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Headlines from week beginning 17 September 2018 |
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A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
Organic farming methods favour pollinators
Photo: Kennet Ruona Organic farming is known to promote pollinator diversity in crop
fields. However, it has also been suggested that organic fields might
simply attract pollinators from other habitats in the landscape, and
therefore not sustain their populations in the long run.
Major report finds law is failing to control damaging vehicle tracks in
Scotland’s finest landscapes – Scottish
Environment Link Environment charities unite to call for stronger oversight of ‘out of
control’ tracks Scottish Environment LINK Hilltracks sub-group has today (Tues 18
Sept) published its Changing Tracks report – following three years of
gathering evidence into whether planning legislation is effectively
managing the development of the highly-visible tracks. The group argues that the proliferation of controversial upland
tracks is ‘out of control’ and is calling for permitted development
rights for ‘agricultural’ tracks to be withdrawn as part of the new
Planning Bill now being considered at Holyrood. Currently, no planning permission is required if tracks are claimed
to be for agricultural purposes, yet Changing Tracks finds evidence that
many are almost certainly built mainly to support field sports, such as
deer stalking and grouse shooting – which aren’t classed as agriculture. Helen Todd, co-convenor of LINK Hilltracks group and Ramblers
Scotland’s campaigns and policy manager, said: “This major new report
makes a compelling case for removing permitted development rights for
agricultural tracks – to improve local democracy and help safeguard our
most precious landscapes for future generations.”
High tech system promotes wildlife around Devon and Cornwall roads
– Highways England Images from space and computer wizardry help Highways England develop
a ground breaking approach
Images from space and computer wizardry have helped Highways England
develop a ground breaking approach to promoting wildlife habitat along
trunk roads in Devon and Cornwall. Satellite photos and earth observation techniques have been combined
with Highways England wildlife data in a software system that can
predict areas where biodiversity schemes will pack the biggest punch. And the system is proving so successful it has been nominated for an
environmental award from CIRIA Big Diversity Challenge. Highways England’s ecologist, Leo Gubert, explained: “It sounds
complicated but essentially the software crunches our data on habitats
and species together with information on the surrounding landscape to
find the best locations for habitat creation and enhancement schemes as
well as landscape management projects. We look at the populations and
habitat connectivity for wildlife such as dormice, bats, endangered
butterflies and also species of plants that are of conservation priority
and then decide which schemes to prioritise.” The system has been used to deliver a vast woodland and hedgerow
connectivity scheme at 21 sites along the A30 and A38 in Devon and
Cornwall with 10,000 native trees and shrubs filling or reducing gaps in
hedgerow and woodland along the roadside. In total the planting has
connected over 105 miles of habitat on the verges and wider landscape
adjacent to the roads.
Surviving plants and insects are tougher than we think
– Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Insect pollinators that have survived the impacts of agricultural
intensification may have a greater ability to resist future
environmental changes than previously thought, a new study has found. Pollination by insects, particularly bees, is vital to food
production and humans because it affects the yield or quality of 75% of
globally important crop types, but in recent years there has been
increasing concern about the long-term stability of this service due to
widespread declines in some species. Despite the negative impacts of agricultural intensification on
plants and insect pollinators, researchers at Centre for Ecology &
Hydrology and the University of Reading found the species that remain in
parts of the UK with a higher proportion of farmed land are more likely
to survive a variety of potential environmental changes. However, the research, published in the Ecology Letters journal, suggested that was because these landscapes have already lost their most vulnerable species, retaining those insect and plant species that are more able to take whatever is thrown at them.
The nocturnal pollinators: scientists reveal the secret life of moths
– University of York
Elephant
Hawkmoth with Greater Butterfly Orchid pollen on its eyes. Image credit:
John Bebbington A joint study from the Universities of York, Newcastle and Hull
suggests moths have an important but overlooked ecological role –
dispensing pollen over large distances under the cover of darkness. The team of scientists, working with collaborators from Butterfly
Conservation and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, observed moths at a
farm in East Yorkshire, using a new method of pollen detection called
DNA metabarcoding to identify the different types of pollen they
carried. New insight The study revealed that moths supplement the day-time work of bees
and other pollinating insects, suggesting that plants with the capacity
to be pollinated by both moths and bees may be at an advantage. Lead author Dr
Callum Macgregor, from the University of York’s
Department of Biology,
said: “Using cutting-edge techniques to distinguish between different
pollen types allowed us to gain new insight into the species of plants
which are important nectar resources for moths – and therefore might
benefit from pollination after dark. Over half of the plant species we
detected were not previously known to be visited by moths. It was
particularly interesting that moths were carrying pollen from many of
the same plant species that are visited by bees, hoverflies and
butterflies.”
