Adapted, resilient, biodiverse and multi-functional landscapes -

Adapted, Resilient, Biodiverse, and Multi-functional Landscapes
A realistic ambition?

Outline:
What is landscape?
The challenge - the response
A goods and services approach
Managing change
Commitments from Protected Landscapes

landscape is:
‘ Landscapes are everywhere - They are the result of the interaction of natural (geology, landform, soils, climate and biodiversity) and cultural influences (historical and current land uses, settlement patterns and human interventions) and
the relationship between PEOPLE and PLACE

the challenge:
A lot of us living on a small island
Food and energy security/ globalisation
Climate change adaptation
Maintaining distinctive & ‘functional’ landscapes
Recognising & valuing “cultural services”

the response:
Understanding how landscapes and ecosystems support our everyday lives
Identifying future trends – both risks and opportunities and
Having a shared goal or vision for what we want to achieve pursuing programmes of integrated delivery

a goods & services approach?
Since the Millenium Ecological Assessment see a shift to conceptualising ecosystems as providing goods and services that benefit people
4 key services: Provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural services

cultural services:
Sense of History (or heritage)
Sense of Place (identity, home)
Inspiration (stimulus)
Calm (relaxation, tranquillity)
Leisure and Activities (recreation)
Spiritual
Learning (education)
Escapism (getting away from it all, stress relief)

No charge? Valuing the natural environment

no charge?
Sets out the contribution that nature makes to our economy to ensure that its value is recognised
An initial focus on Upland systems - exploring the multi-functional values of the uplands and setting our a future vision based on practical projects
Up to 70 per cent of UK water supply is sourced from upland rivers, lakes and reservoirs and they are the largest carbon store in England – holding nearly 300 million tonnes. But soil erosion means up to 4 million tonnes of CO2 are being emitted per year from English peatlands

Exmoor Mire Restoration project being run by the National Park, see: http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/mire

Protected Landscapes -National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Higher level scheme target areas

managing landscape change:
Role of AONB/NP Management Plans to highlight the special qualities and the enduring significance of the Protected Landscapes and
Present an integrated sustainable vision for the future of the Protected Landscapes as a whole in the light of national, regional and local priorities

debate the choices for landscape management:
Business as usual
Extensive agriculture
Dichotomous countryside
Balancing agriculture with other ecosystem services

business as usual:
Drivers are short term, economic and regulatory
Tends toward large scale, intensification and monocultures
Decline in species diversity
Little value and therefore little investment in natural capital

commitments:
AONBs/NPs committed to ensuring landscape value integrated into decision making
Through Management Plans seeking to maintain and repair distinctive, biodiverse and multi-functional landscapes
Adaptation & resilience key to future landscapes

weblinks:
SWPL commitments for a sustainable future see:
http://www.southwestlandscapes.org.uk/CommissionedWorks.asp
AONB/NP Management Plan database see: http://www.southwestlandscapes.org.uk/ManagementPlan09.asp

Adapted, resilient, biodiverse and multi-functional landscapes -

by South West Observatory on Dec 08, 2009

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Adapted, resilient, biodiverse and multi-functional landscapes - — Presentation Transcript