England Project, over 50 people from farm-
ers to community groups, smallholders to schools, came along to hear from
a wide range of specialist speakers and learn about all aspects of maintain-
ing, restoring, planting and using traditional orchards.
After an introduction to the project by Kate Merry the project officer, the
day started in the garden orchard where the RHS were running a tree prun-
ing course. Course instructor John Edgeley gave tips on maintaining fruit
trees, pruning and shaping the tree to achieve optimum productivity and
longevity. Teresa Watt from BTCV also said how orchard owners can get
assistance on managing their trees from BTCV volunteers. John Rippin,
head gardener at Hidcote, then gave everyone an overview of the history
and future plans for the garden. The group were then enthralled by Dave
Kaspar from Days Cottage who produces delicious juices, cider and perry
from traditional orchards and is also chairman of the Gloucestershire Orchard Group (GOG). Dave gave an account on the
history and diversity of the local varieties, with timelessly appealing names like Arlingham Schoolboys, Chaxhill Red and
Taynton Codlin and then explaining about the research and classification of rootstock. He then went on to give a fascinat-
ing demonstration of grating a new scion onto the rootstock, making it look much easier than it is!
The tour then took the group through the parkland setting of Hidcote to a traditional pasture orchard, where Chris Wedge,
orchard specialist from Natural England, outlined the Higher Level Stewardship scheme process and targeting including
opportunities for funding traditional orchard restoration and replanting. Rebecca Charley, from the National Trust ex-
plained the importance of grazing in orchards whilst protecting the trees from stock damage, before a talk on the impor-
tance of orchards as habitats for invertebrates by Anita Burrough. Working for the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species,
Anita has been putting together an inventory of traditional orchards in England, recording the species, number, age and
condition of the fruit trees and undertaking surveys for the rare Noble Chafer beetle, which depends on the dead wood
habitat found in mature traditional orchards. Returning to the issue of funding and learning, Graham Thompson from Rural
Enterprise Gateway (REG) explained how farmers and landowners could access funding for training or consultancy by form-
ing a REG group, and the subsequent opportunities available under REG. Walking through the soft fruit enterprise at Hid-
cote, the group stopped to hear from Dave Kaspar about the uses for fruit, and the importance of creating a sustainable
and viable future for orchards. After hearing about the edible delights from orchard produce it was time to finish up the
day with lunch in the caf and sample some of the delicious Days Cottage juice.
With great feedback on a successful day, it was clear that the passion and interest for traditional orchards in Gloucester-
shire and the surrounding counties demonstrated by both specialists and enthusiasts alike provides hope that the future of
traditional orchards should be a prosperous one.
Spring

Local & Regional
Spring
Biodiversity Action in a Suffolk Parish

The success of the national Biodiversity Action Plans depends on local engagement. Individ-
ual involvement has been a frequent feature of biodiversity activity ever since the halcyon
days of Gilbert White, and the opportunity now exists for whole communities to contribute
to an overall strategy. With the advent of BAPs this effort can be more co-ordinated than
ever before. This paper sets out how a parish in East Anglia has taken up the challenge.

The community of Wenhaston is situated some three miles inland from the east coast at
Blythburgh in north Suffolk. The underlying ground consists of the northernmost outcrops of
the Suffolk Sandlings interspersed with heavy clay, and the main land use is agricultural/
livestock rearing. The sandy areas were formerly heathland and those areas that remain in
this condition comprise the five Wenhaston commons. Historically the local people used
these for grazing livestock and collected gorse and heather as farm bedding. These practices
ceased many decades ago and whilst some of the commons were burnt from time to time,
accidentally or otherwise, no other management took place, with the result that gorse and
eventually oak woodland have become dominant. In addition to the commons there are
other areas of deciduous woodland, of which one is old with signs of past coppicing and
owned by the parochial church council and another recently planted by the Woodland Trust.

