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A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
Rare yellow bird's-nest discovered at RSPB Scotland Skinflats
- RSPB An usual plant with a complex relationship to its
surroundings has been found growing at RSPB Scotland Skinflats. The yellow bird’s-nest was uncovered in an area of
scrubby woodland at the Forth reserve, only the fourth time it has been
seen in Scotland since 2000. All other records were at sites near
Glasgow. The flower is pale yellow in colour due to the
fact that it lacks the green pigment chlorophyll, which is vital for
photosynthesis. This means that instead of using the sun’s rays to
create energy, yellow bird’s-nest has to look elsewhere for food. RSPB Scotland’s Niall Traynor, the warden who
discovered the plant, said: “Yellow bird’s-nest is very unusual and
interesting, and as a fungus buff I was really very excited to find it
growing so close to where I work! Yellow bird’s-nest is unique in the
way it gains its energy. It steals nutrients from a type of fungi which
in turn is gaining its food thanks to a mutual relationship with nearby
trees. This complicated relationship may well be one of the reasons it’s
so rare in Scotland, though a lack of the right type of habitat is
likely to be another factor. Either way, I feel very lucky to have found
it, and I’ll be making studies of the woodland in the coming months to
learn more about it and make sure it’s properly protected.”
Shipping agreement helps tackle problem species
– Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust A new international agreement to reduce the spread
of water-born invasive species between countries due to shipping has
been warmly welcomed by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. Large ships take on ballast water from coastal
waters in one region for stability due to the weight they are carrying,
then discharge it in another when they unload. In doing so, they
inadvertently pick up water-born plants and animals and deposit them in
another region’s water. Species that accidentally stow away in ships’
ballast tanks include mussels that can block pipes, “killer shrimp” that
can decimate fish fry and fast-growing plants that can outcompete native
varieties. The new agreement will oblige all shipping to treat ballast
water before discharging it from their tanks. It will come into effect
in 12 months time to give shipping companies time to adjust. Peter Morris of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
said: “Non-native invasive species are a growing threat to the British
wildlife as trade and travel increases. They already cost the UK economy
around £2bn per year and that will only increase if we don’t stop their
spread. Treating ballast water is a great way to tackle the problem
because it is cheaper, quicker and easier to prevent species arriving in
the first place rather than trying to deal with them after they’ve
spread. This is very, very welcome for us personally because we’re
already dealing firsthand with the impacts of water-born species
arriving in Britain. We regularly have to clear Asian zebra mussels that
block our pipes, and we are endlessly having to pull out virulent
non-native plants that choke our native water life of light, oxygen and
space.”
Rise in cliff-fall hospital admissions and emergency responses sparks
warning from councils and fire authorities
– Local Government Association A worrying rise in cliff-related emergency
responses and hospital admissions has sparked a beach safety warning
from councils and fire authorities. Firefighters are responding to people getting
stuck climbing 200ft high cliffs, stranded dogs - whose owners have
themselves become trapped trying to rescue them – walkers falling down
cliffs after straying into closed-off areas and huge rockfalls onto
beaches near bathers. A 13-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital last
month with life-threatening injuries including a fractured skull, a
collapsed lung, broken ribs and a broken leg after falling down a cliff
while playing on rocks in North Tyneside. New figures show the Royal National Lifeboat
Institution (RNLI) undertook 166 launches to people on cliffs in 2015,
compared with 118 in 2014 – a rise of 41 per cent – while firefighters
are rescuing people stranded on cliffs and beaches due to rising tide on
an average of once a month. Further figures from the The Health and Social
Care Information Centre show 121 people were admitted to hospital with
injuries sustained due to falling from cliffs in 2014/15, compared with
112 in 2013/14 – an 8 per cent increase. To help reduce avoidable 999 responses, the Local
Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 370 councils
and all 48 fire and rescue authorities, is calling on government to
launch a national campaign to highlight the risks of climbing, walking
along or bathing near cliffs and is urging people to assess the risks
and use their judgement.
New report reveals potential climate change impact of recycling and it’s
out of this world – Welsh Government A new report published at the start of National Recycling Week has
uncovered the potential climate change impact of recycling in Wales and
it’s enough CO2 savings to power 1,200 journeys to the moon by car. The Climate Change Impacts of Recycling Services in Wales report,
produced by WRAP Cymru on behalf of the Welsh Government, compares the
current climate change benefits from recycling in Wales to what could be
seen if all local authorities adopt the preferred kerbside collection
method and meet the 70% recycling target. Access the
Climate Change Impacts of Recycling Services in Wales report
Teignbridge secures land for new countryside park in Dawlish
– Teignbridge District Council Teignbridge has successfully secured land between Exeter Road and
Eastdon Woods north of Shutterton Lane in Dawlish for a new countryside
park for the local community. Due to open next year, the countryside park will provide a natural
recreational area for local people to enjoy now and for future
generations, as part of a £2.9m project called Suitable Alternative
Natural Green Space (SANGS).