Globally endangered Large Blue butterfly enjoys best numbers for 80
years -
National Trust
Upper side of a female Large Blue butterfly
(image: National Trust / David Simcox) The exquisite Large Blue Butterfly – officially recognised as having
died out in the UK in 1979 – has become synonymous with Collard Hill,
Somerset since being reintroduced in 2000. And this year, thanks to three consecutive years of optimal weather
conditions and important conservation work by the National Trust,
Somerset Wildlife Trust, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and Butterfly
Conservation and the Royal Entomological Society, numbers have hit a
record high. The butterfly – which contrary to its name, is actually relatively
small in size – was recorded at 40 sites across the country in June and
July with three key nature reserves, two in Somerset and one in the
Cotswolds, found to support 85 per cent of the UK population. Its population is believed to have doubled in the last year alone at
Collard Hill in Somerset, cared for by the National Trust, with this
17.4 hectare (43 acre) site providing the perfect habitat and conditions
to support 22 per cent of the UK’s population. Creating the ideal habitat for the Large Blue at Collard Hill has
been achieved by planting wild thyme plants and introducing ponies and
cattle to carefully graze the site with help from the Trust’s tenant
grazier, to manage growth. Ian Clemmett, Lead Ranger for the National Trust’s
Somerset Coast and Countryside said: “By working with our grazier we’ve
been able to introduce tailor made management of the land. The
livestock carefully graze the hill in the autumn and early spring, which
isn’t always easy to achieve, punctuated with a fallow period in summer
that allows insects to thrive and plants to flower. Breeding was
initially confined to one corner of Collard but has now increased
five-fold. The grazing regime also helped to provide optimal conditions
for the red ant Myrmica sabuleti which is vital for the
butterfly’s survival.”
Wales is the first country to have a complete B Lines map
- Buglife
Today the wildlife charity is launching the new Wales B-Lines map
which provides a solution to our declining pollinators. Dowrog Common (image: © Steven Falk via
Buglife) Bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other pollinators are a vitally
important part of our wildlife and essential to people. It is
estimated that 84% of our crops benefit from insect pollination along
with approximately 80% of wildflowers. Strawberries, apples, pumpkins,
peas and oilseed rape all depend on insect pollinators. However, many of our pollinators are in serious decline, the numbers
of threatened species are rising, and the sheer abundance of insects in
our countryside is in sharp decline. One of the key reasons for
this is the loss of wildflowers from our countryside on which our
pollinators depend. The Wales B-Lines Map identifies opportunities for restoring and
connecting habitats such as meadows, heathlands and ffridd, linking
existing wildlife areas to create a wildflower-rich network across our
countryside and through our towns and cities. Buglife has been working with local authorities, wildlife charities,
local record centres, AONBs, National Parks and others to map B-Lines
across the whole of Wales. The South and West Wales B-Lines were
mapped in 2016 and thanks to funding from the Welsh Government, and with
additional support from the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent we have
now completed mapping of the B-Lines network across Mid and North Wales
too.
Numbers of Britain’s loudest bird reach record high
- RSPB Britain’s loudest bird – which was on the brink of extinction in
Britain 20 years ago – has enjoyed its best year since records began,
according to a new survey by the RSPB. Since 2006, there has been a year-on-year increase in the number of
bitterns making their home in Britain. This year numbers reached record
levels once more with 188 males recorded at 82 sites. This compares to
164 at 71 sites in 2017, a positive sign that bitterns are back from the
brink and thriving in Britain. With their well camouflaged, pale, buffy-brown plumage, bitterns are
highly secretive birds that spend most of their time hiding in dense
stands of reed. They had completely disappeared in Britain by the 1870s,
before recolonising early in the 20th Century. However, they found
themselves back on the brink in 1997 when numbers dropped to 11 males. Simon Wotton, RSPB Senior Conservation Scientist, said: “We count
bitterns by listening for their distinctive booming call, and every year
more and more bitterns are making newly created or restored wetlands
their home and to raise young. The recovery of this elusive bird is a
remarkable conservation success and shows what can be achieved through
targeted efforts to restore and create more of their favoured habitat.
To go from being on the brink of extinction to having close to 200
booming males in 20 years – at a time when many other species are in
decline – highlights how effective this project has been.”
Why do we love bees but hate wasps? –
University College London Both bees and wasps are two of humanity’s most ecologically and
economically important organisms. They both pollinate our flowers and
crops, but wasps also regulate populations of crop pests and insects
that carry human diseases.