The commons contain substantial areas of lowland heath and acid grassland, both national BAP priority habitats. Other
such habitats in the parish include ancient hedgerows within the farmland that may fall within the DEFRA stewardship
schemes, and at least twelve animal species with national BAPs occur here with the potential for more. Other species of
local interest, for example the Ant Lion (Euroleon nostras) and Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi) are found on the heaths.
The Wenhaston Commons Group (WCG), an organisation of local residents, carries out habitat restoration and management
work and undertakes a number of other BAP- related projects. Recruitment of local landowners into an overall parish
scheme remains an overall objective for the future.

Our main activity currently is to clear appropriate areas of the commons of many decades worth of overgrown gorse so
that heather, particularly Erica spp. can become re-established. This has lead to the so far successful re-introduction of
the Silver-Studded Blue butterfly (Plebejus argus) to one large heath. Management of the commons is carried out on behalf
of the local district council to whom a five year plan has recently been submitted for funding purposes. Other current pro-
jects which form part of the groups local BAP include providing boxes for Barn Owls (part of the Suffolk-wide pro-
gramme), creating a wild flower area in the churchyard, monitoring reptile shelters, installing nest boxes in publicly ac-
cessible areas, opening up an old sand pit exposure, and ongoing surveying/recording. In addition community interest is
sustained by events including social occasions, regular walks and footpath maintenance.

The WCG is fortunate to have access to much specialist knowledge and advice, and is well supported by locals who them-
selves contribute some relevant skills e.g. tree surgery. The group also has its own tools and equipment and access to a
sympathetic farmer for heavy duty work e.g. scraping off accumulated litter on the heaths.

We hope that by showing what opportunities exist other communities will feel equally encouraged to take up arms in sup-
port of the national Biodiversity Action Plans. At the end of the day the latters success will depend upon local activity
more than anything else.

Wasp Spider

Local & Regional
Spring
LBAP habitat of the month: 1. Aquifer-fed naturally fluctuating water bodies

Aquifer-fed naturally fluctuating water bodies are temporary lakes, called turloughs and found in areas of carboniferous
limestone. Turloughs have no visible inlet or outlet streams but are fed from groundwater. They are unique environments
both in terms of the geology and the rare wildlife which they support. As they are fed from groundwater they regularly
fill with water in winter and empty in the summer. In Carmarthenshire Pant-y-Llyn turlough can be found at the eastern
end of Carmel Woods SAC and is the only example of a turlough in Wales. It is usually empty by JuneJuly and fills again
from October to December. Richard Pryce
Because of the periodic filling with water vegetation is zoned
around the turlough and specialist plants can be found here that
can cope with variations in flooding. There is a clear sequence of
moss, swamp plants and woody plant communities, which occupy
different zones in the basin.
The turlough may not look that dramatic, despite its uniqueness in
the country, but it is the habitat of a number of rare and highly spe-
cialised species. A minute species of moss has been identified there
called Ephemerum hibernicum, which was confirmed at the time as
the first non-Irish record of this species. It has subsequently been
found by a reservoir in Monmouthshire and a lake in Portugal, but is
otherwise restricted to a few sites in Ireland. It needs fluctuating
water levels and lime-rich mud on which to grow, making Pant-y-
llyn an ideal site for it. Despite its tiny size, there is little doubt
that E. hibernicum is an extremely rare species - probably one of
the rarest in Carmarthenshire.
The lake also holds one of three known Carmarthenshire populations of Aphanorrhegma (Physcomitrella) patens. This is
another small, subtle moss that appears in late summer on neutral or lime-rich ground that has been flooded earlier in
the season. It grows and produces spores in a matter of weeks, which has made it a perfect experimental organism for
scientists. As a result, Aphanorrhegma is the most intensively studied of all moss species. A few plants from the Pant-y-
llyn population were collected in 2005 and are being grown by scientists from Leeds University, who are studying DNA
variation within the species.
The other bryophyte of interest at Pant-y-llyn is the large aquatic moss Fontinalis antipyretica, which grows in great
hanging masses from overhanging trees that are flooded in winter but exposed in summer. Fontinalis is a common moss
on Carmarthenshire's rivers, but is known from very few lakes in the county. Its habit of hanging from tree branches is
also characteristic of turloughs in Ireland.
There is also a good range in aquatic invertebrates, including aquatic beetles and freshwater crustacean.
In the past Pant-y-llyn has been threatened by nearby quarrying activities but has been protected by inclusion in the Na-
tional Nature Reserve. Today it remains vulnerable to actions that may alter the hydrology or water quality.
The turlough is surveyed and monitored by CCW. The sites uniqueness makes it very important that its characteristic
ecology and hydrology is maintained.