Dawlish
country park (image: Teignbridge District Council) This natural, green space is needed to help protect internationally
important conservation sites at nearby Dawlish Warren and the Exe
Estuary, providing more leisure choices for the growing population and
people living in new developments nearby. Teignbridge, in partnership with Exeter and East Devon Councils,
recently established the South
East Devon Habitat Regulations Executive Committee, to help protect
these key conservation sites. The three authorities are working together
to provide safe areas for all users to enjoy and care for the bird
populations they support. Cllr Humphrey Clemens, Teignbridge's Executive Member for Housing and
Planning, said: "I'm delighted that this site has been secured for the
enjoyment of local people and visitors as a countryside park. The new
countryside park will be public open space with wild countryside and
walks, available to all. It will be home to native species including
wildflower grassland, scrub and woodland, and native wildlife, such as
cirl buntings. In addition to nearby coast and countryside at
Dawlish Warren and the Exe Estuary, it will give people more choice
about where they go to explore the environment and enjoy nature at its
best. "
More than one in ten UK species threatened with extinction, new study
finds - The Wildlife Trusts
It’s not too late to save UK nature but we must act now - that is the
conclusion from a coalition of more than 50 leading wildlife and
research organisations behind the State of Nature 2016 report Following on from the groundbreaking State of Nature report in 2013,
leading professionals from 53 wildlife organisations have pooled
expertise and knowledge to present the clearest picture to date of the
status of our native species across land and sea. The report reveals
that over half (56%) of UK species studied have declined since 1970,
while more than one in ten (1,199 species) of the nearly 8000 species
assessed in the UK are under threat of disappearing from our shores
altogether. There are many inspiring examples of conservation action that is
helping to turn the tide. From pioneering science that has revealed for
the first time the reasons why nature is changing in the UK, to
conservation work – such as the reintroductions of the pine marten and
large blue butterfly and the restoration of areas of our uplands,
meadows and coastal habitats. But more is needed to put nature back
where it belongs. The widespread decline of nature in the UK remains a serious problem
to this day. For the first time scientists have uncovered how wildlife
has fared in recent years. The report reveals that since 2002 more than
half (53%) of UK species studied have declined and there is little
evidence to suggest that the rate of loss is slowing down. Mark Eaton, lead author on the report, said: “Never before have we
known this much about the state of UK nature and the threats it is
facing. Since the 2013, the partnership and many landowners have used
this knowledge to underpin some amazing scientific and conservation
work. But more is needed to put nature back where it belongs – we must
continue to work to help restore our land and sea for wildlife. There is
a real opportunity for the UK Government and devolved administrations to
build on these efforts and deliver the significant investment and
ambitious action needed to bring nature back from the brink. Of course,
this report wouldn’t have been possible without the army of dedicated
volunteers who brave all conditions to survey the UK’s wildlife.
Knowledge is the most essential tool that a conservationist can have,
and without their efforts, our knowledge would be significantly poorer.” Quick facts in
infographic form.
The RSPB: The State of Nature 2016 report Working side-by-side, over 50 wildlife organisations have compiled a
stock take of all our native wildlife. The report reveals that 56 per cent of the species studied have
declined over recent decades. More than one in ten of all the species
assessed are under threat of disappearing from our shores altogether. However, the report illustrates that targeted conservation has
produced inspiring success stories and, with sufficient determination,
resources and public support, we can turn the fortunes of our wildlife
around. This report builds on the previous State of Nature report to further
highlight the need for conservation projects across the UK, UK Overseas
Territories and Crown Dependencies. Follow the downloads link for access the State of Nature report in
full plus editions covering Scotland and England separately.
State of Nature 2016 – new analytical approaches and knowledge gaps
– British Ecological Society, blog By Dr Daniel Hayhow, Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for
Conservation Science and author of The State of Nature 2016 report The State of Nature 2016 report published today (14 September 2016)
is the most comprehensive assessment to date of the status of species,
across a broad range of taxonomic groups, in the UK. The report presents measures that will be familiar to readers and
others that are newly developed. Take a look at our
blog on the pocket guide to the statistics. In this blog I want to highlight some of the developments we have
made in our analytical approaches and the remaining gaps there still are
in our knowledge in order to highlight ways that readers might be engage
with future State of Nature projects.
