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A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
Invest in Green Belt for the parks, paths and woodlands of tomorrow,
says CPRE Research demonstrates natural capital and public
access value of Green Belt New research published today by the Campaign to
Protect Rural England (CPRE) shows the huge potential of the Green Belt
in terms of amenity and nature conservation. CPRE is calling on the
Government to prioritise investment in Green Belts in the forthcoming
25-year plan for the environment and make sure Green Belt protection is
enforced. Produced by environmental consultants ADAS, Nature
Conservation and Recreational Opportunities in the Green Belt shows how
Green Belt is particularly valuable in giving people access to the
countryside and opportunities for recreation. It also shows how the
woodland and wetland in Green Belt can be enhanced to help us mitigate
climate change. Given Green Belt’s protected status, CPRE argues
that we have the perfect case for investment in improving these vital
public amenities. ADAS’s research sets out several case studies that
provide models for how that can best be done in funding terms and by
demonstrating where previously derelict industrial sites have been
converted to thriving nature reserves and woodland. Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) planning
campaign manager, Paul Miner, comments: “The Green Belt is successful
and popular, preventing urban sprawl and giving people the opportunity
of getting away from it all. With the increasing pressure of development
it is more vital than ever. Yet we are nibbling away at it month by
month while the Government looks the other way. The Green Belt’s future
depends on the Government’s desire to protect it and to fund
opportunities to use that land for further public benefits. Yesterday’s
car parks and sewage works can be tomorrow’s wetland and woodland,
enjoyed by urban and countryside dwellers alike. Given its potential, we
should be looking at how public funding can improve Green Belt.” Access the report and
summary:
Nature Conservation and Recreational Opportunities in the Green Belt and
summary
New licensing policies: great for wildlife - great for business
– Natural England Ground-breaking licensing policies will free up
money for long-lasting nature conservation. Natural England is revolutionising the way it
issues licences to provide significant benefits for both wildlife and
licence applicants. Four innovative new policies have been created
that will smooth the process for businesses who require a wildlife
licence for their project, saving them time and money. In return, they
will fund an unprecedented level of investment in the creation and
enhancement of wildlife habitat. This will provide greater security for
populations of protected species such as water voles, dormice, bats and
great crested newts.
Great
crested newt © Michael Hammett Together, the 4 new policies will encourage
planners and conservationists to think on a wider, landscape scale –
channelling investment into bigger, better, more joined-up habitat for
wildlife. In short, the changes will mean the application of the law is
focused on the measures which are most effective at protecting
populations.
Forest Watch – tackling crime in Galloway’s forests
new partnership is working together to reduce
rural crime and anti-social behaviour within Galloway’s forests. Forest
Enterprise Scotland (FES), contractors and Police Scotland have teamed
up for the ‘Forest Watch’ initiative. The main aim of the initiative is
to continue the work that began earlier in the year to make the forests
a safe place to work and visit. FES staff and the many contractors who work in the
forest have been keeping a close eye on any suspicious activity and have
challenged it or reported it to the Police. Keith Muir, of Forest Enterprise Scotland said:
“Rural crime and anti-social behaviour affects many areas of the
countryside and our forests are no different. Over the years, both our
contractors and staff have been affected in one way or another – mainly
by theft or vandalism. Not only is this an obvious drain on resources,
it also has serious implications for the safety of people working in the
forest, especially as many contractors are working alone with heavy
machinery. We’ve met with the contractors and Police to increase
our efforts and develop better reporting of incidents and activities
that are suspicious. We would of course ask the public to also be our
eyes and ears and report any unusual activity to the Police.”
Walkers give £84.7 million boost to Welsh coastal economy
– Welsh Government on the Welsh coast spent £84.7 million in 2014,
supporting 1,000 jobs, according to a new report. The report also found
that 43.4 million day visits to the Welsh coast included walking as an
activity.
Bearded tits reach record numbers -
RSPB
The bearded tit – one of Britain’s rarest breeding
birds – has continued to bounce back from a population crash to the
highest numbers recorded in the UK, according to the latest survey.
Juvenile
bearded tit in reedbed (image: Graham Catley, RSPB) The Rare Breeding Birds in the UK report,
published by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel, revealed that the bearded
tit population has increased from 618 pairs in 2013 to 772 pairs in 2014
– the highest number since monitoring of bearded tits began in 1995. The
record population is made even more remarkable by the population crash
that occurred in 2011. Bearded tits are very sensitive to cold hard
winters and this can have a knock on effect on their breeding success –
the 2011 survey revealed the population had declined by nearly half to
only 360 pairs after a disastrously cold December the previous year.
