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Headlines from week beginning 29 July 2019 |
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A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
Public supports Michael Gove’s call for deposits on drinks cans and
bottles – CPRE Survey results show 72% of people support the introduction of a
UK-wide deposit return system Almost three-quarters (72%) of people would support a deposit return
system for plastic and glass drinks bottles and aluminium cans being
rolled out across the whole of the UK, according to a new survey
published today (27 July) by the Campaign to Protect Rural England
(CPRE). The survey results, demonstrating high levels of public support, have
been published following an announcement made last week by the former
Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, in which he gave his backing to an
‘all-in’ deposit return system that includes all drinks containers of
all materials and sizes. In his speech, Mr Gove said that he believed
‘an “all-in” model will give consumers the greatest possible incentive
to recycle’. CPRE welcomed the announcement made by Mr Gove and states that these
survey results are a clear indication that the public will support the
scheme, once introduced. The countryside charity is eager to see the new Environment
Secretary, Theresa Villiers, build on the work of her predecessor and
turn these warm words into a formal commitment from the government to
introduce a deposit return system that would put a stop to the
environmental damage caused by drinks containers. Maddy Haughton-Boakes, Litter Campaigner at CPRE, said: “It’s
absolutely fantastic that so many people have shown such high levels of
support for the scheme before it’s even been introduced. A deposit
return system will transform the way we deal with waste, boost recycling
and, as a result, finally put a stop to the harm that drinks containers
are causing our countryside, environment and wildlife. With Michael Gove
having thrown his weight behind a truly “all-in” deposit return system,
and with the Scottish government’s decision to introduce one earlier
this year, this latest wave of public support is surely all the evidence
needed for the government to get this over the line.”
Sea change in Scottish beach surveillance –
SRUC
Officially launched today (Saturday 27 July) to coincide with the
beginning of National Marine Week, the free Beach
Track app allows those taking a stroll on the sands to submit
information on beach cleanliness – including levels of litter, plastic
waste and pollution – and on any stranded animals, such as dolphins or
whales. The information will help to build up a ‘health map’ of Scotland's
coastline, potentially targeting beach cleans to areas which need it
most. The app has been developed by the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding
Scheme (SMASS), with additional funding from Scottish Natural Heritage. Working as a ‘digital assistant’, the app uses a mobile phone’s GPS
to record location, while the camera allows users to log anything found
on their survey. It will then ask questions about the type of beach and
for users to assess how much marine litter was seen. Ellie MacLennan from Inverness-based SMASS – part of Scotland’s Rural
College (SRUC) – said: “Including the islands, Scotland has more than
10,000 miles of coastline so, the more eyes we have on the ground, the
more data we can gather to help improve our understanding of health of
our waters and the threats facing marine animals. This, in turn, will
help all of us to better protect our seas.”
Record roadkill to help mammal conservation –
PTES Wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is
calling on volunteers across Britain to record sightings of mammals,
dead or alive, as part in its annual Mammals on Roads survey.
PTES is asking families going on summer holidays or day trips,
car-sharing commuters and anyone else using Britain’s roads, to record
sightings of mammals and submit the records via the free Mammals on
Roads app – available on both Apple and Android smartphones via Google
Play and the App Store. The data collected helps conservationists to see
changing population trends and most importantly, identify where
conservation action is needed most and for which species. David Wembridge, Mammal Surveys Coordinator, explains: “Mammals on
Roads began over 18 years ago, and though no-one likes seeing roadkill,
recording such sightings every year tells us how wild mammals are faring
in the surrounding landscape. For example, thanks to the many volunteers
who’ve submitted records over the last two decades we found out that
hedgehog numbers are plummeting. Now, we’re doing everything we can to
help this species, but we wouldn’t have known they were in trouble
without volunteers helping us.” With clear audio descriptions of each mammal, colourful illustrations
and easy-to-use navigation, the Mammals on Roads app couldn’t be simpler
to use. Set it running at the start of a journey and each sighting can
be recorded with a few clicks. The survey should of course only be done
by passengers. The wild mammals you’re more likely to spot from your vehicle include
hedgehogs, badgers, rabbits, foxes and deer, but there are dozens of
other mammals in Britain, so keep your eyes peeled for some of our
lesser seen wild neighbours too, such as stoats and otters.
