How to create new habitats for Moths and Butterflies, increasing biodiversity and slowing decline in these species in Britain.

This month we have heard from Helen Briggs (BBC News) that UK moths are in “serious decline'.
Why is this important and why are we right to be concerned?
Richard Fox of Butterfly Conservation says in a recent report that numbers of moths have fallen by a third since 1968. This is a truly alarming decline in moths and it is thought to be indicative of a wider decline in British Biodiversity. It probably also reflects an actual loss of habitats for moths, other species which depend on them. It may also be indicative of the bigger biodiversity crisis that could be one of the knock on effects of global warming on British wildlife.

According to Dr Martin Warren of Butterfly Conservation, we have “only just seen the tip of the iceberg.” David Attenborough has agreed that British long term data showing decline in moths is indicative of habitat loss and that the UK has a unique position in holding such long term moth data. Other areas do not possess such long term data and are therefore perhaps not yet aware of the decline in their native species.

So should we be worried by the decline in our moth and butterfly species?
Could we be taking steps to redress the biodiversity balance? Why is our biodiversity declining?

With the ploughing up of unfertlised wildflower meadows and increased use of fertilisers and pesticides since the 1960's, many meadows and their wildflowers have been wiped out; these were a popular food source for butterflies and moths, plus other species which are dependant on them for their survival.

The group Butterfly Conservation has said that number of moths have fallen due to 97% of our flower rich meadows being lost in the past 50 years. Species of moth and butterfly that require special habitats are more at risk because they have specialised requirements. Grasslands have declined and the species that depend on them have done likewise. For instance, High Brown fritillary and Silver Spotted skipper butterflies have declined.

What these butterflies and moths need are new green infrastructure planting with enhanced wildlife habitat corridors. This is so that they can still transfer from one specialised habitat to another.

Two thirds of the 337 moth species studied showed a decreasing population trend in the last 35 years (Rothamsted Research Institute.)Further, more species have declined in Southern (75%) rather than northern (55%) Britain. Government Policy will need to make room for changes and better resources for moth and butterfly conservation. In the meantime, what can individuals and small groups do to help British moths and butterflies survive?

Conserve and manage your local hedgerows and field edges, creating and linking networks.
Create and manage grassland areas to keep a variety of heights of vegetation.
Wilder gardens can be a haven for moths and butterflies. This verdant style of mature garden, akin to the old style English cottage gardens, can be just as attractive as more formal gardens.
Keep an area for wildlife and allow grasses and wildflowers to flower and complete life cycles.
Plant food plants for moth larvae and adult moths. (Many of our wild grasses fall into this category.)
Also, add plants moths and butteflies love; Lonicera periclymenum (Honeysuckle),Oenothera (Evening primrose) and Valerians, aswell as Centranthus, Ligustrum and Sedum asters and Erigeron species of perennial plants; these are all attractive to butterflies.

If you don't have a garden yet you can join a garden share scheme or perhaps set one up locally? Start an allotment. Plant flowers for cutting as well as some small fruit trees and peas and beans on your allotment.
If left to grow to maturity near to the base of mixed native hedges, long grasses will attract many British moth species. Grasses left to grow tall will provide cover for overwintering insects aiding to stem the decline in biodiversity.

Discovery of 3 new Sorbus spp; Sorbus cheddarensis, Sorbus eminentoides & Sorbus rupicoloides aid Biodiversity argument.

Conservation & managing for increasing biodiversity,managing natural resources responsibly and increasing sustainability are key issues; habitats are under pressure and rainforests are being destroyed, so discovery of 3 new Whitebeam (Sorbus cheddarensis, Sorbus eminentoides and Sorbus rupicoloides) in the UK Whitebeam hot spot of Cheddar Gorge, (where 8 species of Whitebeam now grow), is heartening news indeed. We should really be encouraged by this; biodiversity and enhancing and safeguarding our natural resources is vital, if they are to be there for future generations to enjoy.

The 3 exciting new species show that evolutionary processes are operating effectively in these habitats; with the result, confirmed by DNA testing, of these 3 new species, Cheddar Whitebeam, Sorbus cheddarensis, Twin cliffs whitebeam, Sorbus eminentoides and Gough's Rock whitebeam, Sorbus rupicoloides, reinforcing the importance of continuing to preserve our biodiversity.

Mark Courtiour, NT Countryside Manager; "We always wondered what whitebeam rarities might be lurking in the gorge as it's such a stunning place for wildlife. This important survey work will help with our management of the site now we know what we have and where they can be found."

So, what more might we be able to do to continue to help biodiversity and evolving species like the UK Whitebeam (Sorbus species), so that they are safeguarded for future generations to see and enjoy?

One way of helping is by managing your land for enhanced biodiversity and protecting any endangered sites or species near you. Conserving mature habitats, such as native hedges, woodland and species diverse natural wild grassland will help to ensure that species are allowed to evolve and develop in their natural environment. If you would like to know more take a look at some of our work on www.landvision.co.uk

The new discovery illustrates that sensitive habitat management and botanical survey work pays off. This was the first time this site had been surveyed for Whitebeams. The Gorge is steep, making survey work hazardous, in parts the ledges of the gorge are 120 metres high, (same as a 40-storey high rise block of flats/appartment) and so parts are almost inaccessible. This gorge is the largest in the UK.

