Biodiversity is a term used to describe the full variety of life. It includes all the different species, the variation within those species and the habitats in which they live.
Humans are an integral part of biodiversity. They have a huge effect on it, both positive and negative.
Genetic diversity
This is a term used to describe the variation that is present within a particular species. It is what makes each individual different. In most species this genetic variation is essential and is what allows a species to adapt to changing conditions, overcome disease and forms the basis for evolution.
Conserving the genetic variation within a species is a very important part of ensuring that species’ long term survival.
Species diversity
Over the years, many attempts have been made to define what makes a species and it is not an easy question to answer. For every definition of a species you can usually find an organism that doesn’t really fit.
The field naturalist has to identify species according to how they look or behave. This is not ideal because genetic variation means that many individuals within a species can look very different and often males, females and young can also look dissimilar. On the other hand different species such as the Willow Warbler and the Chiffchaff appear very similar in the field but have totally different songs and lifestyles.
Preventing the extinction of species is probably what most people think of when they think of nature conservation. There are two kinds of extinction:
Local extinction is the loss of a species from a patch of habitat. Sometimes it is a normal part of the species existence and it can be recolonised via the movement of individuals from a nearby patch. However, it is often much more of a problem and barriers to movement will prevent recolonisation. Species can be reintroduced into an area where they have been extinct but it is important to assess the reasons behind the initial decline to ensure it can avoided in the future.
Global extinction is when a species is lost completely.
In reality all species rely on the interaction with other species and their environment. In order to conserve species the focus has to centre around protecting habitat and all the life forms that live that environment.
Ecosystem diversity
Ecosystem diversity it extremely important. Animals, plants, fungi and bacteria living in one place with the same natural resources and dealing with the same set of challenges form an ecosystem. The difficulty is defining the boundaries of this ecosystem. In the Lee Valley Regional Park, wet woodlands, floodplain grasslands, reedbeds and rivers are idenitfies, but in nature there are no distinct borders between these habitats and they gradually merge from one to another. What’s more, over time the borders shift and open water becomes reedbed, which becomes woodland or, if it’s grazed, grassland. However, whilst it is important to define these separate habitats because of their different threats, it is equally as important to recognise the transition between them.
Conservation of Lee Valley Regional Park’s wildlife and habitats is directed by the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). The BAP is prepared and updated following national guidelines. Local Biodiversity Action Plans help to deliver national conservation priorities but they also respond to the local importance of certain habitats and species.
The BAP is for the Regional Park and sets out the targets, aims and aspirations of all partners and stakeholders with an interest in enhancing biodiversity within the Regional Park boundaries. It also describes how targets within the Biodiversity Action Plans for Hertfordshire, Essex, London and the UK will be implemented.
The Authority is also working on a document that will set out the specific role in the conservation of biodiversity in the Regional Park.
Habitat Action Plans (HAP) have been prepared for rivers and streams, open water, floodplain grassland and fen, wet woodland and the built environment . Species Action Plans (SAP) have been prepared for Otter, Water Vole, Bittern, Early Marsh Orchid, Kingfisher and bats. Each of these action plans are implemented by smaller working groups made up of partners and stakeholders. Having set priorities for action in the Regional Park, targets for each of the habitat and species have been included. All targets are realistic, measurable, set against defined timescales and based on the best available data set within the wider context of the region and linked to other local BAPs.
The specific targets relating to these action plans will be maintained on the national Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS)
http://www.ukbap-reporting.org.uk/ where visitors to the BARS website will be able to view them. An annual report on progress will also be posted on this website.