Let nature How nature’s recovery is essentialhelp for tackling the climate crisis Let nature help

PA Wire/PA Images GettyGetes Images Julie Hatcher Peter Cairns/2020Vision The time is now Contents To deal with the climate crisis, we must bring nature back on an ambitious scale 4 Nature-based solutions The natural systems that lock carbon away safely he world is starting to take Rapid cuts in our emissions must We must act now and we must note of the threat of climate be matched with determined action get this right. According to the 6 What nature can do T “Emission cuts must The multiple benefits of giving nature a chance catastrophe. In response, the be matched with to fix our broken ecosystems, Intergovernmental Panel UK government has joined many so they can help stabilise our climate. on Climate Change (IPCC), 8 Case study 1 governments around the world in action to fix our We must bring nature back across at decisions we take in the Beaver reintroduction, Argyll setting a net zero emissions target in broken ecosystems, so least 30% of land and sea by 2030. next 10 years are crucial for law. they can help Restoring wild places will also avoiding total climate 9 Case study 2 The Great Fen Project, Yet we cannot tackle the climate stabilise our climate.” revive the natural richness we all catastrophe. We must crisis without similar ambition to depend upon, making our lives kickstart nature’s recovery 10 Case study 3 meet the nature crisis head on – the happier and healthier. and make nature-based Upper Sherbourne, Warwickshire two are inseparable. The climate crisis have a big solutions a priority. 11 Case study 4 is driving nature’s decline; the loss of part to play in delivering this The Peat Partnership wildlife and habitats leaves us ill- recovery. We are already stepping equipped to reduce our emissions and important benefits is proven. But up to the challenge, but we also Ed Green 12 The way forward on land adapt to change. nature in the UK is in a sorry state and need decision makers, communities, Chief Executive The policies that will help nature work for us Nature’s incredible ability to trap important habitats are damaged and businesses and everyone else to Warwickshire Wildlife Trust 14 The way forward at sea

carbon safely and provide other declining. come along with us. Hamblin/2020Vision Mark Cover: How to revolutionise the way we manage the sea

Terry Whittaker Niki Clear Rupert Paul

2 | wildlifetrusts.org wildlifetrusts.org | 3 rd Let nature help Bi na PEATLAND an zs u s Z The UK’s peatland soils GRASSLAND store around 3.2 billion tonnes of carbon, but are UK grasslands store 2 billion tonnes Nature-based solutions heavily degraded and of carbon, but this is vulnerable to release the equivalent of 23 disturbance. Between 1990-2006, The UK has a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Nature can make a massive arable conversion of grasslands million tonnes of CO2 every R o released 14 million tonnes of CO2. We contribution to achieving this, or an even more ambitious target – but only if we restore our b year. Restoring them to J o prevent this emission is one can restore species-rich grasslands to damaged ecosystems. Here are the main areas that need attention: rd an of the most cost-effective lock up carbon and support abundant nature-based solutions. wildlife. om t.c BIOMASS CARBON ec ir d n w All animals and plants are carbon stores. ul The size of o WOODLAND a P d rt h When marine animals die, they generally e s p a l u R p sink and become incorporated into About 1 billion tonnes of the prize s S ne sediment, where their carbon might stay carbon are locked up in UK n Restoring our o t for thousands of years. Human activities woodlands, mostly in the soils. natural systems n 364.1 o Planting more woods and 37% i can impact on marine animal populations l

l

could provide 37% of the i million

and also disturb this sediment, releasing allowing natural regeneration m

CO mitigation needed tonnes 2 7

. carbon. could lock up more carbon, but 4

by 2030 to meet the Paris 3 1 CO e 2 this must be carefully planned Agreement. to maximise benefits and avoid harming other habitats. Possible contribution of UK natural systems to

reducing CO2 emissions Total UK emissions 2018

s on m m o c e v FOOD WEB CARBON i t a The crucial tool: e r

C Phytoplankton are the basis of ocean food webs and absorb a Nature Recovery CO2. Globally, 10 billion tonnes of carbon are transferred to seabed Network sediments when phytoplankton die or are eaten then excreted. On land, 66% of carbon in nature-rich areas is outside protected sites. We need to identify, map and protect these ecosystems, and restore them locally as part of a l national Nature Recovery Network. We also need to incentivise farmers and other au P rt land managers to improve their land for nature and contribute to this network. r e lo p ay u At sea, we need effective marine planning and an ecologically coherent network of N R l SEAGRASS u a Marine Protected Areas. P A hectare of seagrass may store two