Ambitions Launched to Doubling Nature Across Peterborough and
Cambridgeshire – Natural Cambridgeshire Natural Cambridgeshire, the local nature partnership, has today
(Monday 29 July) announced ambitious plans to doubling Nature with the
area of rich wildlife habitats and natural green space across
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with the aim of creating a world-class
environment where nature and people thrive, and businesses prosper. The ambition has been drawn up by the partnership, including local
authorities, statutory agencies, conservation charities, housing
developers and community groups. It was launched today by Tony Juniper,
Chair of Natural England and James Palmer, Mayor of the Cambridgeshire
and Peterborough Combined Authority, at separate events at Waterbeach
Barracks and O&H Hampton, both outstanding examples of how high-quality
housing development can deliver new areas of nature rich landscape. The Future of Doubling Nature within Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire currently has one of the smallest areas of any county
in the country, relative to size, of land managed for nature. Natural
Cambridgeshire wants to double that figure, from around 8% to 16% (which
is the national average) through a combination of: The delivery of
existing habitat restoration schemes; The opportunities provided by the
Combined Authority’s economic growth agenda; The planned re-focusing of
agricultural subsidies on the delivery of public services; Making our
current greenspaces better for nature; Creating new sources of
investment in our natural capital.
Back on the move – threatened sand dunes set for a dynamic future with
National Lottery funding – The Wildlife
Trusts A radical new approach to managing sand dunes that aims to reverse
over 100 years of decline has been given £4m funding from the National
Lottery.
David Tipling/2020VISION Sand dunes - the backdrop of many summer holidays - are being
smothered by invasive plants, destroying the habitats of some of our
most endangered species. Now, a pioneering partnership - Dynamic Dunescapes - backed by £4m
from the National Lottery is stepping in to save them by working with
people to bring life back to the dunes and get them thriving again –
reversing a decades old approach to dune management. Sand dunes are listed as the habitat most at risk in Europe. Since
1900, the UK’s sand dunes have declined by a third, climbing to nearly
two-thirds in Wales. They provide sanctuary for endangered plants and
animals with seventy priority species largely restricted to dune
habitats including the natterjack toad, dune gentian and sand lizard. Dunes are naturally mobile and need to be dynamic to be effective
ecosystems. However, previous management measures restricted public
access, and invasive species have prevented dunes from moving, causing
many to become static, sterile grassy hillocks. Thanks to National Lottery players, Natural England has teamed up
with the National Trust, Plantlife, The Wildlife Trusts and Natural
Resources Wales to combine their expertise and achieve a sustainable
future for sand dune landscapes working closely with landowners and
communities.
Major campaign launched to encourage the nation to ‘Love Water’
- Environment Agency The British public are being asked to help the country protect water
resources for future generations.
The British public are being asked to help the country protect water
resources for future generations as part of a major campaign launched
today by more than 40 environmental groups, charities, water companies
and regulators. Clean, healthy and readily available water is essential for health
and wellbeing, as well as economic growth, but as the climate emergency
and population growth put increasing pressure on the water environment,
the UK is facing hotter and drier summers and an increased risk of water
shortages. The UK already has less available water than most other European
countries and the average person uses a staggering 150 litres per day.
Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, gave a stark
warning earlier this year that the country is approaching the ‘jaws of
death’ as parts of England are at risk of running out of water within 25
years. The ‘Love Water’ campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of water and the role everyone plays in protecting it. It is the first time such a large group of partners have joined together to work with businesses and consumers to tackle issues such as pollution and wastage.
Sponge survey to understand health of marine habitat
- Natural Resources Wales Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has conducted an in-depth survey to
learn more about the health of one of Wales’ most unique wildlife
habitats. The Skomer marine conservation zone (MCZ) off the coast of
Pembrokeshire, is home to a wealth of marine wildlife and is an area
where NRW carries out large scale research and monitoring programmes. These aim to increase our knowledge and understanding of the marine
species and habitats found there. Many are conducted each year and involve taking photographs of the
same areas or individual animals so that changes can be identified. However, this year’s is an in-depth survey that requires staff to
take samples of sponges to be identified and catalogued. This kind of survey happens only once every four years and the health
and diversity of the sponges can help build a picture of how well the
whole habitat is doing. There are over 130 different types of sea sponge at the Skomer MCZ
and often new species are discovered during surveys just like this. At
least twelve previously undescribed species have been found there since
2003.
