Ecological Networks - Joining Nature Back Together Again

One of the greatest causes of damage to nature conservation, including loss of species, reduction of habitats and the general degradation of the environment, is fragmentation.  The dividing up of habitats and ecosystems into ever smaller pieces has a greater effect even than the physical area of habitat lost.

Take a simple example.  Dormice need an area of around 20ha of woodland in order to form viable populations.  Two blocks of 10ha will not do.  Even if the area of woodland remains the same, the fragmentation of a wood into small blocks will result in the local loss of this species.

The answer to a fragmented landscape is fairly clear - join it back together again!  Academics may argue about just how connectedness works in practice, and it is certainly true that conserving the best of what we have today should be the first priority, but the basic principle of joining habitats back up again must surely be a reasonable approach.

The concept of building ecological networks has been around in Europe for a long time.  One example is the Dutch Nature Policy which has been signed up to by all Dutch Ministries and has support across political parties.  This policy is based not only on conserving what remains but also on significant expansion of key areas within the context of on an ecological network that extends across Europe.

An ecological network, consisting of larger, high quality nature conservation areas interconnected in the wider landscape - in both urban and rural areas - should be a key aspect of environmental strategy.  It will have a number of fundamentally important functions including the development of a resilient and adaptable environment that is able to respond to the pressures of climate change.  Furthermore it will underpin a more functional environment that is able to continue to deliver the ecosystem services on which we all depend.

Any future UK government must take a far more holistic approach to nature conservation, the environment and ecosystem services.  These are all elements in an integrated whole that is fundamental to our very survival.  An overall strategy is required that works at a landscape scale, including ecological networks.

Whilst this is a Conservative website, I should point out that the current Government announced a review into English wildlife and ecological networks, so helping nature thrive and survive with climate change.  The review, involving outside stakeholders and experts, is likely to report in June, after the general election.  Other relevant initiatives will be feeding into it such as the National Ecosystem Assessment and the Foresight Land Use work (due to report next January).  

It is important that we seriously start addressing these issues and work out our policy issues.  It is also so important that it is beyond party politics.  We urge the Conservative Party to support the initiative too. 

Dr. Tony Whitbread is the Chief Executive of Sussex Wildlife Trust

Tony Whitbread, Chief Executive, Sussex Wildlife Trust - 01/01/1970 Have your say

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