'Landscapes for Lessers' Project
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Landscapes for Lessers Tirlun i'r rhai lleiaf
Landscape for Lessers is a conservation project working at the landscape level throughout the entirety of Wales. The aim is to identify existing and novel solutions to addressing the threats to the lesser horseshoe bat in Wales today.
The UK has an internationally important population of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros. The species has suffered severe declines across Europe and the English and Welsh populations now comprise strongholds, making it important to prioritise conservation efforts in these areas.
BCT is working with the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and Environment Agency Wales to deliver the Landscape for Lessers project. The emphasis of the project is on a landscape-scale approach where the landscape is considered in its entirety, no one aspect being dismissed. The project will link work in urban, semi-urban and rural environments, providing many opportunities for innovation and inclusion in conservation. The project also aims to benefit other species of importance in the landscape that use similar features.
In recent years in the UK, the National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP) has reported significant increases in the number of lesser horseshoe bats observed in both colony count and hibernation surveys suggesting a national increase. Welsh data shows an increase of 6.5% per annum.
Whilst this is very good news for the lesser horseshoe bat, it is considered doubtful as to whether such increases can be sustained in the longer-term in face of numerous pressures on this species.
These on-going threats have ensured the lesser horseshoe bat's status as a species of principal conservation importance in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
Direct Conservation Action for the Lesser Horseshoe Bat Is needed...
To ensure that populations are sufficiently robust to survive these pressures in Wales into the future. It should aim to:
- Improve and safeguard all types of roosts
- Enhance and reinstate connectivity in the landscape to facilitate commuting; and
- Bolster the productivity of feeding grounds by measures to benefit invertebrate fauna.
The Landscape for Lesser's project has been split into three phases:
- Phase 1 comprised a pilot study in Pembrokeshire that is now complete.
- Phase 2 comprised a planning exercise to determine how the active conservation work could be rolled out throughout Wales. This phase was completed in February 2009. To view the Phase 2 report click here.
- Phase 3 will comprise the Wales-wide implementation project and is subject to funding and employment of a full time project officer(s). We are currently fundraising for this phase. If successful, we hope the project will start in September 2010 and will run for four and a half years.
Stakeholder Sign-Up
We are looking for anyone interested in getting involved / supporting this project to sign-up here!
Events
The Project Launch & 1st Steering Group Meeting 22nd May 2008 in Newtown.
2nd Steering Group Meeting 10th December 2008 in Builth Wells
Final Report and end of Phase 2 - mid February 2009
Futher information on the lesser horseshoe bat
If you have any queries or comments on the project please contact
Lisa Hundt, BCT; Biodiversity Officer, Email: LHundt@bats.org.uk
Related downloads
Information sheet on the lesser horseshoe