Plastic bag sales down 90% since introduction of 5p charge
- Defra New figures show sales of single-use bags by England's seven biggest
retailers continued to fall in 2018/19.
(image: Defra) Asda, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, The Co-operative
Group, Tesco and Waitrose sold 490 million fewer single-use plastic bags
in 2018/19 (549 million) – a drop of almost half on the previous year. The average person in England now buys just 10 bags a year from the
main supermarket retailers, compared with 140 bags in 2014 before the
charge was introduced. Welcoming today’s figures, Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers
said: “Our comprehensive action to slash plastic waste and leave our
environment in a better state continues to deliver results, with our 5p
charge reducing plastic bag sales by 90% in the big supermarkets.
No one wants to see the devastating impact plastic waste is having on
our precious wildlife. Today’s figures are a powerful demonstration that
we are collectively calling time on being a throwaway society.” The total single-use carrier bag sales reported by all large
retailers in 2018/2019 fell 37% to 1.11 billion compared with the
previous year.
Twenty-two hen harrier chicks fledged in Bowland
– RSPB The RSPB is delighted to announce that 22 hen harrier chicks have
fledged from five nests on the United Utilities Estate in Bowland. This is the second year in a row that hen harriers have nested
successfully at the East Lancashire site, after 13 chicks fledged from
three nests in 2018. Following six years of little or no consistent breeding success in
the Forest of Bowland, conservationists are now hopeful that this could
mark the start of the return of these rare and beautiful birds of prey
to an area once considered a stronghold for them in England. Hen harriers breed on hills and moors, and are best-known for the
male’s breath-taking courtship display known as skydancing. However,
they are on the verge of disappearing as a breeding bird in England
owing to ongoing illegal persecution associated with driven grouse
shooting. Scientific research published in March this year, based on
data from Natural England, showed that 72% of satellite-tagged hen
harriers were considered or confirmed to have been illegally killed, and
were 10 times more likely to die or disappear over grouse moor than any
other type of land use.
Call for support for world’s first basking shark marine protected area
Basking shark © Alexander Mustard, 2020VISION The Sea of the Hebrides Marine Protected Area (MPA) is one of four
MPAs that were proposed by the Scottish Government in June. Spanning an
area between the east coast of the Western Isles and the west coasts of
Skye, Mull and the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, it would be the world’s first
protected area for basking sharks. Large groups of basking sharks gather in the Hebrides from May to
October to feed on the plentiful plankton supported by the mixing of
nutrient-rich cold waters with warmer surface waters. Dr Sam Collin, Marine Planning Manager, Scottish Wildlife Trust
said: “Basking sharks are only in Scottish seas for around six months of
the year but it is vital that we do all we can to protect them from
harm. The proposed MPA is a welcome step forward for the conservation of
this threatened species, and adds to a growing network of protected
areas around Scotland.”
New studies will help drive protections for beetles
- Natural England Two new studies into groups of British beetles have been published by
Natural England to provide a better picture of the conservation status
of these insects.
Natural England has today (1 August) published the first
comprehensive reviews for two groups of beetles in Great Britain for
over two decades, offering a vital insight into what needs to be done to
protect dozens of species. The reviews paint a picture for 143 species of rove beetles and
longhorn beetle across England, Scotland and Wales, to help inform the
conservation needs of these species. The findings will help ecologists to protect beetles, which are an
important food source for many animals and also play a crucial role in
the natural world by recycling decaying organic matter. The reviews are also the first to apply the International Union for
Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List criteria for the assessment of
species threat status to these beetle groups, establishing the
conservation status of these ecologically important species against
international standards.
New campaign asks single-use plastic purchasers to ‘Donate Your Guilt’
- Marine Conservation Society MCS has today launched an impactful new campaign inviting people to
‘Donate Your Guilt’ when they slip up and buy single-use plastic items.