This is the third year in a row that numbers have increased and it is
hoped that the work to improve and create more habitat for them across
RSPB nature reserves will allow bearded tit numbers to continue to grow
into a more stable population. Dr Mark Eaton, RSPB Conservation Scientist and
Chairman of the Rare Breeding Bird Panel, said: “It is always special to
see bearded tits dancing and diving about the reedbeds on a crisp
winter’s morning – such a charismatic bird. Unfortunately they are very
sensitive to the hard winter weather and there was a big dip in numbers
after a particular harsh weather in 2010. But when they have a good
breeding season, like in recent years, they can produce lots of young so
numbers can bounce back rapidly. As the population can fluctuate year on
year it’s vital that we continue to manage the reedbeds they call home
to give them the best chance of thriving.”
Pesticides are damaging bumblebees’ vibes
– University of Stirling Bumblebees' ability to produce the buzzing – or
vibration – that enables them to pollinate key commercial food crops may
be harmed by the controversial pesticides neonicotinoids, according to
new research from the University of Stirling. The preliminary findings of the study – which
examined a type of pollination unique to bees known as 'buzz
pollination' – will be presented at the British Ecological Society's
annual meeting in Liverpool this week.
In standard forms of pollination, bees collect
pollen by simply brushing it off plants' anthers. But buzz pollinated
plants – including crops such as tomatoes, potatoes and aubergines –
guard their pollen inside the anther and release it through small pores
in the tip. According to Dr Penelope Whitehorn of the
University of Stirling, who led the study: “Bees produce a vibration –
or buzz – to shake pollen out of the anther like a pepper pot. The bee
lands on a flower, curls her body around the anther and grips the base
with her mandibles. She then rapidly contracts the flight muscles to
produce the vibration, without beating her wings.” The results of the study reveal that learning is
key to buzz pollination, and that the more bumblebees practice, the more
pollen they collect over time. The study also showed that bumblebees fed
field-relevant doses of neonicotinoid thiamethoxam did not collect more
pollen over time, suggesting the insecticide was affecting their ability
to learn. “The study adds to the now large body of evidence
from lab and field-based studies that neonicotinoids reduce learning and
memory in bees, impair their communication, foraging efficiency and
immune systems and, crucially, reduce their reproductive success as well
as the pollination services that they can provide. “These chemicals do
have serious implications for wild bee populations in agricultural
landscapes but some, notably from the agrochemical industry, still
promote their use,” Dr Whitehorn warns.
Fish migration in North East beck for first time in 150 years
– Environment Agency Wear Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency have
worked together to make fish migration easier on County Durham beck. After several years of work to remove barriers to
migratory fish, the first fish in over 150 years have been seen moving
freely up the Brancepeth Beck in County Durham. The Wear Rivers Trust has been working in
partnership with Brancepeth Castle, Brancepeth Estate and Brancepeth
Castle Golf Club on a project funded by the Environment Agency to modify
structures such as culverts, weirs and bridge abutments in the
Brancepeth Beck which were proving to be a barrier to migrating fish. Volunteers have also been monitoring various sites
along the Brancepeth Beck during the last two months and have confirmed
that fish have now been seen to be using the fish passes. It is hoped
that fish populations will now increase along the Brancepeth Beck
catchment as more fish are able to reach their spawning grounds.
Four
new marine protected areas welcomed for NI's seas
– Ulster Wildlife Trust The Northern Ireland Marine Task Force (NIMTF), a coalition of ten
environmental organisations including Ulster Wildlife, today (Tuesday 13
December) welcomed the designation of four new Marine Conservation Zones
(MCZs) for our seas. The new areas have been designated to strengthen and protect
vulnerable marine wildlife and habitats, including black guillemots on
Rathlin Island, one of Ireland’s largest seagrass meadows in Waterfoot,
220-year-old clams in Belfast Lough and a fragile community of sea pens
(a type of soft coral) in Carlingford Lough.
