Biodiversity Action Planning
BCT delivering bat biodiversity
Following the UK Government becoming a signatory to the Convention of Biological Diversity in Rio de Janerio in 1992, this commitment was put into practice via the launch of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) in 1994. Species and Habitat Action Plans (SAPs & HAPs) were drawn up for those species and habitats considered to require targeted conservation action.
BAP Action Plans can be located on the UK BAP website.
Current UK Bat BAP Species
- soprano pipistrelle
- lesser horseshoe
- greater horseshoe
- barbastelle
- Bechstein's bats
- noctule
- brown long-eared bats
The new 'habitats-based' approach to the delivery of the Biodiversity Action Plan
In October 2007 it became apparent that the government was proposing to change the arrangements for the delivery of the UK BAP from mid 2009 onwards to a more 'habitats-focused' approach. These new arrangements were discussed in some detail during the annual bat BAP steering group meeting in November 2007. The arrangements have now been decided by Natural England and BCT continues to be active in meetings between Natural England and Wildlife and Countryside Link to ensure the needs of bats are accommodated.
How BCT's biodiversity work is structured
The following work areas and focus groups all form part of the remit of the Biodiversity Project:
- Woodlands;
- Buildings and the Built Environment (now principally under the buildings and built environment project);
- Barbastelle and Bechstein's Technical Advisory Group;
- Mines and Underground Sites Group;
- Farming;
- Wetlands;
- Training; and
- Planning.
The Future...how can local knowledge help....
The adoption this habitats based approach has lead to a need to ensure that actions and resources are successfully prioritised. This has seen the introduction of mapping projects that will be used to direct actions and identify priority areas for decision making processes such as regional planning strategies and agri-environment schemes. Approaching conservation at a landscape level has the potential to provide valuable habitat networks. However, it is important that these systems are comprehensive enough to ensure that resources and protection measures are not misdirected.
BCT plans to carry out work to assess these systems by comparing the areas identified by statutory bodies, with areas identified as a result of local bat knowledge. This information could then be used to lobby for better systems and provide the potential work to protect habitat essential to the survival of the local bat population.
BCT and the conservation world awaits how the new proposed system for the delivery of UK BAP will actually work in practice. BCT continues to keep up-to-date with the process as it progresses.
The work of the Biodiversity Officer is funded by Natural England and The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