(image: Marine Conservation Society) The ads urge people to “Donate your Guilt” with a £3 text donation
which will be used to support MCS’s work in protecting our seas and
oceans and running the annual citizen science survey, the Great British
Beach Clean. The campaign isn’t designed to let people off the hook when they
forget their re-usable items, but to encourage a behavioural change.
Acting as a ‘swear box for the oceans’, MCS hopes that by making us
think through our purses and wallets that the campaign will be a
reminder not to buy single-use plastic every day if they can avoid it.
Study suggests economic growth benefits wildlife but growing human
populations do not - Zoological Society of
London and University College London Do the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals promote or limit
conservation? Analysis shows that while national-level economic growth and social
development - including more women in government - are associated with
more abundant wildlife, growing human populations are linked to wildlife
decline. In a world first, researchers at ZSL and UCL compared changes in bird
and mammal populations with socio-economic trends in low- and
lower-middle income countries over the past 20 years. Their results
suggest that national-level economic growth and more gender-balanced
governments enhance wildlife populations and provide support for linking
the UN’s human development and conservation targets. Researchers cross-referenced data from the Living Planet Index on 298
bird and mammal populations – recorded outside protected reserves - with
indicators of social, economic and political progress towards the SDGs
in 33 low- and lower-middle income countries obtained from the World
Bank. Their analysis, published today in the journal People and Nature,
found consistently positive relationships between economic growth and
wildlife abundance - so the richer the people, the safer the
biodiversity. Similar relationships were found for more gender-equal
societies, lower levels of government corruption and longer human
lifespans too. Lead author Judith Ament, PhD researcher at ZSL and UCL, said: “Our
study suggests that at a national level, it is possible to work towards
conservation and economic development at the same time and underlines
the need for further integration of sustainable development strategies.
We think this might be because as standards of living rise, people
become less dependent on local natural resources for income and food,
and environmental regulation becomes tighter. We are concerned that this
could lead to more importing however, the impact of which would fall on
wildlife elsewhere. This certainly merits further research.” Researchers also found that denser and faster-growing human
populations reduced wildlife numbers and that there is evidence for
national-level environmental benefits of urbanisation. Read full study (free to read for a limited
time):
High
numbers of whales and dolphins have been seen in Britain this week as
the 2019 National Whale and Dolphin Watch reaches its climax this
weekend! For over forty years, Sea Watch Foundation scientists as well as
volunteer observers all around the coast of the British Isles from
Shetland to the Isles of Scilly have been reporting sightings of whales,
dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) to inform Sea Watch’s huge database
of records. The scheme is one of the oldest and longest running citizen
science projects in the world. Anyone can take part in this flagship
summer event, the ‘National Whale and Dolphin Watch’, now in its 18th
year. Cetaceans can be found all around the coast of the UK and, already, there have been a record number of species spotted. At the time of writing, more than six hundred sightings of cetaceans (400 more than last year at this time) totalling 3,758 individual animals have been reported from Shetland down to South Devon and from the west coast of Wales to the Outer Hebrides.
Scotland has recorded the highest number of sightings, closely
followed by England then Wales. Around the Channel Islands, observers
reported 3 sightings, and there were also three reports from around the
Isle of Man. Four sightings were also recorded in Northern Ireland. Eight different species of cetacean (harbour porpoise, common
dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, white-beaked dolphin, Risso’s dolphin,
Atlantic white-sided dolphin, orca and minke whale) have been recorded
from 108 land locations and by 23 recommended boat operators until now
and with four more days still to go this number will certainly increase! Bottlenose dolphins are presently being sighted daily in New Quay
along the west coast of Wales, and off Chanonry Point in the Moray
Firth, but they have also been sighted off Littlehampton in Sussex, on
the coast of Durham and Northumberland, and in the Channel Islands to
name just a few other places.
It is expected that the number of records will rise as people find
time to enter their sightings and after they finish their watches which
have been organized in many different locations.
All the
verified sightings so far can be viewed on line where they are
updated as more reports come in. Read more about Sea Watch and the National
Whale and Dolphin Watch in this
CJS In Depth feature here.