Black guillemot © Christine Cassidy This now brings Northern Ireland up to five Marine Conservation Zones
including Strangford Lough, which was the first area to be designated in
2013. Speaking today, Rebecca Hunter NI Marine Task Force Officer said: “We
are delighted to see the value of our seas recognised and protected
within these areas. Northern Ireland is home to some of Europe’s most
important marine wildlife and habitats. Marine Conservation Zones
provide a real opportunity for the recovery of our seas and with
effective management, previously damaged habitats and wildlife can
recover. But, we need more of them to fill the gaps - this is only the
start of the process.
Intercropping can support greener farming, Hutton ecologists say
– James Hutton Institute Planting peas and other legumes alongside cereal crops could help
make farming greener, ecologists at the James Hutton Institute say. Intercropping, as it's known, could cut greenhouse gas emissions by
reducing dependence on fertiliser, as well as boosting biodiversity,
food security and opening up new markets for local food and drinks
businesses. At the British Ecological Society's annual meeting in Liverpool, Dr
Pietro Iannetta of the James Hutton Institute discussed his research on
intercropping. This includes producing impressive crop yields without artificial
nitrogen fertiliser – and inventing new ways of brewing and distilling
with beans.
In crop trials, Dr Iannetta grew peas and barley together. Despite
sowing the intercropped barley and peas each at a 50% rate and using no
artificial nitrogen, he found that total yield exceeded that of barley
grown alone. Nitrogen is essential for good crop yields, and cereals are usually
grown with added man-made nitrogen at around 110 kg N per hectare. But
artificial nitrogen comes from fossil fuels, so has a high carbon
footprint. Emissions could be reduced by 420,000 tonnes CO2 equivalent if the
2016 UK spring barley cropped area (682,000 ha) were to be grown without
artificial nitrogen – similar to planting over 420,000 trees a year. This is because peas and other legumes fix their own nitrogen. And
when grown with other crops such as barley, the peas supply the cereal's
nitrogen needs. Agriculture contributes around 15% of greenhouse gas emissions, so
finding new ways to curb this contribution to climate change is
important. Farming also needs to diversify by growing a wider range of crops and
develop new markets for local, sustainable food and drinks. Western agriculture depends on a narrow range of crops, including
wheat, barley and potatoes. By adding more legumes to the mix,
intercropping would boost diversity, making farming more resilient as
well as less dependent on fossil fuels.
Early signs of recovery for Scotland’s seabirds
– Scottish Natural Heritage Seabird numbers in Scotland continue to show encouraging signs
according to new statistics published today (Wednesday 14 December) by
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Seabird numbers in Scotland have been falling since the early 1990s
and by 2015 the number of seabirds breeding around our coasts was half
of the 1986 level, when the UK Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP) first
started. However, 2015 was a relatively successful year for producing
chicks. The latest report shows that the decline has slowed and numbers
may have stabilised over the past four years. SNH is working on several projects to help combat some of the
pressures on seabirds. These include identifying Special Protection
Areas (SPAs) to protect important foraging and breeding sites for birds,
and the control of predators, such as brown rats and American mink,
along our coast and on our islands.
Bumper acorn crop helps native woodlands Around 1.2 million acorns have been collected in Galloway Forest Park
as part of a project to expand and link native Ancient Oakwoods which
will create semi natural habitats from the hill tops to the coast. The project involves restoring Protected Ancient Woodlands sites and
linking the woodlands through forest restructuring via natural
regeneration and planting of local provenance native species. Acorns (image: Forestry Commission Scotland) Oakwood is the dominate native woodland type in Galloway ranging from
fertile Lowland Oakwood sites along the coast and the Cree Valley to
less fertile Upland Oakwood sites around Loch Trool. However the acorn crop in Galloway is very unpredictable and
unproductive which means the expansion of native Oakwood is incredibly
difficult to predict and manage. In 2013 it was rumoured to be a good
seed production year but collections in Galloway amounted to a little
over 6kg, producing around 1,800 saplings for planting with no
collections in 2014 and 2015 due to very poor seed production years.
During the late summer the team in Galloway noticed the potential for
a rare seed production year in the Galloway Oakwoods. Gareth Ventress, Environment Forest in Galloway Forest District,
said: “On inspection during the early autumn we noticed that we were in
for a bumper acorn crop and the Environment and Forest Management teams
began planning acorn collections.
