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Member of PPS9 | Ecological Networks | A New road to Travel | Records – Two Sides to the Story The World Conservation Union Number 51 Ecology & Environmental Management March N RACTICE 2006 IBulletin of the InstituteP of Ecology and Environmental Management their anthropocentricity. For example, in the so-called ‘Hannover Principles’ Will Planning Policy prepared for the World Expo in 2000, William McDonough, a leading exponent of sustainable development and design in the USA, stated that: Statement 9 make a ‘In order to embrace the idea of a global ecology with intrinsic value, Signifi cant Contribution to the meaning [of sustainable development] must be expanded to allow all parts of nature to meet their own needs now and in the future.’ (William Sustainable Development? McDonough & Partners 1992). Their suggestion is that by focusing primarily on the needs and rights of man as the key goal of sustainable development, and reinforcing the widely held conceit that other species exist merely to serve man’s needs, we are Dr Lincoln Garland MIEEM and unlikely ever to achieve truly sustainable development. Dr Mike Wells CEnv MIEEM Unfortunately, biodiversity and new development have historically been in Introduction direct confrontation. Development that has caused net harm to biodiversity and nature conservation interests has without doubt been more the rule In 1987 the World Commission Report on Environment and Development (the than the exception (Oxford 2000); and this has continued despite the Bruntland Commission) defi ned sustainable development as ‘development Bruntland Commission report. Many other authors have since agreed that that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of conservation and enhancement of biodiversity should be a fundamental future generations to meet their own needs’. Sustainable development component of sustainable development (RSPB 1996 and 2005, Oxford is now usually defi ned as human activity with balanced economic, social 2000, Christie et al. 2002). It has also been emphasised that sustainable and environmental goals (Oxford, 2000). Many authors, however, have development ultimately depends on cooperation between developers and criticised such working interpretations of ‘sustainable development’ for planners, rather than competition, avoiding the ‘winner - loser’ scenario Created intertidalintertidal reedbeds along the Greenwich Peninsula,Peninsula, LLondon.ondon. NationalNational BAPBAP prioritypriority speciesspecies supportedsupported includeinclude smeltsmelt and linnet. EcologyINSTITUTE and OF EnvironmentalECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL Management – MANAGEMENTIn Practice No. ● 5451, MarchSOUTHGATE 2006 STREET ● WINCHESTER ● HAMPSHIRE ● SO23 9EH ● TEL: 01962 8686261 Editorial Ecology and Environmental Management The world of Natural History Media is buzzing with the latest David In Practice No. 51, March 2006. ISSN 0966-2200 Attenborough Series – Planet Earth. Now readers of In Practice will Editor for this issue: Jim Thompson. know of the legendary perspicacity of our very own Professor Basil Assistant editor for this issue: Jason Reeves O’Saurus. I can tell our readers that weeks before journalists started to Photo Credits: Gavin Parsons and Ross Bower question our real motives in watching wildlife our Basil had it all worked In Practice is published quarterly by the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. It is supplied to all members of IEEM and is also available by subscription (£30 per year, UK; out. Turn to page 22 for further revelations! Notwithstanding the dark £40 overseas). side of natural history viewing, we have a brilliant series which will In Practice will publish news, comments, technical papers, letters, Institute news, reviews and raise awareness of biodiversity just at the time when it is under threat listings of meetings, events and courses. In Practice invites contributions on any aspect of ecology and environmental management but does not aim to publish scientific papers presenting as never before. The battle is by no means won in getting the message the results of original research. Contributions should be sent to the Editor at the IEEM office across of the extent to which this superbly portrayed biodiversity is (address below). under threat and IEEM members have a role to play in this. Opinions expressed by contributors to In Practice are not necessarily supported by the Institute. Readers should seek appropriate professional guidance relevant to their individual circumstances Contrast the TV series with the absurdity that the Natural Environment before following any advice provided herein. Research Council is to cut the funds to the Centre for Ecology and Advertising: Full page: £400, half-page: £200, quarter-page: £100, eighth-page: £50. The Institute Hydrology centres by £4 million.The consequencies are understood does not accept responsibility for advertising content or policy of advertisers, nor does the placement of advertisements in In Practice imply support for companies, individuals or their to include: products or services advertised herein. - closure of the Banchory, Monks Wood and Winfrith research centres as well as the Environmental Microbiology laboratory in Oxford and Contents CEH’s administrative headquarters in Swindon; 1,3-7 Will Planning Policy Statement 9 make a - up to150 scientist positions and 80 support staff lost; Significant Contribution to Sustainable - consequent loss of knowledge, expertise and research capability Development? - a vital resource for Government, NGOs and biodiversity focused Lincoln Garland MIEEM and Mike Wells CEnv businesses; MIEEM - £45 million restructuring costs to reduce annual costs by £2.1 8 Herpetofauna Workers' Meeting million. Jon Cranfield AIEEM and John Baker MIEEM These centres have underpinned the research on the environment, on ecosystems and land management systems for many years, are highly 9 ZSL Scientific Meeting respected nationally and internationally and very often undertake vital Jason Reeves AIEEM long term studies which others are not now equipped to carry out. The 10-11 Ecological Networks CEH centres occupy a special place in UK ecology and are crucial to Linda Yost CEnv MIEEM the ability of the UK to deliver biodiversity commitments nationally and 12 A New Road to Travel Michael Starrett internationally. There are several closely connected issues dependent 13 South West Section Launch on the CEH centres: Irish Members' Survey - long–running strategic projects and monitoring; - strategic research capability available to Government; Mieke Muyllaert CEnv MIEEM - security of vital data notably the Biological Records Centre; 14 Irish Conference - expertise available to Government, NGOs and industry; Scottish Newsletter - science diversity, world class science and not concentrating all 15-16 North West Section Field Meeting research in universities; 16 North West Section Moving On - standing and influence of ecologists and environmental authorities and effect on professional ecologists. 17 North East Section Event 18 Records - Two Sides to the Story The UK government has signed up to the objective of halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 and endorsed it at the Malahide Conference in 19 IUCN News 2004. We are constantly being reminded of the threats from climate 20 EFAEP News change to biodiversity, habitat and species loss and sea level rises and 21 Society for the Environment News yet the body which is so superbly well placed to provide some of the 22 Basil O'Saurus vital scientific background to these issues is to have its resources cut. 24-26 Institute News There is widespread recognition that the costs of climate change will be enormous so for a saving of £4 million it is proposed to jeopardize one 27 Recent Publications of our best tools available for dealing with some of the consequencies. 28-33 In the Journals A better example of a short-term gain to the detriment of our clear 34 News in Brief long term needs would be hard to find. 35 Prospective and New Members Jim Thompson 36 Diary P.S. The objections have produced little. The stations will close but Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management 40 jobs ave been saved. Executive Director: Dr Jim Thompson Deputy Executive Director: Linda Yost Membership Officer: Anna Thompson Education Officer: Nick Jackson External Relations Officer: Jason Reeves Patrons: Prof. David Bellamy, Prof. Tony Bradshaw, Sir Martin Doughty, Prof. Charles Gimingham, Mr John Humphrys, Dr Duncan Poore, The Earl of Selborne & Baroness Barbara Young President: Dr Chris Spray Vice-President: Dr Eirene Williams Secretary: Dr Janet Swan Treasurer: Dr Alex Tait IEEM aims to raise the profile of the profession of ecology and environmental management, to The Institute is immensely grateful to those organisations listed establish, maintain and enhance professional standards, and to promote an ethic of environmental below who have made financial contributions or provided substantial care within the profession and to clients and employers of the members. ‘help in kind’ to support its activities during 2005/2006 IEEM Office: 45, Southgate Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9EH. Tel: 01962 868626, Fax/Ans: 01962 868625. Email: [email protected] Website: www.ieem.net British Ecological Society IEEM is a Company limited by guarantee, no. 2639067. Landscape Science Consultancy MEMBERSHIP RPS Full £110 (outside UK: £80) Associate £75 (outside UK: £55) Retired £50 Affiliate £50 Student £20 Full membership is open to those with three years’ experience,