Download Innovation Workshop - Integrating biodiversity

Daisy
Narayanan
Sustrans & Greener Greenways
● Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable
transport charity
● We deliver the National Cycle Network, Community
Links, Street Design and many other projects.
● Greener Greenways – partnership project between
Sustrans and SNH
● A citizen science based 3 year project aiming to
conserve and enhance biodiversity along National
Cycle Network Routes
Integrating biodiversity
The international Convention on Biological
Diversity (1992) defines biodiversity as:
'The variability among living organisms from all
sources including terrestrial, marine and other
aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological
complexes of which they are part; this includes
diversity within species, between species and of
ecosystems.'
Why incorporate biodiversity ?
● Moral – are we morally obliged to protect and
enhance biodiversity ?
● Legal – biodiversity duty on public bodies, Scottish
Biodiversity Strategy, preventative legislation
● Financial – ecosystem services, biodiversity offsetting
(no net loss) , increased property values, reduced
management costs
● Quality of life – “biophilia”, health and wellbeing,
social cohesion
Design principles – ecological function
● Native vegetation will broadly sustain the greatest
biodiversity – emulate natural ecosystems to create
maximum opportunities
● Functioning natural systems are required to sustain
biodiversity (succession, nutrients, water, air quality,
pollination etc – all required)
● Size and spatial relationship between habitats –
fragmentation by development and agriculture
impacts on biodiversity – Key need for habitat
networks to be integrated
Design Principles – human interaction
● Improved health and wellbeing (physical and mental)
● Improved social cohesion – increased use of spaces
and creation of improved public realm
● Increased community involvement and ownership
● Increased opportunities for learning through nature
What issues do you need to consider ?
●
What is there already ? – Carry out appropriate desk surveys,
records centre checks and field surveys to determine existing
habitats and species.
●
Check local and regional BAPs for priority species and habitats.
●
What immediate resources are available for construction
period ? – finance, labour, expertise
●
What ongoing resources are available for longer term
maintenance ? – Vital !
●
Community participation – take the community along
Creating wildflower meadows
Grassland management
Woodland and tree management
Pond and water management
Further information
●
Sustrans Greenway Management
Handbook – available on the
Sustrans website
●
SNH Sharing Good Practice event
“Biodiversity – Design with Nature”
29th September, Battleby.