Introduction
What is biodiversity? Put simply, biodiversity means the wealth of
wildlife - the variety of life on earth.
Many people today have heard that wildlife and wildlife habitats
are under threat. ‘A Biodiversity Action Plan for Northamptonshire’ aims to
plot a course to reverse these trends and inform the reader of the issues,
habitats and species that require attention. The purpose is to encourage the
involvement of a wide range of people and organisations from all sectors- not
just environmentalists. The specific actions that need to be taken are detailed
and targets and priorities are set.
To make the process successful everybody needs to be involved - specialist and non- specialist alike.
Without a partnership approach we will continue to lose wildlife habitats and
species. If we work together we can make a difference and sustain a
Northamptonshire richer in wildlife for the benefit of future generations.
This document sets the scene, identifies
the issues and sets out how, by working together, we can conserve and enhance
Northamptonshire’s Biodiversity.
In June 1992, at the 'Earth Summit' in Rio, the United Kingdom
government and over 150 other countries signed the Convention on Biological
Diversity.
Article 2 of the Convention defines biological diversity as:
"The variability among living
organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic
ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes
diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems".
The Convention on Biological Diversity is essentially a commitment
to conserving and sustaining the variety of life on earth. The Convention
states that Contracting Parties shall:
"Rehabilitate and restore degraded
ecosystems and promote the recovery of threatened species through the
development and implementation of Plans or other strategies".
The UK response to this commitment was launched in January 1994 with
"Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan". At the launch the Prime Minister
announced that a national Biodiversity Steering Group would be formed to
further develop the ideas. This Group reported in December 1995 and their
recommendations were accepted by Government in May 1996. The report contained
guidance on the production of Local Biodiversity Action Plans.
The UK Action Plan recognises that "biodiversity is ultimately lost or conserved at the local
level". Local Action Plans are therefore an essential part of the
process and complement the National Action Plan. They are also a way of
achieving national targets at a local level.
The purpose of Local Biodiversity Action Plans is to focus
resources to conserve and enhance biodiversity by means of local partnerships,
taking account of national and local priorities. It has been agreed that they
should be seen as providing the biodiversity element of Local Agenda 21.
Local Action Plans should:
·
include targets that reflect the values of
local people.
·
be based on the range of local conditions.
·
cater for local distinctiveness.
A Local Biodiversity Action Plan is both a product and a process.
Not only does it identify where action needs to be taken to implement targets
for habitats and species, but it also specifies appropriate mechanisms. Such
Plans have a key role in monitoring progress of the conservation of
biodiversity in the long term.
‘A Biodiversity Action Plan for Northamptonshire’ covers the
present county of Northamptonshire. However, it is important to link the work
that is taking place in Northamptonshire with the Biodiversity Action Plans in
neighbouring counties. Wildlife does not stop at the county boundary. The
Natural Area concept (See Fig. 1) offers a framework for achieving the
integration of Action Plans and for the translation of national targets from
the UK Biodiversity Action Plan into appropriate local targets.
Fig 1. Natural Areas in Northamptonshire
Why We Should Conserve Biodiversity
Stewardship
·
Humans exercise a determinative power over
other creatures. With this dominion comes responsibility.
·
Species that have evolved over many thousands
of years may be lost very quickly and cannot be replaced. This may result from
natural extinctions, but human impact has accelerated this loss dramatically.
Biodiversity cannot be regained overnight, in some cases it may never be
regained.
Benefit to Society
·
Natural processes help to protect our planet.
For example floodplains act as natural release valves for rivers in flood; the
diversity of vegetation on mud flats and sand dunes reduces coastal erosion;
woods and hedges act as wind breaks; upland vegetation binds the soil and
lessens erosion and beds of seaweed reduce wave erosion.
·
Wetlands act as natural filters for surface
waters and are being used for wastewater treatment.
·
There is considerable uncertainty about the
value of species, for example some plants promise potential cures for different
forms of cancer. Since our knowledge is so limited, it makes sense to preserve
as many species as possible.
·
A rich environment is important to human health
from both the physical and psychological aspects.
·
The wealth of habitats and species is a prime
indicator of the health of the planet.
Economic Value
·
Recent advances in biotechnology have pointed
to the potential use of genetic material contained in plants, animals and
micro-organisms for agricultural, forestry, health and environmental purposes.
