|
|
|
||||||
|
Headlines from week beginning 17 October 2016 |
|
A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
Study shows fracking could threaten Britain's richest wildlife habitats
– University of Reading The whole Areas of Great Britain earmarked for
fracking may contain some of the country's richest wildlife sites,
scientists have found in the biggest ever mapping study of UK
biodiversity. Analysis undertaken by the University of Reading,
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Butterfly Conservation and British
Trust for Ornithology shows that many areas opened up for potential
shale gas extraction by the government in recent years are home to
species that are crucial to the functioning of ecosystems. Analysis of records of 5,553 species, from groups
such as bees, birds and butterflies, going back to 1970 has revealed 65%
of the areas of Britain deemed suitable for fracking have above-average
biodiversity. Senior author Dr Tom Oliver from the University of
Reading said: "Our results are an important step in assessing potential
impacts of fracking on species and will help protect much-loved British
wildlife that could be a risk such as wetland birds. The protected
status of species such as the Great Crested Newt have been vital in
protecting wildlife from unregulated development, but our research shows
trends in wider biodiversity can also readily be incorporated into
environmental impact assessments. We have more than 45,000 species in
the UK and many of them perform important services for humans, such as
pollination, decomposition and control of pests. Our new method of
analysing biological records collected by volunteers allows us, for the
first time, to map this wider biodiversity." Assessments based on endangered species - but
others are under threat Currently, records of protected species and
habitats are used in environmental impact assessments before such
decisions are made to conserve an area or open it to controversial uses
such as fracking. But this detailed species assessment is costly and can
only be done on a local level, and often only after significant
investment has been put into the development of a site, making reversal
of a decision to proceed unlikely. The new research provides a new and
effective way of identifying important areas for biodiversity to help
protect wildlife from the impacts of development, including fracking. How does your area rate? Each grid square
was then given a quality rating based on its relative biodiversity
within its category. These ratings can be viewed on an
interactive map created
to illustrate the results of the study. Read the paper:
Dyer, R.J., Gillings, S., Pywell, R.F., Fox, R., Roy, D.B. & 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. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12784
Save our historic daffodils and bluebells
– English Heritage English Heritage is launching a campaign to help
save the native and historic varieties of daffodils and bluebells, both
of which are at risk from aggressive hybrids and non-traditional
varieties. All this week, English Heritage gardeners will plant a record
25,000 native and heritage bulbs across the historic gardens in its
care. The charity is also calling on the public to join its campaign by collecting a free native daffodil or bluebell bulb from a selection of English Heritage sites to bring home and plant in their own garden. John Watkins, Head of Gardens
and Landscapes at English Heritage, said: "Native daffodils and
bluebells as well as the historic cultivated varieties are a vital part
of our horticultural and cultural heritage, inspiring gardeners and
poets alike. Our native species and historic cultivars are increasingly
under threat from cross pollination with non-native species and hybrids
that flower at the same time. Our major spring bulb planting campaign -
across some of the most important historic gardens in England - will
help arrest that national decline and ensure that the daffodil
celebrated by Wordsworth over 200 years ago can still be enjoyed by
visitors today and in the future."
Humble bait worm worth billions – University of Portsmouth
The humble bait worm wriggling on the hook at the end of an angler’s
line may be considered a low-value resource. But in the first global assessment of its value and impact,
University of Portsmouth researchers have revealed it to be an industry
worth nearly £6 billion per year. Bait worms are found to be many times more valuable than premium
seafoods for human consumption. For example, blood worms retail at
roughly £150 per kilogram in the USA – more than four times the price of
lobsters. Dr Gordon Watson, lead author of the research from the
University’s Institute of Marine Sciences, said: “This is the first
assessment of its kind in the world highlighting the extraordinary value
of worms. To think they are more valuable than costly delicacies like
lobster and oysters is quite astounding.” The researchers assessed three UK-based bait worm fisheries and
analysed published literature to produce their global calculation. Using
these data the team also estimated that the UK market alone is worth
£142 million. However, the prized nature of the bait worm means it has a
significant cost to the environment. Globally around 120,000 tonnes are
extracted from coastal areas each year. Dr Watson said: “Extraction has a significant physical impact, both
through the removal of the bait worms and the turning over of shore
sediment. The huge amounts removed at local, national and global scales
has an impact on wading birds and other protected species and habitats. Read the paper here
Smartbirds - understanding how gulls behave through high-tech backpacks
- British Trust for Ornithology In a bid to understand how the amber-listed Lesser Black-backed Gull
behaves around offshore wind farms, the British Trust for Ornithology
(BTO) has partnered with DONG Energy to carry out a study of the species
off the Cumbrian coast.