tonnes of CO2 a year and hold it for centuries, while providing nursery habitat for young fish. But since 1985, we have lost half our seagrass e meadows. Reducing water pollution vi en SALTMARSH B and replanting would bring them back ll ia to health. A hectare of saltmarsh can N capture two tonnes of carbon a year and lock it into WETLAND sediments for centuries, but Wetlands can accumulate carbon for centuries, we are losing nearly 100 but in some areas of the UK we have lost over hectares of saltmarsh a year. 90% of our wetland habitat. Restored wetlands We need nature to be Coastal realignment could provide rich habitat, clean water naturally and everywhere again restore much of it, and reduce reduce flood Roberts Matthew flooding and erosion. risk downstream.

Oceans absorb 20-35% of Globally, plants have removed

human-made CO2 emissions 25% of human-made CO2 BLUE every year. Carbon is GREEN emissions. Soils contain incorporated into the tissues of more carbon than is stored in CARBON plants and animals, and later CARBON plants and the atmosphere into mud and sediments. combined. Grey seal: Chris Gomersall/2020Vision. Gannet: David Chapman. Wren: Colin Varndell Varndell Colin Chapman. Wren: David Gannet: Chris Gomersall/2020Vision. seal: Grey

4 | wildlifetrusts.org wildlifetrusts.org | 5 Let nature help What nature can do if given a chance Restoring nature doesn’t just lock up carbon; it delivers multiple other benefits besides

ealthy ecosystems on land world can cope with the climate COASTAL DEFENCES and at sea can absorb vast change that is already happening and Habitats like saltmarsh and seagrass H help protect us from coastal erosion We can deliver quantities of CO2 from the contribute effectively to stabilising it. atmosphere and lock it away as Doing this across a mosaic of and storm surges, while providing For more than a century, The landowners on how best to care for carbon. However, human activities connected habitats will also deliver important nursery areas for fish. Wildlife Trusts have been saving, their land so that it sustains such as intensive arable farming, countless other benefits: protecting and restoring wild wildlife. overgrazing, overfishing and HEALTHIER LIVES places, and bringing people closer to Hawkins Jon We have the know-how and irresponsible development release this FLOOD PROTECTION Woodlands and other wild nature. expertise to work in partnership. stored carbon and drive nature’s Healthy habitats such as protected places clean the air, regulate We are involved in projects to With investment and support from decline. wetlands, restored peatlands, temperature, and improve our health restore and connect habitats across governments, businesses and local As a first step, we urgently need to wildflower-rich grasslands and and wellbeing. the country as part of a Nature communities, we can create real protect important ecosystems so their native woodlands can slow, store Recovery Network, from re-wetting change for nature’s recovery, so that carbon isn’t released and they can and filter water, reducing the risk of NATURAL RESILIENCE peatland to creating saltmarsh and nature-based solutions can play a Thriving ecosystems provide the continue to absorb CO2. We also need flooding downstream and cleaning planting seagrass. We also advise Our ground-up structure means we are the massive role in achieving net zero to put nature into recovery across a water naturally. pollinators, soils, nutrients, food and thousands of farmers and local experts emissions. third of land and sea, so the natural water that sustain us.

Our work on more than 100 Living Landscape projects across the UK shows that restoring nature is sustainable and feasible Lee Beel Lee

6 | wildlifetrusts.org wildlifetrusts.org | 7 Let nature help Four flagship projects

The Wildlife Trusts are taking action to bring nature back across the UK. Here’s a flavour...

Scottish Beavers, Argyll

Sarah Robinson we were one of the lead partners of trials of its kind in Europe. Director of the Scottish Beaver Trial, a pioneering Extensive independent scientific five-year project that saw the licensed monitoring of their impact on the Conservation, release of 16 beavers into Knapdale natural environment paved the Scottish Wildlife Forest, Argyll. way for the Scottish Government Trust “This was one of the largest field to recognise beavers as a native, protected species in Scotland “Beavers are industrious ecosystem in 2019. engineers. Their dams create wetland “Beaver dams boost “Further reinforcement of the habitats that support a wide range of Knapdale beavers has been carried other species, and they slow the flow wildlife, slow the out to boost their numbers and of water, reducing flood risk flow of water, reduce increase genetic diversity. downstream and keeping streams and flood risk and keep “Other Wildlife Trusts around rivers running during droughts. streams and rivers the UK are involved in beaver “The has running during reintroductions, all providing long championed their droughts.” insight into the benefits reintroduction and beavers can bring to people The Great Fen Project will be 18 protection. In May 2009, and wildlife.” square miles of varied wetland habitats bluesky-world.com