·
To maintain the productivity of our crops, we
depend on there being a reservoir of wild relatives, and a pool of genetic
material that we can go back to in order to reinforce our selection.
Moral and Aesthetic
·
We should conserve species and habitats because
they enrich our lives.
·
We should hand on to the next generation an
environment no less rich than the one we ourselves inherited.
·
The culture of a nation is closely allied to
its landscapes and wildlife. Poets, painters, writers and composers have been
inspired by the nature around them.
·
A culture that encourages respect for wildlife
and landscapes also encourages respect for individuals and for human life.
·
Much of the countryside in the UK is of great
beauty and is a focus for recreation and tourism; e.g. our National Parks
receive well over fifty million visits each year. Research indicates that
whilst overseas visitors are attracted by our history and culture they visit
here as much for our varied landscapes.
Without the intervention of people Northamptonshire would now be a
largely wooded county, with substantial areas of wetland along the river
valleys, together with areas of rough grassland. However, this is not the case
as people have radically altered the landscape. Although much of the county
lies upon boulder clay, some areas are drier and more easily drained. People
were able to clear these areas of woodland and convert the land to grassland
and crop fields. The woodlands only remained in quantity in those places where
the effort involved in clearing and converting the land to agriculture was too
great.
People have had an equally dramatic effect on the wetlands. River
valley meadows originated largely in the late Saxon period when the expansion
of arable cultivation caused soil erosion and this resulted in major changes in
the river systems. Later, the extensive draining of the fens paved the way for
agricultural schemes that transformed the eastern part of the county. In more
recent times, the water authorities have carried out extensive engineering
works in the river valleys to reduce the risk of flooding - meandering rivers
have been straightened and much of the riverine vegetation has been
obliterated. The river valleys, especially the Nene, have also been altered by
sand and gravel extraction. This has created many large water-filled gravel
pits at the expense of the wet meadows which once flanked the river.
In other parts of the county quarrying has also altered the
landscape. Large areas around Corby were once rich in ironstone that has been
extracted for processing at the former steelworks. This created long, narrow
quarries known as gullets. Vast areas were mined. Many of these quarries have
been restored to farmland, although a few ironstone gullets still remain.
Northamptonshire has undergone a massive transformation as a result
of changes in agriculture and the Enclosure Acts. Prior to these Acts farmland
was mostly unenclosed - there were few hedges and therefore no small field
networks, apart from areas of anciently enclosed land in the west of the county
and in the vicinity of settlements.
Today, the wildlife of the county comprises those plants and
animals that have managed to survive these changes on small tracts of
unimproved ground or have taken advantage of the new landscapes.
Wetlands
There are two main types of wetland in the county, those that have
recently been created and those of more ancient origin. All have been affected
to a greater or lesser extent by changes in water quality, particularly
nutrient enrichment, and quantity.
Key Statistic
The Environment Agency manages 542km*1 of Main River in
the River Nene catchment, 5km*2 of which is designated as SSSI.
Sources: *1 Environment Agency and *2 English
Nature.
Many rivers, the largest of these being the
Nene and the Welland, cross the county. In the past these rivers would have
meandered along their floodplains forming ox-bow lakes and flooding over
hundreds of hectares during spates. Although the rivers have been profoundly
influenced by human activities many stretches are still of local nature
conservation value.
Key Statistic
739 hectares of wet grassland and marsh* in Northamptonshire are
considered to be of wildlife importance.
* The combined area of Sites of Special Scientific Interest *1
and County Wildlife Sites*2. Sources: *1 English Nature
and *2 Wildlife Trust.
Alongside many of the rivers occasional wet meadows and marshes can
be found. These are now extremely rare; on the Nene less than half a dozen high
quality wet meadows and marshes have survived drainage, agricultural
improvement or gravel extraction.
Key Statistic
400 hectares of reservoirs and gravel pits in Northamptonshire are
designated as SSSI.
Source: English Nature
The other types of wetland habitats are of recent origin and have
been created by humans. These are the gravel pits, the reservoirs and the
canals. These wetlands are very attractive to wildlife, especially wildfowl.
Pitsford Reservoir, which was created in the 1950s, regularly attracts 3000
wildfowl during the winter months making it the county's most important site
for birds.