During the two-year study, state-of-the-art GPS tags are being used
to track the movements of gulls from a colony at Cumbria Wildlife
Trust’s South Walney Nature Reserve, the species is protected here but
has recently been in decline, and from rooftops in Barrow-in-Furness,
where Lesser black-backed Gulls are often less welcomed by their human
neighbours.
Cabinet Secretary announces regionalised approach to tackling bovine TB The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural
Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, has outlined a new regionalised response to
eliminate bovine TB in Wales as part of the Welsh Government’s refreshed
bovine TB Eradication Programme. Under the refreshed programme, Low, Intermediate
and High TB Areas will be established across Wales based on bovine TB
incidence levels. Each area will have a tailored approach to reflect the
varying disease conditions and risks. The Welsh Government is consulting on the measures
to be applied to protect the Low TB Area and to reduce disease in the
Intermediate and High TB Areas. The refreshed programme builds on the success of
the Eradication Programme so far, as well as looking at options to do
some things differently. Other new measures include strengthening of cattle
controls. Under the plans for the programme, chronic breakdown herds
would have individual action plans, developed in partnership with
farmers, vets and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), aimed at
clearing up the infection. The Cabinet Secretary has also acknowledged the
role played by wildlife in some TB breakdowns, but is clear that Wales
will continue to rule out an England-style cull of badgers with farmers
free shooting infected and healthy badgers themselves. Instead, the range of other options available will
be considered, including learning from a pilot in Northern Ireland where
badgers were cage-trapped and infected animals were humanely killed.
Working with vets and wildlife experts, the Cabinet Secretary will
consider whether a similar approach might be appropriate in high
incidence areas where there is chronic herd breakdown and an objective
confirmation that badgers are infected. Response:
RSPCA Cymru responds to Welsh Government’s Bovine TB eradication
statement - RSPCA Responding to a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, concerning the Welsh Government’s Bovine TB Eradication Programme, Claire Lawson, Assistant Director of External Relations – Wales, said: “Bovine TB is a devastating disease, and causes grief to so many, particularly within the farming community. RSPCA Cymru has always supported humane, scientifically-supported and effective methods to tackle this disease.We will engage closely with the Welsh Government in relation to this new consultation, which we understand will explore the potential of tailoring certain responses, per geographical area, as a means of preventing the spread of the disease."
£5k boost to Miles without Stiles –
Peak District National Park Water is giving £5,000 to the Peak District
National Park to produce a guide to countryside routes suitable for
people with mobility issues.
Known as Miles without Stiles, the routes are well
surfaced and free from stiles, steps and narrow gates which are barriers
for people with mobility issues. Yorkshire Water’s sponsorship will pay
for a new informative guide promoting these routes to people with
limited mobility, wheelchair users, families with children in
pushchairs, visually impaired people and disabled rambler groups. Peak District National Park staff are working with
Accessible Derbyshire, the Local Access Forum and disabled groups to
explore ways to improve access for disabled people and develop Miles
without Stiles routes. Sue Smith, Peak District National Park access
officer, said: “We’re delighted to have Yorkshire Water’s support for
Miles without Stiles – we plan to start work on identifying and
improving the routes on the ground in the New Year and will launch the
new guidebook in 2017. Miles without Stiles routes will be freely
accessible for people to use and the new guidebook sponsored by
Yorkshire Water will also be available for free with any donations going
towards developing more Miles without Stiles.”
