Falkirk Area Biodiversity Action Plan 2011-2014 A NEFORA' If you would like this information in another language, Braille, LARGE PRINT or audio, please call 01324 504863. For more information about this plan and how to get involved in local action for biodiversity contact: The Biodiversity Officer, Falkirk Council, Abbotsford House, David’s Loan, Falkirk FK2 7YZ E-mail: [email protected] www.falkirk.gov.uk/biodiversity Biodiversity is the variety of life. Biodiversity includes the whole range of life - mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, plants, trees, fungi and micro-organisms. It includes both common and rare species as well as the genetic diversity within species. Biodiversity also refers to the habitats and ecosystems that support these species. Biodiversity in the Falkirk area includes familiar landscapes such as farmland, woodland, heath, rivers, and estuary, as well as being found in more obscure places such as the bark of a tree, the roof of a house and the land beneath our feet. Biodiversity plays a crucial role in our lives. A healthy and diverse natural environment is vital to our economic, social and spiritual well being, both now and in the future. The last 100 years have seen considerable declines in the numbers and health of many of our wild plants, animals and habitats as human activities place ever-increasing demands on our natural resources. We have a shared responsibility to conserve and enhance our local biodiversity for the good of current and future generations. For more information about this plan and how to get involved in local action for biodiversity contact: The Biodiversity Officer, Falkirk Council, Abbotsford House, David’s Loan, Falkirk FK2 7YZ E-mail: [email protected] www.falkirk.gov.uk/biodiversity Contents 1 A Biodiversity Action Plan for the Falkirk Area 4 2 Local Biodiversity Action 2000-2010 6 “Think global”……… International, National and Scottish Action for Biodiversity “Act local”……… The Falkirk Area Biodiversity Action Plan 3 Responding To The Changing Environment 8 4 The Way Forward 10 5 Falkirk’s Biodiversity 2010 11 6 Targeted Local Conservation Action 2011-2014 12 Central Objectives and Key Issues Priority species and habitats Action Planning 7 Estuary Action Plan 14 8 Farmland and Grassland Action Plan 16 9 Heath and Bog Action Plan 18 10 Inland Water and Wetlands Action Plan 20 11 Urban Action Plan 22 12 Woodland Action Plan 24 13 Education, Awareness Raising and Participation Action Plan 26 14 Bean Goose Action Plan 27 Appendices Appendix 1: Priority Habitats list 28 Appendix 2: Priority Species list 29 Appendix 3: Project summary table 32 Appendix 4: Aspirational project summary table 34 Appendix 5: Proforma for in-house environmental assessment of projects 36 Appendix 6: Partner organisations 37 Appendix 7: Abbreviations used in text 38 1 A Biodiversity Action Plan for the Falkirk Area clear actions and challenges to focus local biodiversity conservation, it is Action Plans …. Take Action not set in stone and hopes to also for Biodiversity …. guide and encourage additional activity where appropriate. As part of the 2011-2014 plan, a series of revised action plans have Whether or not you can help implement some of the projects By its nature biodiversity action been produced, which describe Falkirk’s varied landscape and the within this plan why not take action planning is a development process for local biodiversity by: and this updated Plan represents rich diversity of species that it progression of the first FABAP. The supports. These action plans are as Gardening for wildlife follows: Habitat and Species Action Plans Learning how to identify and from the original FABAP will Estuary record local wildlife therefore continue to be relevant to The Falkirk Area Biodiversity over the last nine years. This local conservation work that is the protection and enrichment of Farmland & grassland Working with colleagues, school Action Plan (FABAP) was first updated plan (2011-2014) reviews already taking place, which will biodiversity in the Falkirk area and Heath & bog friends or neighbours on a published in 2002. Its primary progress made since 2002 and help to conserve our priority will provide the context to this more wildlife project objective was to… looks ahead to the forthcoming habitats and species. project-focused Plan for 2011-2014. Inland water & wetland three years. It provides an Concentrating resources on a Encouraging your local Safeguard the local variety Urban community to improve areas of of life opportunity for us to build on the relatively small number of priority A list of projects accompanies each elements of the FABAP process projects is considered the most plan, aimed at protecting and Woodland openspace to benefit