Similarly, gravel pits can also be excellent for wildlife,
attracting large numbers of migrating, wintering and breeding birds. The shores
of gravel pits, especially in their early stages of development, and adjacent
rough grassland are very attractive breeding grounds and feeding areas for
wading birds.
Woodlands
Key Statistic
There are around 11,800 hectares of woodland in Northamptonshire,
covering about 5% of the county.
Source: Forestry Commission.
The native woodlands of Northamptonshire contain ash, field maple,
hazel and oak. Those woodlands whose origin predates 1600AD are known as
Ancient Woodlands.
Key Statistic
2,634 hectares of Ancient Woodland remain in Northamptonshire. This
covers just over 1% of the county or 20% of the total woodland area.
Source: The Ancient Woodland Inventory (English Nature).
The remainder of the woodlands are plantations of either
broad-leaved trees or conifers. Ancient Woodlands are our richest wildlife
habitats and support a more diverse flora and fauna than more recent
plantations.
Meadows and Pastures
Key Statistic
There are just over 60,000 hectares* of grassland in
Northamptonshire, the vast majority of which is not of wildlife importance.
* Source: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The vast majority of the grassland has been intensively farmed,
re-seeded and fertilised and as a result is of little value to wildlife. Only a
limited number of wildflowers, their associated butterflies and other animals,
can survive under such conditions; the boundary features such as hedges and
ditches have become increasingly important for these species.
Grasslands must be managed each year if they are to survive. Lack
of management may result in the development of rank vegetation and eventually
leads to scrub invasion. Traditionally these grasslands would have supported
small flocks of sheep, herds of cattle or have been cut for hay. Unless these
management practices are kept up, the wildlife interest will disappear.
Unfortunately agricultural economics do not currently favour such practices and
more intensive methods, such as the production of silage or conversion to
cereals crops, occur.
Key Statistic
Less than 290 hectares * of calcareous grassland in
Northamptonshire are considered to be of wildlife importance.
* The combined area of Sites of Special Scientific Interest *1
and County Wildlife Sites*2. Sources: *1 English Nature
and *2 Wildlife Trust.
Key Statistic
114 hectares* of acid grassland in Northamptonshire are considered
to be of wildlife importance.
* The combined area of Sites of Special Scientific Interest *1
and County Wildlife Sites*2. Sources: *1 English Nature
and *2 Wildlife Trust.
Key Statistic
545 hectares* of dry neutral grassland in Northamptonshire are
considered to be of wildlife importance.
* The combined area of Sites of Special Scientific Interest *1
and County Wildlife Sites*2. Sources: *1 English Nature
and *2 Wildlife Trust.
Quarries and Gullets
As a result of ironstone and limestone extraction in the past the
county possesses a number of disused quarries and gullets. Since extraction has
ceased these have been abandoned and over the years they have naturally
re-vegetated. These quarries are sheltered and the soils extremely poor in
nutrients - a situation which is ideal for many wild plants and associated
invertebrates. Some of these quarries are now 40 years old and the vegetation
is well established.
Key Statistic
46 hectares of quarries and gullets in Northamptonshire are
designated as SSSI.
Railway cuttings and embankments (many now disused) have also
created similar habitats. The cuttings and embankments are now largely
undisturbed and as a result are often rich in wildlife. However, the threat of
scrub invasion is high as few sites are actually managed.
Heathland
There were once a number of areas of heathland in the county
supporting heather and other acid-loving plants. As the soils on which heath
grows are generally free draining many have been ploughed or planted with
conifers. The few remaining sites are now scattered around the county and are
usually neglected and suffering from invasion by rank vegetation and scrub.
Key Statistic
Less than 5 hectares* of heathland in Northamptonshire are
considered to be of wildlife importance.
* The combined area of Sites of Special Scientific Interest *1
and County Wildlife Sites*2. Sources: *1 English Nature
and *2 Wildlife Trust.
Losing Habitats
Changing agricultural, forestry and river-management practices,
urban expansion, road development, mineral extraction, pollution, water
abstraction and climate change have had a dramatic effect on the
Northamptonshire countryside. There has been a steady decline in the areas that
can be defined as semi-natural habitats. Those areas that have survived are
often small and have a fragmented distribution.
