SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

The implementation of specific Species and Habitat Action Plans remain essential to conservation of these most threatened and often rare or restricted UK BAP priority species and habitats. However, to ensure that biodiversity receives adequate attention, it is also necessary to consider a wider conservation focus. For example, silver studded blue butterflies occur in lowland heath with a need for habitat management action. But there are 60 other UK BAP priority species associated with lowland heath and consideration of the conservation needs of all these species as well as lowland heath habitat is necessary. The inclusion of all these species and habitats requires that a broader conservation perspective is taken.

Taking a broader perspective of the conservation requirements for the suite of UK BAP priority species and habitats provides a framework for integrated action; identifying and implementing common actions and tackling the factors and constraints impinging on efforts to reverse declines. This sectoral approach provides a benchmark of our progress by which we measure future trends. Integrating biodiversity into the delivery of sustainable development through legislation, policy, advice, incentives and an agenda for change at the landscape scale could reap positive conservation trends for a range of species and habitats, not just the rare and most threatened.

This wider conservation focus was considered in the Millennium Biodiversity Report, adopted by the country biodiversity strategies and is incorporated in the work of the UK BAP priority habitat umbrella groups as well as at a local level with many of the Local Biodiversity Action Plans. This report continues to develop a sectoral view of conservation action. These examples represent early efforts in the long-term implementation of the UK BAP. Developing this strategic approach for conservation at all levels; genetic, species, populations, communities, ecosystems and landscapes is essential and will be a measure of success for the UK BAP.

Agriculture

Almost 77% of the UK land surface has been managed for agricultural production, which exerts a significant and widespread influence on change in the countryside and the conservation status of a number of species and habitats. Of the Lead Partners that reported, 82 (23%) UK BAP priority species and 9 (21%) UK BAP priority habitats are directly associated with agricultural landscapes (English Nature, Making the Links). However a different picture emerges when taking into account the factors causing loss or decline, with agriculture identified as important in 37 (82%) habitat plans and 237 (61%) species plans, especially birds (85%), vascular plants (83%), butterflies (82%) and bees (65%). For an explanation of how this analysis was done, please Click here.

Whilst farming practice undertaken at appropriate levels and times of the year coupled with positive environmental management can minimise impacts, the most frequently identified factors are associated with nutrient enrichment and agro-chemical use (31% of agricultural factors), grazing pressure (27%), drainage, and intensive grassland management and cropping regimes. These impacts account for 78% of all agricultural-related issues.

Encouragingly, Lead Partners reported some positive conservation trends and real progress on the ground for species and habitats associated with agricultural landscapes including, stone curlew, silver-spotted skipper and cereal field margins (Figure 1). Notable successes include the range of prescriptions in agri-environment schemes for UK BAP priority species and habitats, targeted advice and wider uptake amongst land managers and farmers contributing to positive management of sites. However, a similar proportion of species and habitats associated with agricultural land continue to decline and some 22% of species are struggling to slow this negative trend. Forty four percent of habitats and 21% of species were considered stable but more work is needed to achieve sustained recovery (Figure 1).

Water and wetlands

Of the Lead Partners that reported, 87 (24%) species and 8 (19%) habitats are associated with water and wetlands (English Nature, Making the Links). However, an examination of the factors causing loss or decline, identified water and wetland-related issues, particularly habitat loss and aquatic pollution, as important for the conservation of 25 habitats and 105 species.

The most frequently identified factors are associated with pollution (33% of water related factors), largely runoff from agricultural land and industrial and commercial chemicals; and loss of freshwater and wetland habitats (50% of water related factors) due to water abstraction, dredging, erosion and construction of flood defences. For an explanation of how this analysis was done, please Click here.

Looking at the trend of UK BAP priority species and habitats associated with water and wetlands, Lead Partners reported mixed fortunes (Figure 2). One habitat, reedbeds, is increasing as significant areas have been restored or created, including 100 hectares at Ham Wall RSPB Reserve. Three species, lesser silver water beetle, bittern and otter are showing positive conservation trends across the United Kingdom and 14 species were considered as stable. Six (75%) habitats and 27 (31%) species continue to decline and a further four species appear to have been lost prior to publication of the action plans. For 31% of species the trend is currently unknown (Figure 2).

Forestry and woodlands

Woodlands cover an estimated 12% of the United Kingdom (Haines-Young, R.H. et al. 2000. Accounting for nature: assessing habitats in the UK countryside – http://www.cs2000.org.uk). These surveys estimated the stock of broadleaved woodland at about 1.5 million hectares, with a net increase in area of 5% since 1990, reflecting policy and incentives to encourage the expansion of native broadleaved woodland. Coniferous woodland accounts for about 1.4 million hectares of the UK, with a slow down in expansion over the last 10 years. However, there is much more work to be done to restore and create suitable UK BAP priority woodland habitats in terms of condition, species diversity and age structure whilst balancing other habitat and species conservation priorities.

Of the Lead Partners that reported, 73 (20%) species and six (21%) habitats are associated with woodlands (English Nature, Making the Links). However, an examination of the factors causing loss or decline, identified forestry and woodland management-related issues as important for the conservation of 100 species and 15 habitats. The most frequently identified factors are associated with woodland expansion or planting of inappropriate tree species (41% of factors), felling and loss of trees (23%) and lack of woodland regeneration. These factors account for 72% of all woodland management impacts. Other impacts include the decline of traditional woodland coppicing or pollarding practices and the loss of deadwood habitat for invertebrates and lower plants. For an explanation of how this analysis was done, please Click here.

Five UK BAP priority species, the horseshoe bat, nightjar, woodlark and lady’s slipper orchid and three habitats, native pine woodlands, upland oakwood and wet woodland have reported on the ground successes and positive conservation trends (Figure 3). Fourteen species were considered as stable. Two habitats and 20 (27%) species continue to decline and one species has been lost prior to publication of the action plans. For 37% of species and one habitat the conservation trend in this sector is unknown (Figure 3).

Coastal and marine environment

Of the Lead Partners that reported, 18 (42%) habitats and 53 (15%) species are associated with coastal and marine habitats (English Nature, Making the Links). Of these UK BAP priority species, the six grouped action plans for whales, dolphins, fish and turtles identify action for 40 marine species.

The factors causing loss or decline, identified coastal and marine-related issues as important for the conservation of 32 habitats and 72 species. Lead Partners frequently identify impacts associated with climate change / sea level rise (28% of factors), coastal defence works (15%), damage from bottom-trawling fishing gear, bycatch of marine species, coastal erosion and overfishing of stocks. These factors account for 66% of all marine and coastal related threats. Other factors include pollution from commercial and domestic sources, dredging and fish farming. For an explanation of how this analysis was done, please Click here.

For the majority of the coastal and marine (61%) habitats and 35% of species, the conservation trend is currently unknown, reflecting the lack of knowledge and the need for further survey and monitoring (Figure 4). One species, New Forest burnet moth, is showing a positive trend with a population increase at the single site in Western Argyll, although the population may be naturally fluctuating. Nine species and one habitat are stable. A significant number continue to decline: five habitats, coastal saltmarsh, Lophelia pertusa reefs, maritime cliff and slopes, sheltered muddy gravels and tidal rapids and 13 (25%) species. Three species, dune threadmoss, a cuckoo bee (Nomada errans) and a lichen (Teloschistes chrysophthalmus), appear to have been lost prior to publication of the action plans. Eight species and one habitat are currently showing no clear trend (Figure 4).