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Volume 2 (2), July 1998
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Page Contents |
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Editorial |
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Main Papers |
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Notes |
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Eco-bites |
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The
Grazing Index for Heather Moorland English Nature has developed the 'Grazing Index', a new, uniform method of surveying heather moorland. This allows land managers to carry out quick and easy assessments of how well or badly grazing levels are maintaining the variety of moorland plants. The results allow accurate comparisons over time and between sites. 71e Index involves dividing the land into 50ha blocks and then carrying out a three-stage check. The results are then measured against a scale to give a read-off of the condition of the vegetation for each block. According to Jayne Manley, the English Nature Ecologist responsible for the Index: "Using the Grazing index, a 50ha block can be checked in under two hours, and one major advantage is that the people doing the survey don't need a huge botanical knowledge. A free leaflet, 'The Grazing Index for Heather Moorlands', is available from English Nature local/regionbal Offices or direct from Claire MacDonald, Uplands and Freshwater Team, English Nauture, Northminster House, Peterborough, PE1 1UA ( Field notes, describing how to carry out the Grazing Index assessment, are also available upon request). Understanding poeple's perceptions of urban fringe woodlands Growing in Confidence Jacqui Burgess for the Countryside Commission Sensationalised reports in the of crime in local woods are putting people off visiting woodlands. Fear for personal safety is a serious issue. Millions of people enjoy their leisure time outdoors. This is often in public open space aincluding woodlands. However, fear of crime, especially of physical violence in open spaces is increasing and has a detrimental effect on the quality of life, particularly for more vulnerable social groups. Women, children and members of ethnic minority communities are most affected. This fear is a powerful emotional response to a sense of threat. Anxiety and fear are produced by both informal discussions between people, and reactions to media coverage of the issues. Research for the Countryside Commission's Community Forest Unit highlighted the extent to which fear of crime may have spread from urban areas into peoples experiences and perceptions of the wider countryside, especially urban fringe woodlands. Some are deterred from using woods and forests for recreation, because they are anxious about personal safety. As one woman in the study said: "It's not worth taking the risk for the sake of a walk." Why are landscapes which give people so much pleasure (with considerable evidence for woods and forests being amongst the most highly valued sites for their beauty and naturlaness) should also be viewed as so unsafe? The extent to which people's vision of an "unsafe" urban setting is projected onto woodlands is important. Relationships between people and their daily environment are subtle, with no simple determinism operating. They are also largely taken for granted. Women and children need the comforting presence of other people who may, firstly, deter an attacker and secondly, come to someone's assistance if needed. The research shows that the physical qualities of woods (being enclosed by trees, and of not being able to see very far) are misinterpreted as if they were like physical features in the city and, potentially dangerous. This problem wll worsen as generations of children are denied the chance to play in the woods as their parents and grandparents did. An important factor in people's sense of anxiety in woodlands, is communication. The modem gnews' stories circulate in highly sensational reports of very rare, extremely violent crimes against (usually) women and children in public spaces, parks and natural settings. There is always a risk that a stranger in a public space might do someone harm. However, the probabilities of this are actually very low, especially compared with the total number encounters in daily social interaction. These rare events are given highly sensationalised treatment by much of the media, ever looking for a shocking story of extreme violence. Of further concern is that the coverage of such events has expanded dramatically over trecent years. |
People
are bombarded by news of an event or incident. If there is an inquest
(some months later) there will be similar coverage. The victims are usually
women, children and often members of ethnic minority communities. The
message presented, received and reinforced, is that parks, woods and other
green spaces are unsafe. Planning Policy Guidance 9 - Nature The Department of the Environment (as was) has issued new guidance on planning and nature conservation for England, as one of a series of Guidance Notes addressing planning issues. The 59 page A4 document has much information.and is a useful and important document and a surprisingly easy read. 'Mis is a key report, and should be read carefully by all nature conservationists in England. For example, for those interested in issues which affect planning for nature conservation in urban areas, it states: "The conservation of nature is important. Attractive environments, where attention is given to nature conservation, are essential to social and economic well-being". In places it emphasises the need to protect wildlife sites. but it is insisitent that only sites of clear local, national or international importance are given strong protection. Planning should take the local, national or international status into account and unnecessary constraints on development should be avoided. "Nature conservation can be a significant material consideration in determining many planning applications ........ However, permission should not be refused if conditions can be imposed to prevent damage (para. 27). The report emphasizes that planning authorities should use conditions to safeguard nature conservation where damage is a risk (para. 28). This is sensible guidance, but will be fraught with difficulties uless local authorities have the expertise and resources to impliment such conditions. Important for many wildlife and geological sites, the guidance suggests that the value of urban sites not not recognised by formal nature conservation designations, should also be taken into account. This applies to features which "...are of major importance for wild flora and fauna ........ and includes: ...... those which, because of their linear or continuous structure or their function as stepping stones, are essential for migration, dispersal and genetic exchange". Examples are rivers with their banks, traditional field boundary systems, ponds and small woods. This argument is expanded in para. 15. which says "Statutory and non-statutory sites, together with countryside features which provide wildlife corridors, links or stepping stones from one habitat to another, all help to from a network necessary to ensure the maintenance of the current range and diversity of our flora, fauna, geological and landforin features and the survival of important species". Nature conservation sites in urban areas have particular value for local people, and those are recognised in the Guidance Note. "These sites are important to local communities, often affording people the only opportunity of direct contact with nature ...... (para. 15). PPG9 emphasises that nature conservation objectives are important in planning for urban areas (para. 19) and that these issues are best dealt with on a strategic basis (para. 21). The potential for enhancement of areas for wildlife is noted in para. 15 Sensitive landscaping and planting, the creation, maintenance and management of landscape features important to wildlife, and the skilled adaptation of derelict areas can provide extended habitats". This is a welcome emphasis on the positive role of developers, along with the responsibility to assess the impact of development proposals and show minimal adverse impact. The sometimes enormous and often neglected potential for environmental enhancement is recognised but the development industry and the planning authorities, have a long way to go in bringing this to fruition. It is essential that planners and developers get the best possible advice. The role of English Nature and the non-govemmental organisations in this is noted in para. 20. The potential roles of local authority ecological advisory services however, should not be overlooked, and they ned resources and recognition! This is an important document. It is essential reading for everyone involved in nature conservation and planning issues and costs £8.50 from HMSO.
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Eco-tones & Undertones |
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Not applicable this issue
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