The changes in extent of woodlands and grasslands during the 20th
century exemplify the trend.
Key Statistic
In Northamptonshire only 5% of the countryside can be described as
semi-natural habitat.
Source: The Wildlife Trust
Key Statistic
Since 1947 over 64% of Northamptonshire's Ancient Woodlands have
been lost.
Source: The Wildlife Trust
Key Statistic
Between the mid 1980s and the mid 1990s around 10% of the surviving
wildlife-rich meadows have disappeared.
Source: The Wildlife Trust
Key Statistic
Since 1900 more than 99% of neutral grassland of wildlife
importance has been destroyed.
Source: The Wildlife Trust
Today English Nature has only been able to find 155 hectares of
neutral grassland worthy of designation as Sites of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI). These sites include hay meadows and pastures that lie on neutral soils.
This is less than 0.25% of what existed 100 years ago. Not only is the area of
wildlife-rich neutral grassland pitifully small, but also the average size of
each site is only 8 hectares.
Calcareous grasslands are naturally much rarer in the county as a
result of the geology. They have suffered a similar fate to neutral grasslands,
with a substantial area being ploughed and converted to cereal crops. Today
only three such sites in the county are notified as SSSIs, totalling only 17
hectares.
Losing Species
The loss of wildlife habitats is resulting in an unacceptable
decline in the plants and animals that depend on them.
Key Statistics
94 species of plant, 8 species of lichen, 3 species of mammal, 14
species of bird, 16 species of butterfly, 13 species of moth and 3 species of
grasshopper became extinct in Northamptonshire during the 20th
Century.
* Source: The Northamptonshire Red Data Book (Wildlife Trust)
Conclusions
It is clear that many habitat types are now reduced to tiny
fragments. It is therefore vital that the few surviving areas of semi-natural
wildlife habitat are conserved. It is also important that the abundance of
common species and habitats should not decrease. Efforts should be made to
increase the whole resource through habitat creation schemes and the extent and
status of wildlife habitats and species should be monitored to identify future
change.
All the work involved with implementing ‘A Biodiversity Action Plan
for Northamptonshire’, whether for habitats or species, will encompass similar
elements. The following four themes are the key essential ingredients which, if
combined, will lead to successful projects.
Theme One - Keeping Track Of Wildlife
A good, current knowledge of where wildlife and wildlife sites
occur is vital if any meaningful and strategic attempt is to be made to
conserve and enhance biodiversity. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan acknowledges
this and recommends that resources are allocated to ensure that data collection
as well as site and species monitoring occurs.
In Northamptonshire we now have a good base level of information on
sites - specifically Sites of Special Scientific Interest and County Wildlife
Sites. Information on species is more disparate and, where it exists, it is
held by a wide variety of individuals. This makes accessing the data difficult
and very time-consuming.
There is a clear need in Northamptonshire to set up a Local
Biological Records Centre so that all this disparate information can be brought
together into one place where it can then be accessed by all. Northamptonshire
is one of very few counties in the country that does not have a Biological
Records Centre. Elsewhere they tend to be run or substantially supported by
local authorities. A National Biodiversity Network (NBN) has established
currently being established with the support of the DETR and Heritage Lottery
funding.
Key Action
Establish a Local Biological Records Centre for Northamptonshire
In addition to collating all the current information there will be
a need to ensure that data sets are kept up to date and, where necessary,
expanded. Monitoring of sites and species is vitally important in conserving
our wildlife resource. The partnership approach already adopted in
Northamptonshire should provide a fruitful way of achieving this in the future.
Theme Two - Keeping Wildlife on the Map
Much of the conservation effort over the past 30 years or so has
been devoted to saving areas that have an acknowledged wildlife interest. In
many cases sites have been designated either as statutory Sites of Special
Scientific Interest or as non-statutory County Wildlife Sites. This process has
proved relatively successful in conserving sites from detrimental development proposals,
but has been less successful at countering land use changes, particularly those
associated with agricultural or forestry schemes. Many of these sites also
suffer from a lack of appropriate management, although the Countryside and
Rights of Way Act 2001 seeks to improve the condition of Sites of Special
Scientific Interest.