State of Nature report reveals continued decline in Scotland's wildlife
– Scottish Wildlife Trust A major report revealing that almost one in ten Scottish species are
at risk of extinction has been published today (14/9). The State of Nature 2016: Scotland is a follow up to the first State
of Nature report, which was published in 2013. It has been compiled by a
coalition of 53 wildlife organisations including the Scottish Wildlife
Trust and represents the clearest picture to date of the status of
native species across land and sea. While some species have increased there are declines within many
groups. These include more than half of vascular plants, such as
juniper, and 39% of butterflies. There are also serious concerns for a quarter of Scotland’s birds
including upland species such as dotterel and curlew, and seabirds such
as puffins and kittiwakes. Across Great Britain 19% of plants, 11% of invertebrates and 11% of
fungi are now at risk of extinction, and specialist butterflies, which
are most sensitive to changes in habitat, have decreased by 32%. The Trust's Head of Policy and Planning Dr Maggie Keegan is one of
the authors of the report. She said: "The State of Nature report shows
an urgent need to address the decline of Scotland’s wildlife. It is
vital that people and organisations work together now to restore native
habitats for future generations. Nature is important in its own right
but it also provides a huge range of essential services, ranging from
the clean air that we breathe to the pollination of our crops. The value
of many of the services that nature provides is immeasurable, but a
recent estimate of those that can be measured shows that nature is worth
between £21 - £23 billion per year to Scotland’s economy. The findings
in the new report support the creation of a National Ecological Network
that would link up protected areas and fragmented semi-natural habitats,
helping wildlife move more freely and become more resilient to threats
such as climate change. Increasingly we will need to deliver
conservation on a landscape scale through initiatives such as our Living
Landscapes, and ensure that people are better connected with nature. We
also have to radically reform Scottish agriculture to ensure that the
billions of pounds of public funding that are spent on it are used in a
way that allows wildlife to thrive alongside food production and bring
benefits for many people and not just a few.” Download the
State of Nature 2016: Scotland (PDF)
NGO Statement on the State of Nature 2016 report The following is the response by the National Gamekeepers’
Organisation to the State of Nature report, which is published today (14
September 2016). The report has been produced by a partnership of more
than 50 organisations involved in the conservation of nature in the UK
and its Overseas Territories. A spokesman for the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation said: “The
State of Nature 2016 report claims that policy-driven agricultural
change is by far the most significant driver of wildlife declines and
the loss of nature in recent decades. It goes on to say however that
well-planned conservation projects can turn around the fortunes of
wildlife, so the NGO is hugely disappointed to see that the widespread
and effective conservation management done by gamekeepers in the name of
game management receives scant attention. “It is no secret among knowledgeable conservationists that
gamekeeping is uniquely placed to offset the intensive management of
much agricultural land. It is able to help wildlife in the farmland
environment to a greater extent than almost any other type of land
management. In fact, much of the conservation work the report calls to
be implemented is routinely carried out by gamekeepers every day of
their working lives. The incentive provided by game retains hedgerows,
ponds and marginal land. It also ensures that woods are planted and
managed with wildlife in mind, some of the areas where the report
precisely urges action to be taken. “We also notice State of Nature hardly dwells on the severe impact
that predation can have on wildlife. We feel this is a mistake. It is a
serious gap in the authority of the report and shows to us that its
authors simply do not understand the finer points of wildlife
management. Remember gamekeepers are the original champions of
biodiversity, who were successfully employing wildlife conservation long
before others followed our lead.
Groundwork staff pledge to promote pedal power Groundwork UK colleagues have put down car keys and picked up cycle
helmets today in honour of National Cycle to Work Day. Cycling to Groundwork’s head office near Brindley Place, Birmingham,
colleagues rode in from as far afield as Dorridge to do their bit for
the environment and cut down on C02 emissions. After taking up the pledge to cycle to work, colleagues were then
rewarded with a well-deserved cup of coffee and a croissant to celebrate
their success. Nabila Gardner, Programmes Office at Groundwork UK said: "Like
several of my colleague’s I cycle to work most days so it’s great for us
all to be able to make this pledge as a team and an organisation to help
the environment. It’s a wonderful achievement and we encourage other
work places to get involved."
State of Nature 2016, personal reflections from CEO
– Wildlife Trusts The news in this week’s State of Nature report is
all too familiar. Things are generally getting worse for the species
living around us. Over the last 50 years, 56% of species have declined,
while 15% are at risk of disappearing from our shores altogether. The
Wildlife Trusts' CEO Steph Hilborne shares her personal reflections...
New east Scotland findings of tree disease
– Forestry Commission Scotland Forestry Commission Scotland’s annual early summer
tree health aerial surveys have detected new outbreaks of
Phytophthora ramorum at 24 sites across Scotland. The early detection of the disease has allowed for
swift action to help limit the impact of the disease at the affected
sites and surrounding areas. Although the majority of new findings are
near sites of previously known infections, seven sites in Angus and
Perthshire – an area out-with the most suitable climatic area for this
disease – and some are over 10km away from known existing infections.