For the study, published today in Ecological Entomology and funded by
the Natural Environment Research Council and the European Commission
through the Marie Curie fellowship, 748 members of the public from 46
countries were surveyed (70% of respondents were from the UK) on their
perceptions of insects, including bees and wasps. (image: University College London) Responses revealed that wasps are indeed universally disliked by the
public and this is most likely due to a low-level interest in nature and
a lack of knowledge about the benefits wasps bring to our planet’s
health and function. How much research is being done to better understand these
misunderstood creatures was also investigated. The team found that wasps
are an unpopular choice of insect for researchers to study which likely
compounds their negative image as little effort is being made to
comprehend and communicate their positive role in the ecosystem.
Forest butterfly survey provides hidden surprise
- Forestry Commission Scotland Proposals to reintroduce a population of rare and endangered
butterflies to the Trossachs have been shelved - after preparatory
survey work this year found a ‘secret’ population!
The Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly, which is now very rare in
England and Wales, but more widely found in the north of Scotland, was
thought to be locally extinct in the Trossachs. With only one butterfly
having been seen in the area over ten years ago, Forest Enterprise
Scotland (FES) was working with Butterfly Conservation Scotland, RSPB,
Woodland Trust Scotland & CLEAR Services to explore the possibility of a
reintroduction programme. Paul Maplebeck of Butterfly Conservation Scotland said; “As part of
the preparation for a possible Pearl-bordered Fritillary reintroduction,
a team of volunteers was recruited to carry out a large-scale survey to
visit the sites that were most suitable for the butterflies. Ideal
habitat consists of sunny, south facing slopes with well drained soils
and light woodland cover. Cutting edge scientific modelling was used to
predict where these might be found - and it worked! You can imagine our
surprise and delight when the surveys revealed that FES sites within the
Great Trossachs Forest NNR housed a secret population. At least 45
butterflies were recorded at ten different locations in May this year.”
No time to lose: forestry sector launches plan to work together to adapt
to climate change - Royal Forestry Society Actions to address significant gaps in forestry policy, research and
practice are necessary to deal with the unprecedented pace and scale of
environmental change, say forestry organisations launching a new action
plan today at APF, the UK's largest forestry show. Climate change is threatening the health of trees and woods and
requires a co-ordinated response to help them adapt and become resilient
to its current and projected impacts. The Forestry Climate Change
Working Group (FCCWG) – public and private organisations representing
the 35 signatories to the 2015 Forestry Climate Change Accord - have
identified 13 priority actions and pledged to work together on them over
the next five years. The Action plan for climate change adaptation of forests, woods and
trees in England address major gaps in current forestry policy, research
and practice. The 13 priority actions are the result of a rigorous
process of consultation carried out over the last three years, and are
consistent with Defra’s Tree Health Resilience Strategy published
earlier this year. The plan also recognises that, in the face of climate change, many
traditional forest and woodland management practices need to be revised.
Some of the gaps identified include: lack of woodland management by
owners; insufficient diversity of planting stock from nurseries; limited
uptake of silvicultural practices which limit risk; and, the need for
better education and information.
A new vision for forestry - Forestry
Commission Scotland Views are being sought on a new draft Forestry Strategy for Scotland
which aims to make the most of precious forestry resources and help
cement the country’s reputation as a responsible global citizen. The draft strategy, once finalised in 2019, will act as a 10 year framework for action, concentrating on three key areas:
The draft consultation will be open online until 29 November 2018.
Take part in the consultation here.
Plastic pollution hitchhiking into the skies inside flying insects
- University of Reading Plastic has found a previously unknown pathway to pollute the
environment and enter the food chain, scientists have discovered. A new study at the University of Reading found tiny fragments of
plastic are getting inside flying insects that lay their eggs in water,
as they are able to transfer from the larvae to the adult form. The scientists found that microplastics consumed by larvae crucially
remain in the mosquito through metamorphosis to a non-feeding pupa and
then adults. Flying insects like these are eaten by birds and bats,
providing a potential new pathway for plastics to enter the food chain.