In addition, considerable effort has also gone into acquiring sites
and managing them as nature reserves. There are now around 50 nature reserves
in the county totalling some 680 hectares. Many thousands of hectares are also
managed sympathetically for wildlife through schemes such as Pocket Parks run
by Northamptonshire County Council, and Countryside Stewardship which is run by
the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Key Statistics
Less than 1.1% of Northamptonshire is designated as Site of Special
Scientific Interest, the second lowest county area in England. The average area
per county is 6.8%.
Source: English Nature
English Nature has found only 2,450 hectares of habitat in
Northamptonshire worth notifying as Sites of Special Scientific Interest - this
represents less than 1.1% of the county (See Fig. 2). Only Warwickshire has a
smaller area of SSSI compared to the size of the county. By comparison Cumbria
has 159,902 hectares of SSSI representing 11.95% of the county. The average
area per county of SSSI in England is 6.8%.
If the implementation of ‘A Biodiversity Action Plan for
Northamptonshire’ is to be successful then it will be vital to ensure that the
special areas are conserved and managed for wildlife for future generations. It
is also important that wildlife is widespread through the county and not just
in small pockets. Therefore, the conservation of the existing resource will not
be sufficient to secure a future for the county’s biodiversity given the
current patterns of habitat and species loss.
Fig 2. Percentage of County Area Designated as SSSI
(English Nature)
Theme Three - Putting Wildlife Back on
the Map
One of the key aims of ‘A Biodiversity Action Plan for
Northamptonshire’ must be to restore degraded wildlife habitats and create new
areas for wildlife as well as conserving those places that already exist. There
will need to be a consensus between all the partners - targets and priorities
for achievement will need to be set. In addition guidance must be produced to
ensure that projects are carried out to a high ecological standard.
There is also the opportunity to explore whether it might be
possible to create a huge new nature reserve in the county where natural
processes are allowed to occur. Such a project would be very challenging to
achieve, but, if successful, would undoubtedly produce a nature reserve of
international importance, as well as a major visitor attraction for people from
all over the country.
In certain situations there may be a strong case to argue that a
scarce or extinct species should be re-introduced into suitable habitat. We
have already seen in the county that the re-introduction of the otter has been
successful in assisting the species to recolonise its former haunts and Red
Kites are now a familiar site in the skies over the Rockingham Forest.
Theme Four - People and Wildlife - The
Northamptonshire Plan Partnership
In keeping with Local Agenda 21 (LA21), the formulation of ‘A
Biodiversity Action Plan for Northamptonshire’ has not been undertaken by a
single organisation. The Plan Partnership was established at the outset to
encourage the development of a shared vision and to ensure that all
participants are committed to the implementation of the Plan.
The Northamptonshire Nature Conservation and Landscape Forum has
taken the lead role in establishing the partnership and working on the Local
Biodiversity Action Plan. The Forum consists of all the Local Authorities,
English Nature, the Countryside Commission and various voluntary organisations
such as the Wildlife Trust, the Rockingham Forest Trust, the British Trust for
Conservation Volunteers, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.
The Northamptonshire Environmental Forum actively encourages public
participation in the LA21 process. To ensure that the Plan is linked with the
LA21 process in the county, the Forum’s Countryside, Recreation and Heritage
Topic Group has contributed to its development. Membership of this group is
very wide-ranging, including local councils (officers and members), local
environmental groups, business and industry, educationalists, the farming and
landowning community, religious groups, walkers, sporting interests, disability
groups, women’s groups and individuals with a keen environmental interest and
concern.
The consultation draft of this plan was commented upon by numerous
local organisations and individual specialists, resulting in a number of
improvements in content and accuracy. The process of debate and consultation on
the production of ‘A Biodiversity Action Plan for Northamptonshire’ has ensured
the involvement and support of a wide spectrum of the community.
Conserving biodiversity is as much about people as it is about
wildlife. If biodiversity is to be conserved then all sectors of the community
should have the opportunity to be involved, not only in the implementation of
projects, but also in the design of them. There is a need to build on the
existing partnership at a local level so that the process can be developed
further and to ensure that targets are met.
It is important that ‘A Biodiversity Action Plan for
Northamptonshire’ has a wide circulation. Delivering the biodiversity targets
will require concerted effort from central and local government, statutory
organisations, business, land managers, non-governmental organisations and
individual members of the public.