So, what do the new species discovered look like?

Whitebeams belong to the Sorbus family. There are now over 30 known species in the UK. From old English ‘beam' meaning tree, the underside of its leaves are covered in fine white hairs, hence named Whitebeam. They also have red fruits that resemble tiny apples.

8 whitebeam species occur in this part of England, including the 3 new species which are;
Cheddar whitebeam (Sorbus cheddarensis) – oval shaped leaves; tree can grow to seven metres high,at least 19 trees found.
Twin cliffs whitebeam (Sorbus eminentoides) - has roundish leaves, grows up to 9 metres, greyish brown bark. 15 trees recorded.
Gough's rock whitebeam (Sorbus rupicoloides) - long narrow leaves, tree grows up to seven metres. 13 trees found in Cheddar gorge.

Hugh Cornwell, Director of Cheddar Caves and Gorge; "This discovery demonstrates the rich biodiversity in the Gorge." Other UK locations which whitebeam favour are; the Avon Gorge, Bristol, Wye Valley, Craig-y-Cilau in Brecon Beacons and the northern parts of the Devon-Somerset coast. 2 other National Trust sites,Watersmeet in N Devon and Leigh Woods in Bristol also contain species unique to their sites.

At a time when the earth's natural resources are under increasing pressure,conserving biodiversity has not always had the air space it deserves. This discovery Dr Tim Rich, Head of Vascular Plants, Welsh National Herbarium says;
" (shows) that we're still learning about the natural world and finding new species of plants in the UK. Cheddar is a very special place."
It is clear that we should be encouraging processes of evolution, through sensitive management of biodiversity as this brings rewards in the form of evolving species like Whitebeam (Sorbus spp.)for future generations to enjoy.

Green infrastructure, incorporating green roofs and Sustainable urban drainage schemes enhances biodiversity

Green infrastructure, incorporating green roofs and Sustainable urban drainage schemes enhances biodiversity as well as optimising the aesthetic potential of green spaces through linkage; helping to achieve sustainability and lowering CO2 emissions over time; with greater net benefits for wildlife and urban environments than the ad hoc addition of individual components on their own.
So, what exactly is green infrastructure?
Green Infrastructure includes these components; green roofs, sustainable urban drainage schemes (SUDS), garden trees, wildflower meadow creation and enhancement, wildlife habitat creation, ecological enhancement, biodiversity action plans, linking of green space, urban woodlands, street trees, urban parks and public open spaces. The combined benefits of green roofs, Sustainable urban drainage schemes, rainwater harvesting schemes, biodiversity action plans and green space allocation and the ethos of linkage of all these components, through sustainable ecological “green” design is currently being encouraged in landscape planning.
More benefits?
Green infrastructure helps to aid biodiversity, increases energy efficiency in buildings and decreases storm water runoff, minimising peak water flows.
Therefore, using green roofs (and also green walls), maximises habitat creation potential, with wildlife benefits in built up urban areas, whilst minimising & slowing down storm water runoff from buildings, aiding flood alleviation schemes. They cool buildings in hot weather with less need for air conditioning and trap dust and other pollutants, improving air quality & lowering temperatures in “urban heat islands”.
What angles allow a safe green roof to be installed?
If the angle of the roof is between 2 and 20 degrees then you should be able to install a simple green roof. When angles of less than 2 degrees or greater than 20 degrees are involved, more complex design considerations will need to be taken into account. The installation of green roofs on angles of more than 30 degrees is not recommended, unless you have specialist advice available to you.
Underlying roof structure, will the roof structure of the roof of your shed/garage/house take the extra weight that the green roof will put on it?
A simple, light weight green roof will weigh between 60-150 kg per square metre; calculations must also include the weight of water held in the roof and snow loading. If you are in doubt, you should consult an architect/engineer.
Green Roofs have 5 main layers; planting layer, planting substrate (this should be 80% inorganic and 20% organic compost), filter layer(Light weight geotextile/landscape fabric), drainage layer (especially important for roofs of less than 10 degree angle), and finally a waterproof/ root proof membrane layer.
For details on Flooding go to www.landvision.co.uk . We will be adding a web page shortly on how to install your Green Roof. Alternatively contact us at; charmaine@landvision.co.uk with your query.

Canvey wick Brownfield site - wildlife haven.

The Land Restoration Trust has discovered that brownfield sites, such as old industrial wasteland, are home to some endangered species of plant and animal. Skylarks, lapwings and water voles are amongst the many species that can occur on brownfield sites!

Canvey Wick, (which is due to be bought by the Trust) is home to a staggering 30 Red Data Book species, plus...an amazing three species which were previously thought to be extinct.

One reason taht these rare species like brownfield sites is the informality of the design. Another is that sites have grown over time and tend to be more varied in layout than formal green spaces - with shallow pools (ideal for a multitude of species), diverse flora and low fertility- all prerequisites for diversity in the natural world. Management has been informal and the result - a diverse ecosystem worth safeguarding and emulating.

The Trust tries to balance the needs of people (recreation, relaxation spaces..) with those of the natural world- so that people can see and understand nature and its uniqueness.