|
New Book is published - "Beyond Conservation: a wildland
strategy" by Peter Taylor
Read the article by Peter Marren in The Independent
newspaper, 22nd August, on this new book -
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/environment/article307413.ece
Peter Taylor's new book is available to buy now. A
link to an order form is given below. Here are two comments about the
book:
'Peter
Taylor builds bridges between ecology, countryside policy and
spirituality ....This book is novel in its breadth, and offers a sharp
challenge to conventional thinking in conservation' (Bill Adams,
University of Cambridge).
'This
is a vitally important and much needed book, which shows the way forward
for a renewed and positive relationship between people and wild Nature
in Britain. Lucidly and authoritatively covering topics ranging from the
ecological role of our country's missing mammals to the healing power of
natural forests, and drawing upon the work of practical projects already
underway, Peter Taylor articulates an inspiring vision of a possible
future Britain, replete with large core areas of wild, natural
ecosystems. The book offers a beacon of hope to all those who draw
spiritual sustenance from wild Nature, and is essential reading for
anyone seeking a positive alternative to the ongoing biological
depletion of our country' (Alan Featherstone, Trees for
Life).
After
decades of operating off-the-back-foot and protecting and conserving
nature perceived as under threat, conservationists are becoming
proactive and creative in the face of habitat loss, agricultural
intensification and climate change. After decades of operating
off-the-back-foot and protecting and conserving nature perceived as
under threat, conservationists are becoming proactive and creative in
the face of habitat loss, agricultural intensification and climate
change.
Beyond
Conservation offers a revolutionary agenda for both managing existing
wildlands in Britain and for expanding and connecting such lands.
Central to this strategy is the imperative to 'rewild' or restore and
repair damaged habitat and ecosystems, promote existing biodiversity and
reintroduce vanished plant and animal species, while working to
reconcile human needs and livelihoods and the needs of
nature.
Contents:
Introduction - Coed Eryri - Caledon - Dartmoor - The
Potential for Networks and Corridors - Restoring Ecological Processes:
Regeneration of the Core Vegetation - Restoring Ecological Processes:
The Herbivore Guild - Restoring Ecological Processes: Bringing Back the
Carnivores - The Healing Forest - The Land Inbetween: Wilding
Agriculture - Targeted Habitat Creation - Stepping Stones to a Wilder
Policy - Straight to the Heart: A Wildland Strategy - Bibliography,
Index
Further information and an order form for the book
can be downloaded from here (pdf -
160kb)
To contact the publisher - Jennifer Poole on 020 7387 8558 or
jpoole@earthscan.co.uk
New Planning Policy Statement aims to safeguard valuable habitat
Planning Policy Statement 9:
Biodiversity and Geological Conservation,
OPDM,
16 August 2005
In
launching this new policy statement Baroness Andrews, Planning Minister,
said:
"The planning
system has a vital role to play in ensuring the preservation of our
natural heritage for future generations to enjoy. As we deliver the
homes, green space and public services that are required for sustainable
communities, we must also protect the natural assets of the English
landscape for posterity.
“PPS9 will be a key
tool for delivering the Government's strategies for biodiversity and
sustainable development. It includes, for the first time, policies to
protect valuable habitats such as ancient woodland that are not already
covered by local or national designations."
The
key features of the policy are:
-
Local authorities
should maintain up to date information on the environmental
characteristics of their area, including identifying areas of ancient
woodland and other important habitats that are not already designated;
-
Plan policies
should aim to maintain, enhance, restore or add to biodiversity and
geological conservation interests. They should promote opportunities
for the incorporation of beneficial biodiversity or geological
features in and around new developments;
-
Planning decisions
should aim to prevent harm to biodiversity and geological interests.
Where significant harm cannot be prevented, adequately mitigated
against or compensated for, then planning permission should be
refused.
Extracted from OPDM
News Release 2005/0172.
