Landscape scale conservation
Encyclopedia
Landscape scale conservation is a concept that has arisen, primarily in the UK since the mid-1990s, in response to both the challenges of climate change
and a perceived excessive focus on site based conservation
. It aims to take an holistic approach, looking not just at biodiversity
issues, but also issues such as local economies and agriculture, eco-tourism, geodiversity
and the health and social benefits of the environment.
. Key reservoirs of biodiversity in the landscape are identified (including designated sites). Opportunities to link, complement or expand these sites are sought with the emphasis on the role of natural processes in their management.
Among the leading exponents of UK landscape scale conservation are the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There are 49 AONB in the UK. They have championed the "Protected Landscape Approach" that is a standard for all category 5 protected areas in the international hierarchy of protected areas as defined by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). For more information on this approach, see
The starting point for all landscape scale conservation schemes must be an understanding of the character of the landscape. Landscape character goes far beyond an appreciation of an area's visual attractiveness. It involves a deep understanding of how the landscape functions to support internal and external communities, cultural heritage and development, local and macro economies as well as the wildlife and natural resources of the area. Landscape character requires careful assessment according to accepted methodologies. Landscape character assessment will contribute to the determination of what scale is appropriate in which landscape. "Landscape scale" does not mean merely making things bigger, or acting at a bigger scale than previously: it has to mean that conservation is carried out at the correct scale and that it takes into account the human elements of the landscape, both past and present.
near Amsterdam
, a huge wetland landscape that is managed largely through natural processes. These principles have been applied in the UK, such as on the Essex Coast at Abbot's Hall where managed retreat has been used to create new saltmarshes and coastal wetland.
the Pumlumon Large Area Conservation Project focusses on upland conservation in areas of marginal agriculture and forestry http://www.montwt.co.uk/pumlumon.html. The North Somerset Levels and Moors Project addresses wetlandshttp://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/level1/level2/project_nslm.htm. There are several woodland based initiatives, often focusing on increasing linkages between existing woodland. An unusual approach is being taken in the Black Country
where Black Country Living Landscape is applying these principals to an urban area. http://countdown2010.net/news/update/newsletter0604.html#focus
to climate change, particularly in ensuring diverse and viable biodiversity in a changing landscape. To others in the UK it is more visionary, an opportunity to plan for a landscape which answers the needs of both people and wildlife in a crowded island.http://www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/publication/PDF/urbio7.pdf
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
and a perceived excessive focus on site based conservation
Site based conservation
Site based conservation is an approach to nature conservation that relies on the designation of important or representative examples of sites supporting key habitats or species...
. It aims to take an holistic approach, looking not just at biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
issues, but also issues such as local economies and agriculture, eco-tourism, geodiversity
Geodiversity
Geodiversity is the variety of earth materials, forms and processes that constitute and shape the Earth, either the whole or a specific part of it. Relevant materials include minerals, rocks, sediments, fossils, soils and water. Forms may comprise folds, faults, landforms and other expressions of...
and the health and social benefits of the environment.
Island Biogeography
From an ecological perspective the principles of the approach owe much to the application of island biogeographyIsland biogeography
Island biogeography is a field within biogeography that attempts to establish and explain the factors that affect the species richness of natural communities. The theory was developed to explain species richness of actual islands...
. Key reservoirs of biodiversity in the landscape are identified (including designated sites). Opportunities to link, complement or expand these sites are sought with the emphasis on the role of natural processes in their management.
Among the leading exponents of UK landscape scale conservation are the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There are 49 AONB in the UK. They have championed the "Protected Landscape Approach" that is a standard for all category 5 protected areas in the international hierarchy of protected areas as defined by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). For more information on this approach, see
The starting point for all landscape scale conservation schemes must be an understanding of the character of the landscape. Landscape character goes far beyond an appreciation of an area's visual attractiveness. It involves a deep understanding of how the landscape functions to support internal and external communities, cultural heritage and development, local and macro economies as well as the wildlife and natural resources of the area. Landscape character requires careful assessment according to accepted methodologies. Landscape character assessment will contribute to the determination of what scale is appropriate in which landscape. "Landscape scale" does not mean merely making things bigger, or acting at a bigger scale than previously: it has to mean that conservation is carried out at the correct scale and that it takes into account the human elements of the landscape, both past and present.
Natural Sites
A key inspiration for this approach was the OostvaardersplassenOostvaardersplassen
The Oostvaardersplassen is a nature reserve in the Netherlands, covering about . Despite having developed recently it already has international importance as a European wetland....
near Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, a huge wetland landscape that is managed largely through natural processes. These principles have been applied in the UK, such as on the Essex Coast at Abbot's Hall where managed retreat has been used to create new saltmarshes and coastal wetland.
Existing Woodland
In recent years studies have been carried out across the UK looking at much wider range of habitats. In WalesWales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
the Pumlumon Large Area Conservation Project focusses on upland conservation in areas of marginal agriculture and forestry http://www.montwt.co.uk/pumlumon.html. The North Somerset Levels and Moors Project addresses wetlandshttp://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/level1/level2/project_nslm.htm. There are several woodland based initiatives, often focusing on increasing linkages between existing woodland. An unusual approach is being taken in the Black Country
Black Country
The Black Country is a loosely defined area of the English West Midlands conurbation, to the north and west of Birmingham, and to the south and east of Wolverhampton. During the industrial revolution in the 19th century this area had become one of the most intensely industrialised in the nation...
where Black Country Living Landscape is applying these principals to an urban area. http://countdown2010.net/news/update/newsletter0604.html#focus
A Tool for Adaptation
Landscape scale conservation is seen by some as an essential tool for adaptationAdaptation
An adaptation in biology is a trait with a current functional role in the life history of an organism that is maintained and evolved by means of natural selection. An adaptation refers to both the current state of being adapted and to the dynamic evolutionary process that leads to the adaptation....
to climate change, particularly in ensuring diverse and viable biodiversity in a changing landscape. To others in the UK it is more visionary, an opportunity to plan for a landscape which answers the needs of both people and wildlife in a crowded island.http://www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/publication/PDF/urbio7.pdf