Biodiversity and landscape

By Anna Dekker
NBS Technical Author

The world is losing biodiversity at an increasing rate due to human activity causing fragmentation of habitat and destruction of ecosystems. These losses are irreversible, and harm the life support systems we depend on. Humans, being part of this biodiversity network, have the power to protect or destroy species, habitats and whole ecosystems. Safeguarding biodiversity by, for example, maintaining a patchwork of green spaces and ponds in gardens and the public domain has a cumulative benefit to wildlife.

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the variety of living things and the natural environments that support them. Further definitions of biological diversity can be found on www.biodiv.be/glossary_keywords/B/biological_diversity.

Bee collecting nectar. Bee populations which are in decline are variously protected through legislation including the Bees Act 1980 and are cited in the Biodiversity Action Plan UK list of priority species. Photo: Anna Dekker

To coincide with the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, declared by the United Nations, a new NBS Landscape work section, Q05 - Biodiversity and environmental conservation, has been written. This section can be used to list all the systems comprising the biodiversity elements of a landscape project, serving as a high-level outline specification or a scope statement relating to:

• Biodiversity
• Habitat protection, creation and management
• Species introduction and protection.

Invasive species (in particular non-native species) are the second biggest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss. The rate at which new plant invasions are happening is accelerating, due to factors such as increasingly mobile human populations, traded resources and climate change, all making it easier for plants to reach new areas. Japanese knotweed is a well know threat in the UK and DEFRA has recently granted approval for Aphalara itadori, an insect from Japan, to be released for the biological control of this invasive plant. This is a milestone decision for the UK and Europe, which will set a precedent for biological control of other alien species such as floating pennywort and giant hogweed.

Japanese knotweed. Controlled in the United Kingdom, it is illegal to plant or to cause these plants to grow in the wild, and soil contaminated with the plant must be disposed of in an authorised landfill site. Photo: Anna Dekker

The following topic areas are covered in the section Q05 guidance and clauses to assist in maintaining biodiversity:

Information, legislation, designation and protection

Designation is a key mechanism for halting and reversing loss of biodiversity and protecting habitats. General guidance provides definitions and lists useful references and organizations in the biodiversity sector, with links to relevant websites.

• Key planning policy and legislation to protect threatened species and habitats
• Designations and protection for habitats and species
• Biodiversity and conservation value, including brownfield sites.

Conservation operations

General guidance provides useful information, and clauses enable the specification of measures to deal with:

• Habitat creation, enhancement, management and protection
• Species introduction and protection
• Source of living material
• Injurious weeds, invasive plant animal species.

Measurement, assessment, and documentation

Clauses allow the specification of:

• Ecological record-keeping/ monitoring/ surveys
• Ecological Impact Assessment
• Invasive species survey
• BREEAM and Biodiversity Benchmarks
• Environmental management plans.

Section Q05 has been prepared with the assistance of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. Their help is gratefully acknowledged.

Further information

For further information see:

• www.biodiversityislife.net
• www.wildlifetrusts.org
• www.pondconservation.org.uk

Related NBS information:

Articles:

• Designing for biodiversity in low- and zero-carbon buildings
• Building for biodiversity
• Where’s the 'green' bit in NBS Building?

Selected links:

• Green building
• Nature conservation
• Sustainable development

Written March 2010

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