PPS 9 can be
downloaded as a PDF (240kb)
here
Forestry Commission,
16th August 2005
Walkers in
England celebrated the permanent right to access 117,176 hectares of
forest and woodland. Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity Minister
Jim Knight launched the dedication of the Forestry Commission's public
forest estate in England for public open access at a ceremony at the
Moreton and Affpuddle Plantation. Jim Knight said:
"England's public woodlands are
there to be enjoyed, understood, valued and cared for by all of us. The
decision to dedicate almost all their freehold estate in England for
public access in perpetuity is commendable, and will give everyone the
right to freely explore our public forests on foot”.
The
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) gave a new right of access
to mapped open country and registered common land (full mapping will be
in place across England by 31 October 2005). Section 16 of the Act gives
freeholders and longlease holders the opportunity to voluntarily dedicate
their land for public access, subject to the same rules as mapped access
land.
The vast
majority of wood and forest land dedicated so far has been by the
Forestry Commission, with other contributions coming from a National
Park Authority, a college, several private landowners and a parish
council. This takes the total to around 165,000 hectares of forests and
woods for people to enjoy.
Extracted from Defra
news release 356/05 and FC news release No: 7914
Long term ecological
change in British woodland (1971-2001) -
EN, 11th August 2005
An ecological
woodland survey has
found that the number of plant species in 103 native woods across
England, Wales, and Scotland had declined by more than a third since
they were first surveyed in 1971. Characteristic woodland plants like
yellow archangel and sanicle fared worst, with 56 out of the 72 species
becoming significantly less common. Fifteen
species of tree and shrub also showed a decline in numbers, along with a
general fall in tree seedlings, though holly was
spreading in many woods.
Causes for the decline were:
-
Woods becoming more shady due to ageing
trees;
-
Increasing levels of nutrients in
woodland soils due to atmospheric pollution and agricultural
fertilisers, possibly accentuated by less acidic soils;
-
Grazing
pressure from deer had increased in lowland woods;
-
The effects of climate change, with each
species responding differently.
A number of
government policies and programmes were already in
place to deal with the problems behind the decline,
a key one being the new policy for ancient woodland in England
- Keepers of Time (see above). Measures to
address the decline are: management
to reduce overshading;
creating buffer strips around woods,
reducing the spread of nutrients into the wood
from adjacent farmland and increasing the
habitat available for woodland species;
reducing non-native trees; and controlling
livestock grazing in woodland.
The study was jointly commissioned by
Defra, English Nature, the Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish
Natural Heritage, the Forestry Commission, the Woodland Trust and the
Joint Nature Conservation Committee and conducted by the Centre for
Ecology and Hydrology.
Extracted from Defra news
353/05, 11 August 2005
The report
(1Mb PDF) is at
www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/publication/PDF/653.pdf
Natural
ways to control Highland deer
Deer Hunters - Society Guardian, 10 August 2005
More news on the
plans by Paul Lister to recreate the wild Highland ecology of his
Glen Alladale estate. The former hunting estate (23,000 acre) will
be replanted with native trees and the burgeoning deer population
controlled initially by a cull to reduce the 600 population by half.
It is hoped that the eventual re-introduction of wolves and other
native predators in the longer term will restore a natural balance
without the need for further culling.
Restoration of the
estate will begin on a small scale to explore the success of habitat
recovery. Red squirrel, wildcat, and boar will be reintroduced on a
1000 acre site, the aim eventually being to re-introduce these
and the wild grey wolf, lynx and brown bears
to the whole of the estate.
Since the entire
estate is intended to be ring fenced, there will be no release of
these animals into the wild. However, Lister is seeking the
co-operation of surrounding landowners to double the potential area
of wild reserve to 50,000 acres. He believes that area of land could
support two wolf packs (12-15 animals/pack), three pairs of lynx,
and up to 30 bears.
Extracted from the
article by Martin Hodgson in Society Guardian, Wednesday August 10
2005. The full article is at
http://society.guardian.co.uk/societyguardian/story/0,7843,1545554,00.html
| 