Professor Amanda Callaghan, biological scientist at the University of
Reading and lead author, said: “Much recent attention has been given to
the plastics polluting our oceans, but this research reveals it is also
in our skies. “This is eye opening research, which has shown us for the first time
that microplastics are able to navigate several life stages in flying
insects, allowing them to contaminate all kinds of living creatures who
would not normally be exposed to them. It is a shocking reality that
plastic is contaminating almost every corner of the environment and its
ecosystems.” Read the paper (open access):
Al-Jaibachi, R., Cuthbert, R., Callaghan, A. (2018);
‘Up and away: ontogenic transference as a pathway for aerial dispersal
of microplastics.’; Biology Letters; doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0479
Unusual rescue of manx shearwater found in Newport
– RSPCA A manx shearwater has been rescued in Newport miles away from where
they are usually found after being blown off course. The islands of Skomer and Skokholm in Pembrokeshire have around 50%
of the UK’s Manx shearwater population – the largest known concentration
of the species in the world. In August and September the adults and
juveniles leave the islands to migrate thousands of miles away to the
coast of South America, but strong winds can blow them off course and
they can struggle on dry land. RSPCA inspector Christine McNeil said she was surprised to see a manx
shearwater in a garden in Langstone, Newport. “It is certainly not a
usual find in Newport,” she said. “Manx shearwaters are known to be
blown off course at this time of year and my colleagues in West Wales
are dealing with daily calls about them. But we don’t usually see the
seabirds in Newport. This one has been blown off course quite a way!" The RSPCA regularly receive calls at this time of the year about
troubled manx shearwaters with the charity already receiving calls to
respond to around 100 stranded seabirds with them being transferred to
wildlife centres as the storms have hit the area. There are around 40
manx shearwaters at RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre, with a further 20
expected on Thursday. After a short spell of rehabilitation 12 were
released on Wednesday.
Basking sharks can jump as high and as fast as great whites
- Trinity College Dublin A collaborative team of marine biologists has discovered that basking
sharks, hundreds of which are found off the shores of Ireland, Cornwall,
the Isle of Man and Scotland, can jump as fast and as high out of the
water as their cousins, the famously powerful and predatory great white
shark. Basking sharks are the second largest fish in the world, reaching
lengths of up to 10m (33ft). Until now, they have previously had a
reputation for being slow and languid as they scour the sea for their
staple diet of plankton.
However, a new study, recently published in leading international
journal Biology Letters used video analysis for both species and
estimated their vertical swimming speeds at the moment at which they
left the water. Furthermore, they attached a data recording device to
one large basking shark to measure its speed and movement, and also to
store video footage. At one point, in just over nine seconds, and with 10 beats of its
tail, the basking shark accelerated from a depth of 28 m to the surface
and broke through the water at nearly 90 degrees. The shark cleared the
water for one second, and its leap peaked at a height of 1.2 m above the
surface. Assistant Professor in Zoology at Trinity College Dublin, Dr Nick
Payne, was a co-author of the journal article. He said: “The impressive
turn of speed that we found basking sharks exhibit shows how much we are
yet to learn about marine animals – even the largest, most conspicuous
species have surprises in store, if we’re willing to look.”
Click through for video footage and Read the paper (open access):
Emmett M. Johnston, Lewis G. Halsey, Nicholas L. Payne, Alison A. Kock,
Gil Iosilevskii, Bren Whelan, Jonathan D. R. Houghton
Latent power of basking sharks revealed by exceptional breaching events
Biol. Lett. 2018 14 20180537; DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0537. Published
12 September 2018
Plastic pollution impact of UK’s summer heatwave: Thames bears the brunt
- Thames21 Thames21 and #OneLess plastic litter research suggests Londoners
switched from fizzy drinks to still water as a result of the extremely
hot weather, highlighting the increasing need for free water refill
points in the city September 20 2018, London: London’s largest plastic waste monitoring
event, the annual Big Bottle Count, saw more than 100 volunteers count
and remove the plastic bottles from the Thames yesterday in the biggest
action of the programme so far. 3,249 bottles were counted and removed at 18 sites along the Thames
(see map attached) as part of the ongoing investigation into the impact
of single-use plastic bottles on the capital’s iconic river, organised
by waterway charity Thames21 and the #OneLess campaign to reduce
single-use water bottle consumption in London. Londoners have removed a total of 36,667 plastic bottles from the
Thames in the past year alone, once the latest count is included. In
addition to the annual Big Count, volunteers count and remove bottles
from key sites throughout the year as part of the ongoing plastic
monitoring programme run by Thames21 and #OneLess. ’In the wake of the BBC’s Blue Planet Londoners are engaging with the
plastic issue like never before,’ said Alice Hall, one of the
programme’s coordinators. ‘They’re concerned about plastic impacts on
the Thames, its wildlife and the wider ocean. And we’re seeing
Londoners’ massive clean-up efforts starting to have an impact. But
people want the problem tackled at source. We need more refill points
and fountains, alongside increased effective recycling.’
