A spatial conservation plan for the UK
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Biology
Abstract
Protecting land in nature reserves is a cornerstone of conservation policy. Recent initiatives have resulted in a need to review and improve the protected area network across the UK, but a key problem is identifying where the network of protected/conservation sites could be improved to increase its comprehensiveness. New Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) tools are now available to identify effective ways to expand the protected area network and reconcile conservation priorities with other demands, but they have not yet been formally applied to terrestrial environments in the UK. Recently, new challenges have arisen that must be included within SCP: how to incorporate climate-driven changes in species distribution, or the identification of climatic refugia? What is the influence of incorporating ecosystem services? Are priorities different if we consider functional, not taxonomic, diversity?
This project addresses both fundamental questions about how we should prioritise conservation areas, and the highly applied question of where new conservation areas in the UK might be most beneficial. Working with project partners in the statutory conservation bodies across the UK (including CASE partner, Natural England where the student will spend at least 3 months) will give the student direct routes to translate their research findings into policy and conservation practice. The student will gain experience of species distribution modelling, biodiversity and biogeography as well as SCP practice, developing highly desirable quantitative analysis skills. Working as part of a lively research group of spatial ecologists and conservation scientists with established links to the CASE partner, the student will gain a broad understanding of modern conservation science.
This project addresses both fundamental questions about how we should prioritise conservation areas, and the highly applied question of where new conservation areas in the UK might be most beneficial. Working with project partners in the statutory conservation bodies across the UK (including CASE partner, Natural England where the student will spend at least 3 months) will give the student direct routes to translate their research findings into policy and conservation practice. The student will gain experience of species distribution modelling, biodiversity and biogeography as well as SCP practice, developing highly desirable quantitative analysis skills. Working as part of a lively research group of spatial ecologists and conservation scientists with established links to the CASE partner, the student will gain a broad understanding of modern conservation science.
People |
ORCID iD |
Colin Beale (Primary Supervisor) | |
Charles Cunningham (Student) |
Publications
Cunningham CA
(2021)
Translating area-based conservation pledges into efficient biodiversity protection outcomes.
in Communications biology
Cunningham C
(2021)
The effectiveness of the protected area network of Great Britain
in Biological Conservation
Cunningham C
(2023)
Reconciling diverse viewpoints within systematic conservation planning
in People and Nature
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NE/R012164/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2021 | |||
1948995 | Studentship | NE/R012164/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2021 | Charles Cunningham |
Description | The current network of area-based conservation measures in the UK, and globally, is not delivering enough positive outcomes to prevent species declines. Systematic conservation planning can potentially assist in improving area-based conservation by providing a powerful tool for evaluating performance of protected areas. Here I use spatial prioritisation methods to evaluate protected area effectiveness within Britain over time, investigate the impact of a government pledge for biodiversity in the UK, and test how systematic approaches can be expanded to include different perspectives on conservation and restoration potential of landscapes. I find although the existing protected area network is delivering some positive outcomes on species persistence, it is not effectively buffering wider negative regional trends. I identify improving topographic heterogeneity of the network, as well as size and connectivity of sites as key to improving long-term effectiveness. I also find that using British protected landscapes to meet area-based conservation targets does not deliver for nature efficiently. It is important to include a wide range of voices to make sure that area-based conservation delivers for everyone, and here I develop methods to reconcile different perspectives equitably. I find that both inclusive and pluralist approaches can deliver coherent spatial plans balancing a number of feature coverage trade-offs. Finally, I use the species pool concept to demonstrate that habitat restoration can be considered and balanced alongside existing priorities, and identify where landscape recovery can contribute most value to the existing network. The work demonstrates that systematic conservation planning provides a powerful and versatile tool to assist policy makers to deliver effective area-based conservation. |
Exploitation Route | The research highlights the benefits and flexibility of a systematic approach to conservation, reinforcing the importance of using this approach in UK national policy. |
Sectors | Environment |
Description | Informing discussions within Natural England on the importance and usefulness of implementing systematic conservation planning |
First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
Sector | Environment |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | Present research at IUCN UK Protected Areas Working Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 10 minute presentation of recent published work relating to the UK government 30by30 pledge at the first meeting of the IUCN UK Protected Areas Working Group. Answered questions on applying systematic planning methods to conservation network design, and contributed to wider discussion around UK conservation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Press release for 30by30 pledge evaluation research |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Press release for academic paper, released on University of York website |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2021/research/conservation-best-place-rare-species/ |