Photo: Richard Pryce

Local & Regional
Tamar Valley AONB BAP

The Tamar Valley is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as its stunning
landscape is considered of national importance. It is also an important area for biodiver-
sity, demonstrated by the number of statutory designated sites, including Sites of Special
Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area, as well as
a number of County Wildlife Sites, Local Wildlife Sites and a Local Nature Reserve that are
within the area. The Valley is home to some species that are not to be found at any other
location within Cornwall and Devon, such as the triangular club-rush.
The Tamar Valley AONB is in the process of producing a BAP for the Valley to guide local
biodiversity conservation action. As the AONB is split between the counties of Devon and
Cornwall, each half is subjected to a different county level BAP and their differing priori-
ties, targets and actions. A BAP for the whole area would enable a consistent approach to
the management of biodiversity as well as contributing to the county BAP targets. Locally
important priorities can be identified whilst still incorporating the wider, county level ac-
tions.
The provisional BAP will be going out to consultation later on in the year. If you have any
comments, suggestions or queries please contact Rosemary Teverson at rtever-
son@tamarvalleyorg.uk

Sheepdrove Rare Butterfly Project gains Natural England support

Natural England has awarded grant aid to Sheepdrove Organic Farm for a Higher Level
Stewardship scheme in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
which is setting out to save one of the UKs most vulnerable butterflies.
"By planting large numbers of Devils-bit Scabious, we are creating new habitat for
the Marsh Fritillary, a threatened species in dire need of extra breeding sites and
habitat links in the downland countryside," announced farm owner Peter Kindersley,
who has spent years expanding the wildlife-friendly projects at Sheepdrove Organic
Farm.
Natural Englands area officer, Leanne Smith, said Sheepdroves scheme meets one
of our important wildlife targets for the North Wessex Downs Target Area. This is a
good example of the kind of special projects we want to encourage through the Higher Level Stewardship scheme. Our
grant totals 4313 for plants, seed and rabbit protection, fencing and management, plus annual payments of 293 towards
grazing.
Natural England manages the Environmental Stewardship grants for farmers and landowners to deliver conservation of
wildlife, maintain landscapes and natural resources and protect historical features.
Natural England helped us to ensure we made the most of the available options, said Jason Ball, who devised Sheep-
drove Rare Butterfly Project in partnership with experts from a range of organisations. Butterfly Conservation, BBOWT
(Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust), Forestry Commission, Flora Locale and the local Farming and
Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) all provided advice on site choice, seed sources and management.
Sheepdroves project areas one each in Berkshire and Oxfordshire lie within flying distance of the last known local col-
ony of Marsh Fritillary.
Mr Ball explains, "All it takes is a few Marsh Fritillary females to find us and lay eggs on these plants, and a new colony
can begin. Imagine watching this stunning butterfly here in years to come.
The North Wessex Downs area is one of the priority target areas for Environmental Stewardship projects and farmers can
find out more about how to benefit from the schemes by contacting one of the dedicated team of advisers on 0300 060
1112 or at iss.reading@naturalengland.org.uk or online.
Spring

Photo: Jason Ball
Publications

Spring
Our Limestone Heritage booklet produced

Our Limestone Heritage booklet was published in January 2009 by the Irish Wildlife Trust. This was a cross border initia-
tive, jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
The booklet gives an insightful description of this wonderful landscape and its unique biodiversity. The focus of the book-
let is the limestone heritage, both natural and cultural, of the Burren and County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. It high-
lights the pressures on these fragile landscapes and what we can do to protect them.

Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) Stakeholder Evaluation Research

This study was undertaken from 2006 - 08 with Bangor Univer-
sity (N. Wales) and funded by Isle of Anglesey County Council.

LBAPs grew as part of UK conservation committment following
the Rio Earth Summit of 1992. Ideally, evaluation of the LBAP
process should be based on hard data with actual figures for
the amount of new conservation work which has arisen. But,
despite a proliferation of LBAPs and associated action plans
since the latter part of the 1990s, there is little solid data of
this kind available on which the success or otherwise of the
process could be thoroughly evaluated. Time and resource
limitations made a study at this level unrealisitc, and so this
research rather explored LBAPs in terms of policy, and issues
from the point of view of nearly one hundred stakeholders in-
volved in LBAP coordination and implementation. Policy issues
included whether LBAPs were meant to be a key driver for the
UK BAP or merely a means of covering local gaps in coverage,
and why the original Guidance for LBAPs (1998) was vague in key areas. Opinions were sought from stakeholders on LBAP
partnership action, resources and local conservation needs, as well as the level of reporting of progress through BARS, and
a number of other topic areas.

The study found widespread feeling that LBAPs had led to better local communication and networking, but that the
amount of actual new conservation work on the ground has been relatively slight. Expectations for achievement of new
action have often been held back by a lack of new funding and staffing. Whilst this may not seem a big surprise in gen-
eral, the study argues that significant resouces could often have been spent better; a key case being the writing of long
detailed lists of actions that often had little chance of being carried out. A refocusing of effort on key priority areas could
achieve better results, and the study makes a number of recommendations in this and other areas.

In the opinion of research writer David Cowley: its not only that more new resources would have achieved more new
action; the study highlights the fact that more clarity and forethought in guidance and process could have led to LBAPs
having had greater effectiveness. Some repondents wrote at great length and detail in answer to research questionaires;
it seemed there was plenty of willingness to explore issues at these levels. I hope that the policy-makers and those servic-
ing the LBAP process at higher levels will actually take note of this work and consider the issues it raises.

Copies are available in pdf on request from from David Cowley by e-mail at: dcxpl@anglesey.gov.uk

David Cowley MPhil, MSc

Crested Newt Survey/Training, Anglesey. Photo: W. Wuster,
NWWARG

UK BAP Updates
The UK BAP: latest action - Ant Maddock JNCC
The hectic snow was quite exciting, particularly for me who was cut off in our village. But now the hints of spring are eve-
rywhere; buds, flowers, longer days, warmth and all that that brings. Spring really is a good time to be in the UK! Hope-
fully, the advent of spring brings positive news about the UK BAP it does seem that way as good progress is being made
with the reporting and with the implementation of the new UK List of Priority Species and Habitats which is what is briefly
outlined in this report.

The 2008 Reporting Round
Dealing with the data from the fourth Reporting Round data is progressing apace. The UK BAP species and habitat trend
data have been analysed for use as UK Indicators and these data were sent to Defras Environment Statistics Service for
final analysis and preparation. The UK Indicators were released early in April 2009 before being used as part of the UK sub-
mission to the CBD. The UKs progress towards the 2010 targets will be based on these indicators of which the UK BAP spe-
cies and habitat trends represent two of the 18 UK indicators. Further, the UK BAP reporting data have been available to
use since early April 2009.