biodiversity Since 2002, various projects and which have worked well and effective approach to conserving enhancing associated priority Finding out more about your habitats and species. These projects Education, awareness raising & strategies have been implemented change those which have been less and enhancing the Falkirk Area’s participation local biodiversity on one of the in an effort to protect and enhance successful. As with the original Biodiversity. It is anticipated that will be led and supported by countryside ranger’s walks or our locally important habitats and plan, it has been produced in this approach will guide the members of the Biodiversity Bean goose action plan events species. These have been association with the Falkirk Area Biodiversity Partnership for the Partnership and the Biodiversity enthusiastically supported by a vast Biodiversity Partnership which next three years, whereupon it will Officer. Joining a local conservation array of different organisations, includes many organisations that be reviewed and updated. group This action plan is not just for Falkirk groups and individuals including have a specialist interest in the Flexibility in the Local Biodiversity Getting in touch with the Falkirk community groups, (NGO) non- local biodiversity of Falkirk. Action Plan (LBAP) process is Council and its partners. Everyone benefits from biodiversity and Environment Trust if you are a governmental organisations, public In keeping with the essential to ensure that it member of a group who need bodies, interest groups, businesses, recommendation of the FABAP effectively responds to local needs everyone has a role to play in caring for it. The table below provides funding for local environmental schools, farmers, landowners and steering group, this updated action and circumstances and to enable projects the general public. plan is more project focused, new initiatives to be developed, some ideas of how individuals and generating a realistic programme particularly where they help deliver groups can take action for local Nevertheless, much has changed of projects, above and beyond the the FABAP. Whilst this plan sets biodiversity. 4 5 2 Local Biodiversity Action 2000 - 2010 “Think global”…. International, National and Scottish Action for Biodiversity At the Earth Summit in Rio de and habitats considered to be That said, since the FABAP was Janeiro in 1992, the UK signed of principal importance for the launched in 2002, a considerable the Convention on Biological purpose of biodiversity amount has been achieved in the Diversity, agreeing to implement conservation in Scotland. The area to benefit biodiversity. conservation measures to ensure list contains over 1900 terrestrial, Partners have been involved in a that biodiversity in their country freshwater and marine species and wide range of projects delivering and worldwide would be protected over 180 habitats. In 2007 the UK biodiversity actions across the and enhanced. The famous quote BAP priority species and habitats locality including for example: lists were reviewed. These identify “Think global, act local” Production of an Integrated which appears in the first Falkirk priorities for conservation action within the UK and now include Habitat Network study for the Area Biodiversity Action Plan Falkirk area stems from this United Nations 1150 species and 65 habitats. (UN) Conference, and, prior to Both the Scottish List and the Great-crested newt surveys at that, from the Scottish polymath new list of UK BAP Priority several important pond sites and Species and Habitats (2007) have enhancement work at three Incorporation of biodiversity the Millennium Canal extension Patrick Geddes (Cities in Evolution, protection and enhancement near west mains pond 1915). been used in prioritising species great crested newt pond clusters and habitats in this reviewed plan. measures into built development Support for the Wildlife Counts An updated and digitised Phase through the planning process To take forward the aims of the I Habitat Survey for the whole Project, providing biological Convention, the “UK Action Plan Council area A ‘Web of Life’ exhibition at recording workshops on topics for Biodiversity” was published in Callendar House such as mammals, butterflies Designation and management 1994 setting out 59 steps that Act local... The Falkirk Area and aquatic invertebrates, by the local community of the Managed realignment at should be taken to safeguard the Biodiversity Action Plan and provision of courses on area’s first Local Nature Skinflats nation’s biodiversity, and directing wildflower and aquatic Reserve at Bonnyfield statutory organisations and public A Helleborine orchid invertebrate identification. proven a valuable tool for management,