The Great Fen Project, Cambridgeshire

Lorna Parker authorities and land managers to of CO2 from being released each rewet farmland and restore 3,700 year through peat loss. Restoration hectares of fen. “Through our Water Works project, Manager, BCN “This will reconnect Holme Fen and our Wildlife Trust is also aiming to Wildlife Trust Woodwalton Fen National Nature change the face of farming in the Reserves, create a huge mosaic of Cambridgeshire fens for the better. wetland habitats for the benefit of We are working with partners and “Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and people and wildlife, reduce the risk local farmers to trial innovative Northamptonshire (BCN) Wildlife of flooding on nearby farmland, wetland farming techniques at the Trust is leading the Great Fen project and save an estimated 325,000 tonnes Great Fen that can help re-wet to create landscape-scale change and the fen and halt and reverse the deliver one of the largest restoration release of carbon. projects of its kind in Europe. “The Water Works project could be “99% of wild fen in Eastern “This huge wetland truly transformative for future has been historically drained to create mosaic will save generations farming in the fens, farmland, leading to the ongoing around 325,000 creating new sources of income release of carbon as dry peaty soils for farmers, protecting food tonnes of CO2 from oxidise or simply blow away. At the being released each supplies and the natural Great Fen near Peterborough, we at year through peat environment, and combating A beaver at Knapdale, Argyll. the Wildlife Trust are working in climate change.” The project has demonstrated partnership with the Environment loss.” how these ecosystem engineers Agency, Natural England, local The Big Picture/Nature Picture Library Picture Picture/Nature The Big benefit people and wildlife

8 | wildlifetrusts.org wildlifetrusts.org | 9 Let nature help

The Yorkshire Peat Partnership

Tim Thom ditches, replant bare areas with up. It also helps regulate water flow Peat Programme mosses and other plants, and reduce and reduces the risk of flooding, Manager, erosion. increasing the resilience of “So far, we have completed communities downstream. Yorkshire Wildlife restoration works on over 30,000 “Many other Wildlife Trusts have Trust hectares of a total 86,000 hectares of similar projects to revive UK Yorkshire’s blanket bog. peatlands, preserving this vital “Yorkshire has 23% of all the UK’s “This vital work can reverse the loss resource into the future. blanket bog, a type of peatland, and of peat and helps keep carbon locked “As well as natural flood Yorkshire’s peatland holds an management and carbon storage, estimated 38 million tonnes of carbon healthy peatlands are amazing in total. However, much of it is in “So far the habitats for extraordinary wildlife, decline – channels were historically including reptiles and carnivorous cut to drain the peatland, and ongoing partnership plants. activities such as grazing and burning has completed “They’re beautiful places to visit too. can continue to cause damage. restoration of over But despite the progress we’re “Since 2009, 30,000 hectares of making, restoring peatlands takes has been leading the Yorkshire Peat blanket bog, out of time and needs a long-term outlook Partnership to restore the blanket bog a total 86,000.” with corresponding long-term policies on a massive scale by surveying the and funding.” habitat and working to block drainage

Leaky barrier at Blocking ditches and Slashpitts Farm eroded gullies helps during rainfall rewet and protect peatland Nick Martin Nick

Upper Sherbourne, Warwickshire

Ian Jelley Director of Natural Flood Management projects on various river catchments across to tackle this problem. Natural flood Warwickshire, the Trust is installing Living management aims to reduce the interventions to slow the flow and Landscapes downstream maximum water retain water in the landscape. These Warwickshire height of a flood (the flood peak) and measures can be as simple as building Wildlife Trust delay the arrival of the flood peak a ‘leaky dam’ in a river or stream, or downstream, increasing the time creating a ‘shallow dish’ in the land to “Scientific evidence shows that available to prepare for floods. hold water during times of heavy climate change will increase the “Working with local landowners rain but remain dry in other times. frequency of extreme weather events, “Fencing off water courses to potentially leading to more droughts reduce erosion from livestock and and floods. “Working with local allowing vegetation to grow longer “In Warwickshire a number of our landowners on river alongside the river bank can communities are already impacted catchments across collectively have a big impact on by flooding and the threat of reducing flood risk. increased regularity of these Warwickshire the “The great thing about all of these occurrences is cause for real concern. Trust is installing ideas is that they provide vital Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is interventions to slow habitat for wildlife too. By working working in partnership with the the flow and retain with nature we can help to mitigate Environment Agency and local water in the landscape.” climate change and bring wildlife authorities in the area to deliver back.” Roberts Matthew

