Sheffield, England Biodiversity Action Plan

Type: Policy
Status: Adopted in 2002
Source File: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/EasySite/lib/serveDocument.asp?doc=27294&pgid=47045
Text:
INTRODUCTION
Background
Biological diversity (or biodiversity)
encompasses the whole variety of life on
Earth, from the commonplace to the critically
endangered, including all species of
plants and animals, their genetic variation,
and the complex ecosystems that they form
a part of. The United Kingdom was one of
150 signatories to the Convention on Biological
Diversity, at the "Earth Summit" in
Rio de Janeiro in 1992, demonstrating the
UK's commitment to helping to halt the current
global loss of animal and plant species
and genetic resources.
On a global scale, biodiversity is an
essential component of all our lives
because it provides the support systems
that sustain us, maintaining supplies of air,
water, food and clothing, and providing
spiritual benefits. Locally, biodiversity gives
distinctive character to an area, and in
towns and cities wildlife habitats can contribute
significantly to the quality of our
lives.
The UK has lost over 100 species of
plants and animals during the last century,
and many more habitats and species are
threatened with extinction, especially at a
local level. In Sheffield, many species and
habitats that were once common have now
vanished or are declining rapidly.
Following on from the Biodiversity Convention,
the UK Biodiversity Steering Group
produced a National Biodiversity Action
Plan, which included costed targets for the
most threatened and declining species and
habitats. The Steering Group also promoted
Local Biodiversity Action Plans as a
means of implementing the national Plan.
Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPS)
translate national targets for species and
habitats into effective action at the local
level, and also identify appropriate targets
for the local area, reflecting the values of
local people. LBAPs aim to meet their targets
by raising local people's awareness of
the need for biodiversity conservation, and
by focusing available resources for the conservation
and enhancement of biodiversity
through the development of long-term local
partnerships.
The Sheffield LBAP
Sheffield has responded to the challenge
issued by national government, and has
produced a Local Biodiversity Action Plan
for Sheffield, covering all parts of the district
except those that lie within the Peak
District National Park. The Sheffield
LBAP Area covers approximately 22,200
hectares, and encompasses a large natural
resource of intersecting green
spaces, comprising a wide range of habitats
and species.
The Sheffield Biodiversity Steering
Group was set up in November 1997,
with a membership including representatives
from Sheffield City Council, English
Nature, Sheffield Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire
Wildlife Trust, Sorby Natural History Society,
Sheffield Bird Study Group, and local
conservation groups. The Steering Group
meets regularly to review progress and
move the plan forward.
An audit of the biodiversity of Sheffield
has been produced as an essential first
step in the LBAP process. The Sheffield
Biodiversity Audit identifies those species
and habitats listed in the National Biodiversity
Action Plan that actually occur in
Sheffield, and also identifies those that
are of local importance. The Audit
describes their local conservation status,
and highlights those habitats and species
that require individual action plans. This
work has relied heavily on volunteer
input, particularly from the recorders of
Sorby Natural History Society and the
Sheffield Bird Study Group, and from volunteers
at the Sheffield Ecology Unit.
The second stage in the Sheffield
LBAP process has been the production
of individual Species Action Plans and
Habitat Action Plans. This has again
been carried out mainly on a voluntary
basis. Local experts gave assistance on
each particular species and habitat. It
was decided that the individual Plans
should be produced in separate groups
or tranches, rather than waiting until all
the Plans had been finished before starting
to implement the work. This
publication is the first group of Action
Plans, and comprises six Habitat Action
Plans and four Species Action Plans.
The first group of Action Plans
The first group of the Sheffield LBAP's individual Species and Habitat Action Plans comprises the following:
Species Action Plans
:Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus
:Pipistrelle Bat Pipistrellus spp.
:Skylark Alauda arvensis
:Water Vole Arvicola terrestris
Habitat Action Plans
:Ancient and Species-rich Hedgerows
:Floodplain Grazing Marsh
:Gardens and Allotments
:Upland and Lowland Heathland
:Urban Common
:Ancient Woodland
Future Plans
Further Species Action Plans will include
Otter, Badger, a general Bat Action Plan
to cover other bat species found in
Sheffield, Birds in Buildings (to cover
swift, swallow and house martin), Grass
Snake, and White-clawed Crayfish.
Other SAPs may also include Corn
Bunting, Grey Partridge, Linnet, Nightjar,
Pied Flycatcher, Reed Bunting, Song
Thrush, Tree Sparrow, Woodlark, Common
Toad, Palmate Newt, and Adder.
Later Habitat Action Plans will include
Unimproved Grasslands, Fens and
Reedbeds, Scrub, Rivers and Streams,
Standing Water, Wet Ditches, Canals,
Wetland Habitats, and Linear Features.
Category:Biodiversity
Category:City Governments
Category:England
Category:Policies
Category:United Kingdom