The first draft of the 2008 analyses has been commented upon and the second draft is nearing completion and follows the
format of the 2005 summary report (http://www.ukbap.org.uk/library/Reporting2005/UKBAPReport05.pdf). It is planned
to finish the bulk of the analyses by the end of April 2009 and production of the final text for the summary report a month
or so later. Thereafter the report will need to be signed off by the ministers from each country before it is released.

UK BAP Species and Habitat Review
Progress with implementing the conservation actions for the new UK List of Priority Species and Habitats by the countries,
NGOs and other voluntary sectors continues (please consult the websites of the devolved agencies or country groups for
further information). The UK work is now focusing on a means to provide species habitat requirements in a searchable web
-based format. It is planned to give Standing Committee a view of a prototype of this at their meeting on 29 October 2009.
In the meantime, the Terms of Reference for the UK Habitat groups have been finalised and country representatives to
serve on the UK Habitat groups are being selected. Once this task is completed, the first UK meetings can take place.
There is also work being done at a UK level on the principles to be considered when setting targets. A paper on this was
discussed at the Standing Committee meeting held on 23 April 2009.

Biodiversity Action Plan
Events
Himalayan Basalm Bash
Saturday 23
rd
and Saturday 30
th
May:10.00am - 3.00pm
Oxford Island
Are you a keen environmentalist or just a lover of the great outdoors? Help celebrate the International Day of Biodiversity
(22
nd
May) by joining Craigavon Borough Councils Conservation team and the Conservation Volunteers NI for an open air
workout as we aim to remove Himalayan Balsam an invasive species that is threatening our woodland.
For further details contact Andy Smith (CVNI) 028 9185 2817 or e-mail a.smith@btcv.org.uk.

Wales Biodiversity Week 2009 - Get closer to the Wonderful Wildlife of Wales!
Wales Biodiversity Week is an annual week of wildlife-themed events that takes place annually all over Wales; this
year's events run from the 6th to 14th June. The vast majority of events are free and deliver a positive message for bio-
diversity, raising awareness, enthusiasm and inspiration among the public. The events range from small and per-
sonal guided walks in nature reserves and towns to large fairs where thousands of people can learn about biodiversity and
the environment. Link: http://www.biodiversitywales.org.uk/wbw-121.aspx

Natural Fibres 09 - 14-15 December 2009, London - Call for Papers

2009 is the International Year of Natural Fibres. In the UK, a two-day international conference, Natural Fibres 09, organ-
ised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, will take place in London on 14
th
-15
th
December 2009. This event
will celebrate and highlight the increasing use of natural fibres, to raise awareness of their diverse properties, and stimu-
late an increased demand. It will offer an opportunity for natural fibre industries to come together to foster international
partnership and increased understanding of the role that natural materials can and must play in ensuring a sustainable fu-
ture.
The call for papers for the event is now open, and papers and posters are invited to be submitted by 30
th
June 2009.
The conference will focus predominantly on the industrial applications of natural fibres, and include presentations in the
broad themed areas of fibre extraction fibre processing industrial applications (e.g. automotive, construction, lei-
sure, healthcare, etc.) biocomposites geotextiles biomimetic materials animal fibres marine fibres natural fi-
bres for the developing world. Papers are being sought in all areas of natural fibres, and should be submitted to Dawn Bon-
field (dawn.bonfield@iom3.org) by 30
th
June 2009, according to the guidelines on the event website www.iom3.org/
events/fibres.
This conference will benefit all groups who have a professional interest in any aspect of the use of natural fibres: industri-
alists, academics, researchers, the agricultural industry, investors, funding bodies, designers, environmentalists, and cen-
tral and local government.

For further details about the event, please see the website www.iom3.org/events/fibres or contact
dawn.bonfield@iom3.org

Please send in any dates of courses, meetings, conferences, events for young people or any other dates of relevance
that could be included in our diary.
Spring

UKBAP BiodiversityNews-45

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

UKBAP BiodiversityNews-45

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Biodiversity News

News - Features - UK BAP Updates - Local & Regional - Publications - Events

You might also like