10 | wildlifetrusts.org wildlifetrusts.org | 11 Let nature help A better way to

COAST Our coasts must be manage our land managed to cope with climate change. Coastal Our natural habitats can become long-term carbon stores if they are allowed to function well. This realignment can create will take careful planning, regulation, incentives and good land management. carbon absorbing, species-rich habitats and natural defences against sea level rise and storm surges.

PEATLANDS GRASSLANDS These vast stores of Species-rich grasslands carbon need positive long- are huge carbon stores and term management. Restored when managed carefully, peatlands can capture more e.g. through herb-rich leys carbon, reduce flooding, and sensitive grazing, they clean our water, and allow lock in carbon and boost HEDGEROWS wildlife to thrive. biodiversity. The UK’s hedgerows store carbon above and below ground, and connect habitats across the landscape. We need 40% more hedgerows to help reach net zero by 2050.

WETLANDS Healthy wetlands WOODLANDS store carbon, support We need to protect our wildlife and hold back flood existing woodland and water. Reducing drainage and help it to expand and join up. over-abstraction, the return Semi-natural native woods SOILS of beavers and naturalising store carbon, reduce flood risk, Soil organic rivers will lock up more and improve matter stores more carbon. our wellbeing when we carbon than any other land visit them. system, but is threatened by intensive farming. Crop rotation, cover crops and less ploughing can restore this fundamental asset.

12 | wildlifetrusts.org wildlifetrusts.org | 13 Let nature help

DESIGNATED AREAS Well managed and monitored A better way to Marine Protected Areas are vital for nature’s recovery at sea, and they safeguard important carbon storing habitats like seagrass manage our sea meadows. Effective management of our Marine Protected Areas network, designating a suite of Highly Protected SEAWEED AQUACULTURE Marine Areas and introducing Marine Spatial Planning Sustainable seaweed would integrate all activities to avoid unintentional farms can store carbon and reduce the impacts of ocean harm and maximise benefits, including the ability to acidification. They can also absorb more human-made CO2 emissions. provide habitat and nursery grounds for young fish and crustaceans.

LOCAL TOURISM Caring for and protecting nature can boost the local economy through increased eco-tourism, and improve people’s access to nature, making them happier and healthier.

RETURN OF OCEAN GIANTS Bigger populations of REAL species like whales and PROTECTION basking sharks would store To give marine wildlife more carbon. We need to the best opportunity to protect them from pollution, recover, we need to deliver industrial fishing and a suite of Highly Protected other harmful human Marine Areas with the activities. strictest possible protections. NO-TRAWL POWER CABLES Laying cables for offshore windfarms can damage habitats and sediments. Laying BUBBLE should be unobtrusive and, CURTAINS to prevent damage, trawling Construction at sea near cables should be can cause noise pollution, prohibited. harming species like harbour porpoises. Less impactful methods and noise dampening measures like bubble curtains are essential.

14 | wildlifetrusts.org wildlifetrusts.org | 15 Nature needs our help to recover...

Together, we can make it happen

The Wildlife Trusts have the natural processes and recovering wild of securing 30% of land and sea for experience and reach to deliver places for decades. nature’s recovery. nature-based solutions locally and at Our work on the ground is expert-led We have the skills and knowledge to scale. and guided by Nature Recovery create thriving, connected wild places Together with communities, Network mapping, ensuring projects that support abundant wildlife, lock up landowners, and public and private are delivered in the right place and in a carbon naturally, and provide other partners, we have been restoring joined up way – with the ultimate aim benefits including:

● cleaner air and water, with fewer pollutants such as nitrates, phosphates and particulate matter;

● cost-effective natural flood management and coastal defences;

● delivery of biodiversity ‘net gain’ where losses arise following development;

Luke Massey/2020Vision Luke ● connecting people and nature, for the benefit of their health, wellbeing and enjoyment of life.

The climate and ecological emergency affects us all. You can help The Wildlife Trusts make a real and lasting difference by supporting us to lock up more carbon and make nature’s recovery a reality.

Find out more about nature-based solutions [email protected]