Natural England Chief Scientist’s report 2015 to 2016
– Natural England Corporate Report Find out how Natural England’s recent scientific
work contributes to a better understanding of the natural world and ways
to protect it. The report shows the depth and breadth of Natural
England’s science and evidence work in terrestrial and marine
environments through 45 articles covering:
The science behind Natural England: Chief Scientist’s Report 2015-16
– Natural England blog Dr Tim Hill, Chief Scientist at Natural England,
tells us about the publication of Natural England’s first Chief
Scientist’s Report, why we have put it together and what you can read
between the covers. By: Department for Environment, Food & Rural
Affairs Seeking views on plans to update the Environment
Impact Assessment Regulations in the UK. We want to know what you think about our proposals
to amend EIA regulations on forestry, agriculture, water resources, land
drainage and marine works. These changes, agreed in 2014, will make the
EIA regulations work more efficiently, focusing more on where
environmental protection is really needed. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) means
checking if work (eg construction) will harm the environment and
agreeing what needs to be done to avoid environmental damage. This consultation closes on 30 January 2017
12:00am
Bats and Licensing: A report on the success of maternity roost
compensation measures This project looked at a sample of cases where SNH
has licensed the damage or destruction, under licence, of bat maternity
roosts for development purposes. In each such instance the licence
requires that measures are incorporated into the final development to
compensate for this damage or loss. The success or otherwise of these
features, including whether or not bats used these features was
assessed. Factors affecting the likelihood of success are discussed. Download the report (pdf)
Plans for Canal College sail closer –
Heritage Lottery Fund Innovative employability programme secures HLF
investment. Scottish Waterways Trust has been awarded a grant
of up to £1.125million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards
Canal College, a major skills and employability programme centred on
three of the nation’s historic canals, it was announced today. Created by Scotland’s only national waterways
charity, Scottish Waterways Trust, and developed in partnership with
Scottish Canals, Archaeology Scotland and Developing Nation, canal
college is a unique outdoor employability programme designed to help
address youth unemployment by teaching practical heritage and
environment skills to disadvantaged 16-30 year olds. The charity aims to reach twice as many young
people (360 participants) as the first, successful canal college
programme by extending the age criteria and the number of locations
where it will be offered to Falkirk, Inverness and West Dunbartonshire.
Between 2013 and 2015 canal college helped 162 young people facing
significant barriers in their lives with 72% moving into work, further
education, training or volunteering on completion. Scottish
Waterways Trust is now actively seeking further match funding to deliver
the £1.4m programme. Once the additional funding is in place, it is
hoped that canal college will open in early 2017 and run until 2020. Learning through practical projects in the unique
outdoor environment of Scotland’s canals, volunteers will be offered the
opportunity to receive first-hand experience of working on some of the
nation’s most valuable heritage assets, gaining a vibrant range of new
and transferable skills. Members of the wider community will also
be invited to become volunteer mentors on the 14 week programmes,
contributing their own skills and life learning to help participants
learn about the built, cultural and natural heritage of the canals,
whilst improving their own confidence and employability prospects.
Innovative cutting machine makes Cambus Pools reserve better for
wildlife – Scottish Wildlife Trust An innovative amphibious machine has been used to
cut through a dense jungle of reeds to bring important wetland habitats
back to life at Cambus Pools Wildlife Reserve near Alloa.
The
Truxor 5050 cutting machine is made in Sweden and was operated
by Derrick Emms from the Sustainable Water Company Ltd. The work has
exposed a network of open water, mud and swamp, which will make the
reserve better for wildlife. Derrick Emms operating the
Truxor5050 at Cambus Pools (© Scottish Wildlife Trust) Reserves Manager Rory Sandison said: “Over the past fifteen years dense reeds have choked a once open wetland on the banks of the Upper Forth. We’re now working to push back the reeds to create a diverse mosaic of habitats that is buzzing with life. We have already seen kingfishers, grey wagtails, curlews, goldfinches and many more birds coming back to the reserve The next stage will be to bring in some of the Trust’s rare breed Shetland cattle to graze on the reserve. This will help to slow the regrowth of the reeds and maintain the more open habitats.”