Dumfries & Galloway biodiversity projects share £189k Nature fund cash
- Scottish Natural Heritage Two nature projects will share £189,000 to help save one of
Scotland’s most endangered animals and restore an almost vanished
habitat at sites in Dumfries & Galloway. The projects are among the
recipients of Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH’s) Biodiversity Challenge
Fund. Freshwater pearl mussel populations in the River Bladnoch Special
Area of Conservation (SAC) will benefit from more than £35 of £120k
awarded to a partnership of Fisheries Trusts: and the Borders Forest
Trust has been given almost £70k to restore a vanishing habitat to the
wild heart of southern Scotland.
The River Bladnoch catchment in Dumfries & Galloway supports our most
southerly reproducing population of this critically endangered species –
but it is small and very fragile. The Galloway Fisheries Trust will
carry out work to improve conditions for the mussels in its tributaries,
one of three sites covered by the project; the other two are in the
Highlands. Work will include planting more than 1700 native trees along
a 9km stretch of bank; 1.4km of fencing will be installed to exclude
grazing livestock; and boulders added to improve flow conditions and
instream habitat. Montane scrub is a rare habitat found just above the treeline on
hills, supporting a range of unusual plants and invertebrates and
providing important feeding areas for birds and mammals. In Scotland the
habitat has been severely impacted by grazing deer and sheep. The Borders Forest Trust will restore 50 hectares of montane scrub
across three sites in the Moffat Hills SAC, straddling Dumfries &
Galloway and the Scottish Borders. With help from a small army of
volunteers, 20,000 trees and shrubs will be planted and protected, with
an additional 200 bearberry plants helping to restore upland heath
habitat at Carrifran Wildwood. Scientific Publications Johnson, A. E., Sillett, T. S., Luther, D. , Herrmann, V. , Akre, T.
A. and McShea, W. J. (2019),
Effects of grassland management on overwintering bird communities.
Jour. Wild. Mgmt.. doi:10.1002/jwmg.21730 (open access) Shen, X. , Li, S. , McShea, W. J., Wang, D. , Yu, J. , Shi, X. ,
Dong, W. , Mi, X. and Ma, K. (2019),
Effectiveness of management zoning designed for flagship species in
protecting sympatric species. Conservation Biology.
doi:10.1111/cobi.13345
Verena Rösch, Malte Hoffmann, Ulrich Diehl, Martin H. Entling, The value
of newly created wood pastures for bird and grasshopper conservation,
Biological Conservation, Volume 237, 2019, Pages 493-503, ISSN
0006-3207, doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2019.07.036.
He, Y., Parrish, J. K., Rowe, S. & Jones, T. Evolving interest and sense of self in an environmental citizen science program. (open access) Ecology and Society DOI: 10.5751/ES-10956-240233
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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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Members
of the public can now play a vital role in helping marine scientists
gather data on animal strandings and the condition of Scotland’s
beaches.
A
wild rabbit. Credit Paul Bunyard
A
radical new approach to managing sand dunes that aims to reverse over
100 years of decline has been given £4m funding from the National
Lottery. 
(image:
Environment Agency)
Sales
of plastic bags by the seven biggest retailers in England have fallen by
90% since the 5p charge was introduced in 2015, new figures out today
[31 July] have shown.
The
Scottish Wildlife Trust and Marine Conservation Society are asking
people to show their support for basking sharks by responding to a
Scottish Government consultation.
Black-striped
longhorn beetle (Stenurella melanura)
Dreamt
up by creative agency BBH on a pro-bono basis and made possible by Ocean
Outdoor, the campaign will be visible in cities across the UK, with
billboards at Westfield London, Bullring Birmingham, as well as in
Manchester and Edinburgh and on social media. The striking imagery asks
passers-by if they’ve forgotten their reusable items and features
single-use plastic coffee cups and water bottles floating in water.
Mother
and calf pair of short-beaked common dolphins photographed off Falmouth,
Cornwall, on July 28th. (Photo credit: Billy Heaney / AK
Wildlife Cruises)
Freshwater
pearl mussels - Credit Sue Scott-SNH
