THE ESSEX BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN In much of Essex we can still enjoy a great richness of wildlife. Bluebell woods , open meadows with butterflies, birds in our urban gardens, river valleys winding through farmland, and a spectacular coastline .Wild animals and plants surrounding us in our countryside and gardens enhance our quality of life and, together with the habitats and communities they form, help us define what we mean by Essex. This is the biodiversity of Essex ; we so easily take this for granted but action is required if it is to be maintained and enhanced. What is BIODIVERSITY? “Biodiversity : the variety of life.- Biodiversity is all living things, from the tiny garden ant to the giant redwood tree. You will find biodiversity everywhere, in window boxes and wild woods, roadsides and rainforests, snow fields and seashore .” ( Biodiversity : The UK Steering Group Report 1995) Biological Diversity, or biodiversity, is the variety of life that is all around us and all over the world. It encompasses all living things from microscopic organisms to the largest trees. Not just exotic, rare and endangered plants and animals are included, but also those that are found in back gardens, parks and ponds. Biodiversity is also the assemblages of species and their surroundings that we call habitats. Biodiversity is everywhere and we rely on it for our survival. Global Biodiversity and the Rio Challenge In June 1992 leaders of over 150 countries gathered together in Rio de Janeiro for the ‘Earth Summit’. At this conference environmental issues and concerns were addressed, including the loss of the world’s biodiversity. As a result The Convention on Biological Diversity was signed committing all the countries to act to conserve and enhance their biodiversity to contribute to the global resource. The UK government was one of these signatories and began to fulfil their commitment in 1993 when they published the UK Action Plan after encouragement and pressure from environmental organisations. By 1995 The UK Biodiversity Steering Group had published action plans for many species and habitats detailing how they were to be protected, sustained and increased. Think Globally, Act Locally It is as result of local action that species and habitats are ultimately conserved or lost. Therefore if many of the national action plans are be to implemented successfully a lot of work has to take place at a local level, and Essex is no exception. Local biodiversity action plans (or BAPs) can be much more detailed than national plans and identify specific work in specific areas. They can concentrate on species and habitats that are confined to, or are characteristic of an area as well as those that have declined regionally, nationally or globally. If many local action plans are successfully implemented it will ensure a real variety of life in the UK for generations to come. People who live and work in Essex can play their part. Biodiversity in Essex Essex is a large English county with one of the highest populations. Being located in the south east of England in close proximity to London the county is under constant pressure from development associated with large populations and industry, in addition to the pressures associated with intensive agriculture. However, Essex has a wealth of natural resources and contributes significantly to national and international biodiversity. Below are some of the important habitats for wildlife in Essex: The Coast As well as being one of the longest of any English county, the Essex coast is also a very important habitat type for wildlife. Along river estuaries, inlets and creeks this landscape includes saltmarsh, mudflats, sand and shingle banks, together with associated coastal grassland with ditches, sea walls and borrowdykes. The majority of the coast enjoys national and international protection in recognition of its outstanding nature conservation value. The Essex coastline is particularly important for waders and wildfowl, for example up to 20% of the world population of dark-bellied brent geese can be present on the coast in the winter months. Woodlands Woodland all over Britain has been influenced by human activity since Neolithic times. Currently 5.7% of Essex is covered by woodland and although this does not sound a large amount, a lot of what remains is varied and of high quality. Woodland in the county ranges between ancient hornbeam coppice, ash maple and hazel woods on chalky boulder clay, rare small leaved lime woods and historic forests such as Epping and Hainault. There are many fungi, plants, invertebrates, birds and mammals associated with woodlands, all of which are part of biodiversity in Essex. Farmland Around 65% of Essex is currently managed as farmland and farming in some form will remain the main land use in the county for the foreseeable future. This is a huge area, so if action is to be taken to protect and increase biodiversity in the county, the way in which this habitat is managed is extremely important. Once common birds, the tree sparrow and corn bunting are now on the brink of extinction in Essex and many arable “weeds” are now valued rarities. Freshwater Hundreds of miles of river wind their way through Essex. This includes wide main rivers and smaller tributaries, along which much wildlife is present. Water- loving animals and plants can thrive along and in these corridors if the rivers and the surrounding land is managed sensitively and the water both sufficient and unpolluted. Standing water in the form of reservoirs like Abberton and Hanningfield, and ponds in gardens, parks and farmland are also important habitats for wildlife in Essex. Urban habitats Within urban areas there can be important places for wildlife. Gardens, ponds, gravel pits, bare ground associated with industrial development and town parks are just some of the places in which biodiversity can thrive. Being close to wildlife and green spaces is important for the health of people who live and work in urban areas, and involving local people in the management of habitats on their doorsteps is an important way to spread the word about biodiversity and the need to act to conserve it. Geology, Climate and Natural Areas The county’s climate is often considered to be more akin to that of mainland Europe than other parts of Britain. It is characterised by low rainfall, warm summers and cool winters. To some extent climate controls which species can persist in an area, but the underlying geology of a site can be more important in determining what vegetation is present. In general the geology of Essex is that of clays often with sand and gravel above. In two areas of the county, the north west corner and the area around Grays the chalk is at the surface imparting its characteristic influence on the landscape and wildlife. The Natural Area approach to mapping England defines areas with similar wildlife, natural features and landscapes. These areas are not restricted to county and other administrative boundaries : within Essex there are five Natural Areas; Greater Thames Estuary, London Basin, East Anglian Plain , East Anglian Chalk and Suffolk Coast and Heaths. The Biodiversity Action Plan Process in Essex The Essex Biodiversity Action Plan (EBAP) is a result of excellent co-operation and communication between nature conservation organisations, local authorities, statutory agencies, voluntary interest groups, the private sector and individuals. The process began in 1997 when the Association of Essex Councils hosted an Essex Sustainability Conference. This highlighted the need for a co-ordinated approach to nature conservation within the County. A Steering Group was formed to produce the Essex Biodiversity Action Plan and a number of species and habitats were chosen to focus action. Species and habitats that occur in Essex were selected from a national list of plans, together with some extra ones that are characteristic or indicative of the Essex countryside. Members of the steering group with expert knowledge were chosen to write specific plans, and subsequently included comments and information from other local experts. Once drafted, these plans were sent out for consultation and subsequent comments were incorporated. The results are the action plans in the following section. Some districts, boroughs or unitary authorities may feel that the best way to implement the county action plans is to formulate more detailed local plans, and this process has indeed started in some areas. The County action plans were designed to be translated into specific action at the local level, and for districts/boroughs with fewer available resources, this seems to be the more appropriate next step. In an effort to link the EBAP to Local Agenda 21 (LA21) initiatives in the county and to seek community involvement, flagship species were highlighted for each local authority area. These species may be one of the county BAP species, or one that has a particular affinity with a certain area of Essex. It is hoped that successful community activities and local media attention about the whole BAP process can be achieved using these species. A list of the flagship species for each area is included How To Use The Plan The action plans are colour coded to make the EBAP easier to use. Mammals - buff, Birds - blue, Other vertebrates - gold, Invertebrates - lilac, Trees and plants - green, Habitats - yellow. The map in each plan shows an outline of Essex and all the local authority boundaries (at low water mark) and highlights the districts in which the species or habitat occurs. The following map indicates the location of each of the local authorities within the County. Map showing Essex County and Local Authority Boundaries Uttlesford Braintree Colchester Tendring Harlow Chelmsford Maldon Epping Forest Brentwood Rochford Basildon Castle Southend Point Thurrock 018638 At the end of each plan is a section ‘Proposed Action with Lead Agencies’ which lists all the actions needed to implement the plan with those agencies involved.