Scotland's land
– Scottish Government World-leading vision for land rights and
responsibilities takes shape. People can have their say on the shape of the
future of ownership, management and use of land and buildings in
Scotland. The Scottish Government is today opening a
consultation on the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement, which
will underpin a range of Scottish Government strategies related to land
rights and responsibilities. It will support a commitment to build a fairer
society in Scotland and promote environmental sustainability, economic
prosperity and social justice. The statement is also likely to have a significant
impact on the work of the new Scottish Land Commission which becomes
operational in April. Cabinet Secretary for Land Reform Roseanna
Cunningham said: “The Land and Rights and Responsibilities Statement is
a world-leading undertaking, which will be central to the Government’s
commitment to long-term land reform." Further details about the consultation here.
TB strategy ahead of schedule as England set to apply for officially
TB-free status for half the country Government's strategy to tackle bovine TB
continues to deliver results England is set to apply for Officially TB-Free
(OTF) status for more than half of the country next year - two years
ahead of schedule - as the Government’s strategy to tackle
bovine TB (bTB) continues to deliver results. Dealing with Bovine TB in England costs taxpayers
over £100 million a year, required the culling of 28,000 cattle in 2015
and causes devastation and distress for rural communities. Gaining OTF
status for the low risk area, covering the north and east of England,
would boost trade opportunities and mean some herds require less regular
TB testing, reducing costs for farmers. This would be the first time anywhere in England
has enjoyed this status, making beef exports from the UK more attractive
for trade partners around the world. Achieving this status for the low
risk area is a key step in the government’s 25-year plan for the whole
of the UK to be TB-free by 2038. Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: Gaining
global recognition that more than half of England is TB-free will be a
significant milestone in our long-term plan to eradicate this
devastating disease, and will open up new trading opportunities for
farmers. We have much still to do in the worst affected parts of the
country, but this shows that our strategy - combining practical
biosecurity measures, a robust cattle movement and testing regime, and
badger control in areas where the disease is rife - is right and is
working."
Results published today (16/12/16) confirm all ten licensed
badger control operations achieved successful outcomes. A
consultation opens today on next steps for badger control in areas that
have completed the first four years of intensive culling. This will mean
the disease reduction benefits we anticipate are prolonged for many
years to come. Bovine TB: supplementary badger disease control – defra Open consultation Seeking views on proposals to introduce a
supplementary licence for farmers to continue badger disease control
measures after a licensed cull. We want to know what you think about our plans to
license badger disease control measures after a licensed cull. The
licence would apply to control measures used after a licensed cull has
been completed over at least 4 years. These changes will prolong the disease control
benefits achieved by a culling operation in the longer term. The
proposal is part of the government’s
TB Strategy to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (TB) in England. consultation closes: 10 February 2017
Scientific publications
Host status of wild roe deer in bovine tuberculosis endemic areas.
Lambert, S., Hars, J., Réveillaud, E. et al. Eur J Wildl Res (2017) 63:
15. doi:10.1007/s10344-016-1071-4 Horswill, C., O’Brien, S. H & Robinson R. A. (2016)
Density dependence and marine bird populations: are wind farm
assessments precautionary? Journal of Applied Ecology.
DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12841
Myczko, Ł., Dylewski, Ł., Sparks, T. H.,
Łochyński, M. and Tryjanowski, P. (2017),
Co-occurrence of birds and bats in natural nest-holes. Ibis, 159:
235–237. doi:10.1111/ibi.12434 Alessandra La Notte, Dalia D’Amato, Hanna Mäkinen,
Maria Luisa Paracchini, Camino Liquete, Benis Egoh, Davide Geneletti,
Neville D. Crossman,
Ecosystem services classification: A systems ecology perspective of the
cascade framework, Ecological Indicators, Volume 74, March 2017,
Pages 392-402, ISSN 1470-160X, DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.11.030.
Woodroffe, R., Donnelly, C.A., Ham, C. et al.
Use
of farm buildings by wild badgers: implications for the transmission of
bovine tuberculosis Eur J Wildl Res (2017) 63: 6.
doi:10.1007/s10344-016-1065-2
Çağlar Akçay, Ádám Z. Lendvai, Mark Stanback, Mark Haussmann, Ignacio T. Moore, Fran Bonier. Strategic adjustment of parental care in tree swallows: life-history trade-offs and the role of glucocorticoids R. Soc. open sci. 2016 3 160740; DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160740. Ostaizka Aizpurua, Antton Alberdi, Joxerra Aihartza, Inazio Garin. Fishing Technique of Long-Fingered Bats Was Developed from a Primary Reaction to Disappearing Target Stimuli.PLOS ONE; 11 (12: e0167164DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0167164
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