Deputy First Minister encourages action for EUROPARC Youth Manifesto The EUROPARC Youth Manifesto was launched today (Friday 21 September)
to over 400 delegates at EUROPARC 2018 in Aviemore. Deputy First
Minister, John Swinney addressed the conference and supported the call
for the protected areas in Europe to take action. Young people are keen to be involved in the decision making processes
when it comes to sustaining the rural landscape. All summer young people
from across Europe have been working together to put together their
vision on the most important aspects of living, learning and working in
protected areas and rural communities and this Manifesto offers
practical ways for change. John Swinney, Deputy First Minister said: “It is fantastic to see the
Cairngorms National Park Authority taking forward the EUROPARC Youth
Manifesto by establishing a Youth Council for the National Park, with
support from the Cairngorms LEADER programme. Laura Peters is the Youth+ Representative on the EUROPARC Council.
She explained: “Young people just want to be heard and entrusted to help
protect and conserve their local environments. We want to be involved in
helping to make thriving, sustainable communities with training and job
opportunities so that we can remain in our local areas and not lose
touch with our cultural heritage. This Manifesto must be the catalyst to
making that happen in Scotland and across Europe.” The Youth Manifesto can be viewed
here.
NRW confirms position on shooting - Natural
Resources Wales Natural Resources Wales (NRW) will not renew leases on its land for
pheasant shooting rights when they come to an end in March 2019 as part
of its final position statement on the use of firearms on land it
manages. The statement, agreed today (21 September) by NRW Board Members, will
make sure that firearms are used for the right reasons, in the right
circumstances and in the best way possible. In reaching its conclusions, the Board considered the Welsh
Government’s position, as the landowner, that it does not support
pheasant shooting, the breeding of gamebirds or the birds being kept in
holding pens on the Welsh Government Woodland Estate. NRW Board Members agreed that NRW will:
The review had been carried out to assess firearms use against NRW’s
role and purpose, to manage Wales’ natural resources in a sustainable
way. The Board had previously agreed an evidence- based set of
recommendations regarding the use of firearms on the land it manages.
The Board today agreed that NRW would consider applications for
permission to carry out control of wild species using firearms on the
land it manages and that applications for firearms use for other
pursuits such as clay pigeon/ target shooting would be considered on a
case by case basis.
Response:
BASC statement on decision by NRW to ban shooting on public land BASC is astounded that the position of Natural Resources Wales (NRW),
an evidence-based organisation, can be changed by the radical
petitioning of extremist groups. Today’s decision strikes at the very
credibility of NRW. The Environment Minister for Wales, Hannah Blythyn AM, has pandered
to animal rights extremists and has then imposed their position onto
NRW, contrary to the evidence produced by a comprehensive review and
public consultation into the future of shooting on Welsh public land. This decision has serious implications for jobs and the environment
in Wales. It should be derided by every individual who believes in the
right of the individual to undertake lawful shooting. This is not just
an issue for Wales; it is an issue for the very future of shooting in
the UK. BASC will consider the long-term implications of today’s decision
before making further comment.
Scientific publications Mancini, F., Coghill, G. M. & Lusseau, D. (2018)
Quantifying wildlife watchers’ preferences to investigate the overlap
between recreational and conservation value of natural areas.
Journal of Applied Ecology doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13274
Baker, R., Scott, D.M., Keeling, C. et al.
Overwinter survival and post-release movements of translocated water
voles: implications for current mitigation guidance Eur J Wildl Res
(2018) 64: 56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-018-1216-8 |
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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. |
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Pollinating insects are endangered globally, with a particularly
steep decline over the last 40 years. An extensive 3-year study from
Lund University
in Sweden has found that organic farming methods can contribute to
halting the pollinator decline. This beneficial effect is due to both
the absence of insecticides and a higher provision of flower resources.
Two
very sleepy dormice (Highways England)%20(John%20Bebbington)%20505.jpg)
Scientists have discovered that moths may play a much broader role as
plant pollinators than previously suspected.
A
previously extinct butterfly has had its best summer on record with the
south west of England recognised as having the highest numbers anywhere
in the world.-Steven-Falk-BL.jpg)
Buglife
Cymru’s Welsh B-Lines initiative will help our bees and other
pollinating insects by restoring and connecting wildflower-rich areas
across the country.
“It’s
clear we have a very different emotional connection to wasps than to
bees – we have lived in harmony with bees for a very long time,
domesticating some species, but human-wasp interactions are often
unpleasant as they ruin picnics and nest in our homes,” explained study
author, Dr Seirian Sumner (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment).
“Despite this, we need to actively overhaul the negative image of wasps
to protect the ecological benefits they bring to our planet. They are
facing a similar decline to bees and that is something the world can’t
afford.”
(image:
Forestry Commission Scotland)
Microplastic
particles visible (bright green) in the abdomen of the adult mosquito
under a microscope (image: University of Reading)
Breaching
basking shark. (image: ©Youen Jacob via Trinity College)
