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Environmental Change
Network
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The proposed Environmental Change Biodiversity NetworkClimate change and air pollution are likely to cause substantial changes in ecosystems. It is important that these changes are monitored, so that policy and management techniques can be developed to minimise adverse impacts on biodiversity on the basis of reliable scientific evidence. Plans for a new UK research programme and network of sites to address this issue have been developed in a project led by the NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. The proposed network - the Environmental Change Biodiversity Network - will be linked to the existing Environmental Change Network, substantially increasing its spatial coverage across the UK. The objective of the Environmental Change Biodiversity Network (ECBN) is to establish and maintain a co-ordinated UK-wide network of long-term monitoring sites that increases our ability to detect, discriminate, understand and predict the effects of climate change and air pollution on biodiversity. A report1 describing the planned network was prepared in 2006 (the Executive Summary is also available). This was followed in 2008 by the development of a business development plan2 and business case3.
What kind of sites will be included? The proposal is for a network consisting primarily of National Nature Reserves. However, other sites with stable ownership and management could be included. The site network is intended to progressively expand across the UK over the coming years. A map showing the sites originally identified as suitable for inclusion in the proposed network is available.
Benefits of the new network The ECBN network will inform the UK's implementation of European legislation such as the Habitats Directive and Birds Directive, by providing information on the causes of change in protected areas. In particular, it will contribute to the knowledge base required for the development of new policy instruments aimed at enabling biodiversity conservation to adapt to climate change and minimising the impacts of air pollution. It will also provide valuable information about the state of the individual sites in the network.
Developing the network: progress to date Whilst funding is still being sought for the full implementation of the ECBN network, some progress towards establishing the network of sites has taken place. Countryside Council for Wales and Natural England have started to establish ECBN monitoring at some of their National Nature Reserves, and they are striving to develop these 'in-country' networks in a coordinated way. By August 2009, the number of sites in the England-Wales network was 33, including the ECN sites on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and NNRs. Discussions are occurring in Scotland for proposals to set up a further seven sites in the country. Discussions with potential partners in Northern Ireland are at an early stage. The data from most of the Automatic Weather Stations established in Wales as part of ECBN can be remotely accessed by CCW staff. A map of the Welsh ECBN sites is available here.
Who has been involved in this work? The following organisations have been involved in the development of the ECBN: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Natural England (formerly English Nature), Countryside Council for Wales, NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, British Trust for Ornithology; Environment Agency; Forest Research; Joint Nature Conservation Committee; Macaulay Institute; North Wyke Research; Rothamsted Research; Scottish Environment Protection Agency; Scottish Government (formerly the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department); Scottish Natural Heritage; University of Liverpool; University of Oxford; University of York. The development of the initial network proposal was led by CEH, whilst ADAS led the development of the Business Development Plan and Business Case.
How can I find out more? Further details about the proposed network may be obtained from: Dr Andrew Sier
References 1Morecroft, M.D., Sier, A.R.J., Elston, D.A., Nevison, I.M., Hall, J.R., Rennie, S.C., Parr, T.W. and Crick, H.Q.P. (2006). Targeted Monitoring of Air Pollution and Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. 78pp. Download 2Parker, J., Critchley, N and Morecroft, M. (2008). The Environmental Change Biodiversity Network Business Development Plan: Final Report. ADAS UK Ltd. 44pp. Download 3Parker, J., Temple, M., Morecroft, M., Holmes, M. and Critchley, N. (2008). The Environmental Change Biodiversity Network Business Case: Final Report. ADAS UK Ltd. 49 pp. Download
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