All appear to be highly localised in extent. These findings include the
first known P. ramorum on larch both in the Cairngorms and the Loch
Lomond & The Trossachs National Parks – both infected sites are close to
the respective Park boundary. Dr Anna Brown, Forestry Commission Scotland’s Head
of Tree Health, said; “Our helicopter surveillance & monitoring
programme has ensured early detection and action is already underway via
statutory measures. Furthermore, our system for managing disease
outbreaks, including handling of statutory measures and impact arising
from increased harvesting of infected trees, is well embedded and
understood by the sector. Therefore, we would not expect these findings
to disproportionately impact on businesses or any negative reaction from
industry.” The recent detections might be an early indication
that the wet and windy conditions experienced during summer/early autumn
2015 might have led to a ‘jump’ of the disease into areas normally less
favourable for P.ramorum. Further aerial surveillance
currently underway will help to determine whether there is a new trend
of spread rather than the sort of isolated occurrences previously seen.
Over 2,000,000 square kilometers of UK Ocean to be protected
- RSPB A combined area of UK ocean bigger than Germany
and France will be placed in fully-protected marine reserves (1.05
million km²)
The UK and several UK Overseas Territory
Governments have jointly announced that over two million square
kilometres of British waters will be protected for future generations. This far-reaching agreement, announced at Our
Oceans conference in Washington D.C. by the UK and UK Overseas Territory
governments, recognises the global importance of our marine wildlife.
This commitment will protect these ocean areas from unsustainable and
pirate fishing, damaging deep-sea mining and other activities that could
be deadly or disruptive for nature, plus help the world meet its global
target of protecting 10% of the marine environment by 2020. Jonathan Hall, RSPB’s Head of UK Overseas
Territories, said: “This is simply enormous and shows world-leading
vision. In the week where 53 organisations came together to launch The
State of Nature report which showed continuing declines for UK wildlife,
the Government and those of our Overseas Territories have now shown
fantastic ambition in recognising that we need to protect our rich
oceans and the amazing wildlife they hold.” When taking all 14 of its Overseas Territories
into account, the UK is responsible for the fifth largest area of ocean
in the world, measuring 6.8 million square kilometres, over twice the
size of India, and nearly 30 times the size of the UK itself. This
gives the Overseas Territories and the UK a unique opportunity for
global leadership in meeting UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 to
conserve 10% of the ocean by 2020. Some 94 per cent of unique British
wildlife exists in these Territories, including more penguins than any
other nations on earth, and the world’s largest coral atoll.
Oxford to become England's first 'Swift City'
- RSPB The RSPB and its partners were granted £83,700
from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a new Oxford ‘Swift City’. The
two-year project will maintain current swift nesting sites in the city
and add 300 further sites onto new and existing buildings, in an effort
to combat a decline in the swift population in recent years. Flying swift (image: Graham Catley, RSPB)
One
possible cause of the swifts’ decline may be losses of nesting sites, as
old buildings are renovated and new builds do not include spaces for
them to nest. To address this, the project will research Oxford’s
present swift populations and nest sites, and use this information to
work closely with builders and planners to maintain them and also
incorporate new sites into the city’s infrastructure. Oxford has a long scientific and cultural
association with swifts. The swift colony nesting at the Oxford
University Natural History Museum has been intensively studied by the
Edward Grey Institute of Ornithology since 1948; one of the longest
continuous studies of a single bird species in the world. Charlotte Kinnear, local RSPB Conservation
Officer, said: “Like much urban wildlife, swifts are under pressure in
the UK. HLF funding of this exciting project gives us the opportunity to
study swift nesting and feeding habits more closely and to involve the
local community to monitor and protect them. We hope that as well as
improving the outlook for swifts, lessons will be learnt which can be
applied to species recovery plans for other urban wildlife.” Starting in January 2017, the RSPB will work
alongside partners including Oxford University, The Oxford University
Museum of Natural History, Oxford City Council, Thames Valley
Environmental Records Centre, Environment Resources Management and the
local Wildlife Trust to improve the breeding prospects of swifts in the
city.
Scientific Publication Dyer, R.J., Gillings, S., Pywell, R.F., Fox, R.,
Roy, D.B. and Oliver, T.H. (2016),
Developing a biodiversity-based indicator for large-scale environmental
assessment: a case study of proposed shale gas extraction sites in
Britain. J Appl Ecol. Accepted Author Manuscript.
doi:10.1111/1365-2664.12784
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