National Trust rangers LASSO rare Norfolk beech seeds for the nation
– National Trust National Trust rangers on the Felbrigg Estate have
this week been helping to ensuring the survival of Norfolk’s rare beech
trees. Rangers are using rope lassos to collect ten
kilogrammes of beech mast (seed) for Kew Gardens’ Millennium Seed Bank
at the organisation’s Wakehurst estate in West Sussex. Once collected,
the seeds will be stored by the Millennium Seed Bank in sub-zero
temperatures in vaults deep beneath the Sussex countryside. Richard Daplyn, Deputy Head Ranger on the National
Trust’s Felbrigg Estate, said: “It’s extraordinary to think that seeds
from our trees could help ensure the survival of the UK’s woods in the
future. Separated from the UK’s other beech trees by their coastal
location, our Norfolk beeches developed a distinct genetic make-up found
nowhere else in Britain. Despite this week’s wet weather we managed to
collect a few bags of seed – using a process that’s simple, but
exhausting. Using a catapult to lasso a rope over the beech’s branch, we
shake the tree. The beech mast then fall onto a ground sheet below.” Clare Trivedi, UK National Tree Seed Project
Co-ordinator at Kew Gardens, said: “Building up our seed collections of
the nation’s favourite and most important tree species is a vital step
in combating the plant pests and diseases that threaten our best loved
trees – and are already changing Britain’s landscapes forever.”
Wind farm consented in Wild Land Area 37
– John Muir Trust Creag Riabhach could become Trojan Horse for
further industrialisation of Wild Land Areas The John Muir Trust has expressed concern over the
decision by Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse to consent the application
for the Creag Riabhach wind farm at Altnaharra Estate near Lairg in
Sutherland. The development will mean the construction of 22
turbines, up to 125 metres high – roughly the height of Scotland’s
tallest structure, the Glasgow Tower – in north west Sutherland. Five of
the turbines will fall within the boundary of Wild Land Area 37
(Foinaven-Ben Hee). Stuart Brooks, Chief Executive of the John Muir
Trust said: “Naturally, we are very disappointed and concerned. This is
the first such development to be consented within the boundaries of the
Wild Land Areas map since it was agreed in 2014. The decision flies in
the face of a series of previous decisions by the Scottish Government,
refusing consent to similar applications impacting on Wild Land Areas.
This is not a few small community-owned turbines. It is a major
industrial development, including giant turbines, access roads and
transmission infrastructure, which will almost certainly lead to the
redrawing of the boundary of Wild Land Area 37. We are concerned that
this project will become a Trojan Horse, attracting further large–scale
industrial development into the area in the future, leading to further
diminishing of the qualities of this wild place which attract visitors
from around the world. We also fear that the decision could set a
precedent for other Wild Land Areas.”
New UK fly species found in Perthshire
– Scottish Wildlife Trust A species of fly has been recorded for the first
time in the UK at the Trust's Tummel Shingle Islands Wildlife Reserve. The discovery was made by Stephen Hewitt,
Pelham-Clinton Research Fellow in Entomology at National Museums
Scotland, who is studying the flies that live on river
shingle-banks. Two female specimens of Platypalpus aliterolamellatus
Kovalev were swept from vegetation on Ballinluig Island. Stephen Hewitt said: “The flies are around 2
millimetres long and need to be identified under a high powered
microscope. They can be distinguished by looking at the tiny bristles on
their heads, and the shape of their legs and feet. It wasn’t too
surprising to find a new species on Ballinluig Island because it is
recognised as one of the best sites of its kind in Britain.
Shingle banks are a fairly localised habitat that can be damaged by
trampling from people and livestock, as well as gravel extraction. It’s
important to know what is out there so that we can identify the best
sites and protect them for the future.”
Scotland’s rarest fish finds safe
haven in southern loch – National
Trust for Scotland A small freshwater fish, whose habitat had reduced
to just two locations in England, is successfully surviving following
its introduction to Loch Skeen near Moffat.Conservation charity, The
National Trust for Scotland, has been working with Scottish Natural
Heritage (SNH) and experts from the University of Glasgow to establish a
thriving population of the fish in the loch, which sits in the Trust’s
Grey Mare’s Tail nature reserve. Monitoring of the fish at Loch Skeen over the
summer has revealed that the population has established itself well
enough for breeding to take place and significant numbers of the fish to
be evident. The first vendace were introduced to the loch in the 1990s,
with the stock coming from Cumbria. At that point the only stable
population of the fish was in Derwent Water and 110 lochs in south-west
Scotland were assessed to find the right place to establish a ‘safeguard
site’ for the species. Lindsay Mackinlay, the Trust’s Nature Conservation
Adviser said: “Loch Skeen was chosen because it had all the features
vendace need to thrive. It was the right size and depth and holds no
predatory fish such as pike or perch and its water quality suits the
species. The loch is also remote, accessed by a steep mountain path so
it remains relatively undisturbed. But there is always an element of
uncertainty when a project like this reintroduction takes place. With
species like vendace, it’s not just a simple case of plopping a few fish
and eggs into a loch and abracadabra, there they are! You need a team of
highly trained and experienced fish ecologists along with the support of
key partners, before such a reintroduction will work. In this case, the
vendace had just such a support network, and the monitoring work has
confirmed that the vendace are doing just fine in the loch.”
