Habitat conservation

• Habitat conservation:

  • land ownership
  • designated protected areas
  • voluntary agri-environmental schemes
  • habitat creation and design
  • habitat management
• Land Ownership:

  • Wildlife conservation organisations purchase areas inhabited by protected species e.g. RSPB
  • Individual landowners may also make management decisions that benefit wildlife e.g. bird feeders, planting wildflowers, bug hotels
• Designated protected areas:

  • Land use is only for protecting a key environmental feature such as habitats or species - activities are restricted
  • creates protection for species and habitats
  • creates restrictions on activities within and outside the protected areas
  • Active conservation occurs in these areas
  • People are encouraged to go to protected areas for money income and awareness. This increases public support of the area

  UK:

  • SSSI - Site of Special Scientific Interest
  • MCZ - Marine Conservation Zone
  • NNR - National Nature Reserve eg New Forest

  EU designations:

  • SPA land
  • SAC water
• Background for Voluntary Agri-Environmental Schemes:

  • 69% of the UK is used for farming
  • Since the 1950s there has been an increase in intensive farming which is very damaging to habitats. Intensive means lots of technology, tractors and pesticides are used
• Voluntary Agri-Environmental Schemes:

  • Governments offer money incentives for farmers to do something on their farm to support and benefit wildlife providing financial support for farmers

  Aim = conserve wildlife, protect natural resources and promote public access and understanding

  • The more the farmer does the more they get paid
  • Field buffer strips to protect rivers
  • hedgerow, stone wall and ditch management - to maintain wildlife habitats
  • wild bird seeds - to provide winter bird food
  • Providing habitats - bird boxes
  • maintain public footpaths
  • in field trees - leaving existing habitats