We have explored the ‘Forces for Change’ affecting biodiversity via consultation, and a review of key documents including the Nature Recovery Plan and the Local Nature Recovery Strategies covering the National Landscape area; the Landscape Character Assessment and the Climate Adaptation risk assessment.
From this we have synthesised the following:
Changes in agricultural practice and moorland management
Pressures
- Agricultural specialisation, intensification, drainage and farm amalgamation will likely result in a loss of biodiversity via habitat loss and fragmentation
- Fertiliser use reducing biodiversity both on and off agricultural land
- Potential increase in invasive species such as bracken and gorse
- Lack of management of field hedgerows and the ageing of hedgerow trees
- Lack of availability, uncertainty and consequent lack of commitment from farmers/landowners to signing up to new or long-term agreements (CSHT and SFI) – leading to less provision for nature and no new opportunities to improve land for nature Increase in pheasant and partridge rearing, feeding and shooting on increasingly higher land – introduction of pens, feeding stations, and quad bike use, creates disturbance to other birds, and an increase in pests and predators
- Reduction in shooting tenants, leading to loss of gamekeepers and cuts in predator management and potential increase in wildfires
- Increase in bracken on slopes due to reductions in stocking density and inability to use herbicides, colonising the edges of dry peat where no trees are present – leading to a lack of diversity and loss of peat soils
- Potential impact of increased numbers of gulls on SSSI and SPA condition, with concerns expressed by some stakeholders regarding issues for farmers, ground nesting breeding birds and nutrient enrichment of the blanket bog. Lowland dairy farming practices can be very intensive and provide fewer opportunities for nature, e.g. at field margins
- Pressure for more commercial forestry and tree planting
- New limitations on the replanting of trees on peat leads to reduction of land available for commercial forestry
- Agricultural run off can cause pollution, nutrient enrichment and increased sedimentation of water environments
- Continued and increased threats to ground nesting birds by a variety of predatory species and continued impacts of some farming practice
Opportunities
- Grant aid for peatland restoration
- Incentives for hedgerow and woodland creation
- Natural flood management
- Riparian and clough planting
- Establishment of new orchards
- Introduction of sustainable drainage systems
- Creation of ponds and scrapes
- Improved roadside verge management
- Private investment opportunities
- Sharing of best practice amongst restoration contractors, land managers and advisers
- Scope to conserve and enhance the moorlands with appropriate environmental stewardship management regimes such as stock grazing management, grip blocking and burning agreements
- Management of moorland habitats and ecosystems to support birds and wildlife is incentivised, specifically in relation sensitive sites e.g. Bowland Fells SSSI and SPA.
- Grow the use and support of regenerative agriculture techniques which support nature recovery, and support for grassland restoration and nature friendly farming
Impact of Climate Change
Pressures
- Change to the species composition of habitats
- Increased risk and frequency of flooding
- Increased risk of moorland fires
- Potential increase in soil erosion due to sudden downpours and weakened soil structure
- Hotter, drier summers, leading to reduced ground water and drying out of peat bog habitats; also impacts on trees and woodlands, watercourses and wetlands
- Increased presence of heather beetle due to fewer frosts, this can expose bare peat to wind, rain and erosion
- Some species are moving north (e.g. ring ouzel) and may fail to breed in Bowland in future
- Increased incidence of extreme weather events, often in combination, e.g. drought, heavy rains and strong winds
- Warmer, wetter winters affecting growing season, germination, and the spread of pests and diseases as well as waterlogging of soils, and direct impacts on e.g. hibernation periods and breeding seasons of some species
- Reduced carbon storage in soils, carbon stored in vegetation and reduced ability of woodlands to store carbon in future
- Increased incidence of pests and diseases
Opportunities
- Appropriate management of blanket bogs, bare peat restoration and peatland improvement will maintain and enhance the biodiversity as well as the carbon sequestration function of these important habitats
- Increased opportunity/acceptance for planting non native tree species in the face of pests and diseases affecting native species, and of being better suited to warmer drier climate
- Availability of private finance and investment to support restoration and management of habitats
Development and Recreation
Pressures
- Destruction and fragmentation of habitats
- Unsympathetic building renovation can destroy nesting and perch sites for birds
- Unsympathetic lighting can affect Dark Skies and opportunities for nocturnal species to roost and feed
- Accumulation of small scale farm and village developments can encroach on habitats
- Introduction of shooting tracks on moorland can cause multiple and multi-faceted issues to plants and animals and hydrological fragmentation Increased population and ageing water infrastructure, plus increase in storm events can overwhelm the sewage system and cause pollution incidents
- Erosion of soils and sensitive habitats
- Increased demand for parking space, formal and informal, leading to loss of habitats
- Increase in human and dog population and walking activity leading to disturbance of ground nesting birds, problems with dog poo and flea treatments contaminating habitats
- Anthelmintics (worm treatments) have an impact on soil health through their impact on invertebrates and thereby impact on wading bird food supply. Also impact soil and water quality
Opportunities
- Biodiversity Net Gain
- Community Action, e.g. nest boxes for birds and bats
- Sensitive development creating new areas of woodland, dry stone walls, hedgerows and wildflower meadows
- Positive visitor experiences benefiting the local economy and support for nature conservation
- Wildlife and experiential tourism