First seal pups spotted on the Farne Islands
– National Trust The first seal pups of the year have been spotted
by National Trust rangers on the Farne Islands off the Northumberland
Coast.
The annual seal count, carried out by the resident
rangers, is triggered by the birth of the first pups.
Rangers from the conservation charity spend two months each autumn
monitoring the success rate of the breeding seals which is crucial to
understanding how the seal population is faring. Every year, over 1,500
pups are born on the islands, which is one of the largest Atlantic grey
seal colonies in England with a population estimated at 5,000. The
breeding season for seals on the Farnes sometimes starts as early as
mid-September with the majority of pups born in November. National Trust ranger, Ed Tooth says: “A lack of
predators and a plentiful supply of sand eels and gadoids (cod) – which
make up a majority of the seals’ diet – has contributed to the success
of the colony. The seals have also selected a different location for
their rookeries, the breeding sites for the seals. Previously more
pups were born on the islands of North and South Wamses, but now many
seals try to breed on Brownsman and Staple islands. This has
resulted in mortality rates dropping, possibly because these islands
offer better protection from storms and high seas.” The rangers, who live on the Islands for nine
months of the year, count the seals every four days, weather permitting.
Once born, they’re sprayed with a harmless dye to indicate the week they
are born; using a rotation of three or four colours allows the rangers
keep track of the numbers. This year the team is also contributing
to a genetic study being carried out along the East Coast and in the
Netherlands to determine if the Farnes colony acts as a ‘seeding colony’
for the Dutch seals.
Scientific Publications Chamagne, J. et al (2016)
Forest diversity promotes individual tree growth in central European
forest stands. Journal of Applied Ecology.
DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12783 Graña Grilli, M., Lambertucci, S. A., Therrien, J. F. & Bildstein, K.
L. (2016)
Wing size but not wing shape is related to migratory behavior in a
soaring bird. Journal of Avian Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jav.01220
Innes M.W. Sim, Andrew J. Stanbury, Irena
Tománková, and David J.T. Douglas.
Changes in moorland and heathland bird abundance in southwest England in
relation to environmental change. Bird Study Vol. 0 , Iss. 0,0
DOI: 10.1080/00063657.2016.1241755 Morris, J. L., Cottrell, S., Fettig, C. J.,
Hansen, W. D., Sherriff, R. L., Carter, V. A., Clear, J. L., Clement,
J., DeRose, R. J., Hicke, J. A., Higuera, P. E., Mattor, K. M., Seddon,
A. W. R., Seppä, H. T., Stednick, J. D. and Seybold, S. J. (2016),
Managing bark beetle impacts on ecosystems and society: priority
questions to motivate future research. J Appl Ecol.
doi:10.1111/1365-2664.12782 Chamagne, J., Tanadini, M., Frank, D., Matula, R.,
Paine, C. E. T., Philipson, C. D., Svátek, M., Turnbull, L. A., Volařík,
D. and Hector, A. (2016),
Forest diversity promotes individual tree growth in central European
forest stands. J Appl Ecol. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.12783
|
|
|
|
CJS is not responsible for content of external sites. Details believed correct but given without prejudice. Disclaimer: the views expressed in these news pages do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CJS. |
|
|
Bait worms are many times more valuable than premium seafoods
(University of Portsmouth)
Image:
BTO
Members
of the Disabled Ramblers on Long Causeway from Redmires Reservoir, one
of the proposed Miles without Stiles routes in the Peak District
National Park (image: Peak District NPA)
Seal
pup on the Farne Islands (image: National Trust)
