An introduction to the

Kirklees BiodiversityAction Plan

Priority for managing habitats and speciesin the Kirklees district

What is Biodiversity?Biodiversity is short for biological diversity. It refers to the variety of life on earth, from the largestspecies of mammals and biggest of trees, down to the smallest of plants and most microscopic ofbacteria. Humans are part of this web of life.

The Importance ofBiodiversityMany people acknowledge that wildlife isimportant in its own right. However, thediversity of life - biodiversity - is alsoimportant for numerous other reasons relatedto human lifestyle and needs.

For many, wildlife contributes to their quality oflife and its existence is beneficial to humanhealth. We are also dependent uponbiodiversity for our food, for our medicinesand for the materials we use in our everydaylives, from toothpaste to tables. What ishappening to the natural world can alsosound the alarm that tells us all is not wellwith our own living environment.

In addition, a healthy, natural environment is awealth generator. Most of us want to live andwork in an attractive environment and will paya premium to do so. Even more, we want tovisit such areas for relaxation, recuperationand recreation.

Other benefits of managing land forbiodiversity include• Reduced flooding as rain water run-off is

slowed down;• Reduced soil erosion from agricultural land;• Reduced pollution levels in rivers and other

water courses;• Can help to reduce greenhouse gases in

the atmosphere so helping to reduceclimate change;

• Wildlife as a monitor of climate change.

Biodiversity is therefore a key element in anenvironmentally sustainable economy, onethat balances the environmental, social andeconomic impacts of our society. It is also akey element in KirkleesCouncil’s communitystrategy in workingtowards a more‘attractive’environment.

Why a BiodiversityAction Plan?In Kirklees - as across the rest of the UKand the world - wildlife is in decline. Thepopulations of many species are fallingdramatically because their habitats areeither being destroyed or modified in a waythat means wildlife cannot use them.

In some cases, we are over exploitingbiodiversity resources so that ultimately theywill not be available at all - cod in the NorthSea and mahogany trees from the tropics,for example. Also, the impact of geneticengineering is almost impossible to assess.

But not all is doom andgloom!Some things are changing for the better andthe outlook for certain species, which a fewyears ago were in serious decline, is nowhopeful because specific actions were takento reverse declines.

We can repeat these successes with otherspecies and habitats. We should do thisnot just for the sake of wildlife but also forour own quality of life and a truly sustainableeconomy.

A Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) sets out thepriorities for habitats and species and howpractical measures can be implemented toachieve the conservation of our biodiversityheritage.

National and Local Biodiversity Action PlansIn 1993, the UK government consulted with over three hundred organisations throughoutthe UK and held a two day seminar to debate the key issues raised at a BiodiversityConvention. The product of this was the launch of ‘Biodiversity: the UK Action Plan’ in1994.

The report identified 59 broad activities for conservation work over the following 20 years(the ‘59’ steps) and recommended that a steering group be created in order to take thework forward. It also established some fundamental principles for future biodiversityconservation in the UK. These recognised the need for;

• Partnership action which involves people from public, private and voluntary sector.• Targets for species population recovery and habitat restoration.• Co-ordinated policies so that development does not conflict with wildlife conservation.• Developing ways of managing ecological information more effectively.• Gaining the support and understanding of the public for wildlife conservation.Building on these recommendations, Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) weredeveloped to implement conservation action for priority habitats and species, and locallyimportant wildlife sites. The content of LBAPs are informed and guided by national targetsso their implementation is firmly linked to national priorities.

The Kirklees Biodiversity Action Plan has taken on board these ideas and added to themto reflect the distinctiveness of the Kirklees District. This provides a focus for local initiativesand the regional importance of its wildlife.

The Priorities of the Kirklees Biodiversity Action PlanConsiderable work has been undertaken bythe Kirklees Biodiversity Steering Group toidentify the key habitats and species whichshould be prioritised for remedial action. (seeseparate panel for more details about theBiodiversity Steering Group)

Based largely on the priority species identifiedin the UK BAP, but supplemented by speciesof regional importance present in the Kirkleesdistrict, a comprehensive list of over 70different species has been prioritised foraction. Some of these priority species arebeing targeted through Species Action Plans

to protect, enhance and encourage theircontinued existence in the Kirklees area.

The remainder of these priority species tendto be associated with particular types ofhabitat. For this reason, the conservation ofthe priority species is best achieved throughthe implementation of Habitat Action Plans .Within the Habitat Action Plans, many othernon-priority species are also likely to benefit.A summary of those species and habitats forwhich action plans have been produced canbe found in the following section.

Kirklees Priority SpeciesSpecies for which Species Action Plans havebeen developed.

Water Vole

White-clawed crayfish

Great-crested Newt

Red Wood Ant

Floating Water Plantain

Pillwort

Marsh Helleborine

Species where further work is beingundertaken to assess their status inKirklees

Otter - may re-colonise our rivers inthe next few years

Dormouse- a small population may bepresent in the district

Killarney Fern - could be present within thedistrict

Also a number of insects and fungi are beingconsidered as they have been known to bepresent but have not been recorded recently.

Kirklees Priority HabitatsHabitats given priority status and for which action plans have been produced

Blanket BogUpland HeathUpland Oak WoodlandUpland Mixed Ash WoodlandAncient WoodlandLowland Acid GrasslandSpecies-rich Hedgerows

Species-rich Grassland (Hay Meadows)Lowland HeathReedbedCereal Field MarginsScrublandSemi Natural GrasslandRiverine habitats

Habitats for which Action Plans have been DevelopedThe Biodiversity Action Plan is focusing its work on managing and improving key priority habitatsfor the benefit of plant and animal species living within these areas. With this approach, managinga particular habitat can bring benefits to many species, beyond the priority species.

In addition to the UK priority habitats, Scrubland, Wet pasture and Rough Grassland are importantfor the extensive variety of life that they support. Although no specific UK action plans have beendeveloped for these habitats, they are regarded as important local habitats.

Blanket BogThe wettest parts of the UK are important inglobal terms for the development of blanketbog. In Kirklees this habitat is found on thehigh moorland plateau, and is some of themost south westerly in Europe. Thevegetation consists of acid loving plants andmosses, which help create the peaty soils.The habitat is important for a range ofbreeding birds such as the golden plover.

HeathlandThe UK has a significant proportion ofEuropean heathland. In Kirklees it mainlyoccurs in the dry moorland slopes where

water quickly drains away. The vegetation isdominated by heather and bilberry providingan ideal breeding habitat for a variety of birdspecies. Heathland in more lowland areasoften has a greater number of species.

WoodlandsRemaining woodlands occur frequently onsteep valley sides within the Kirklees area,particularly in the south west of the district.Those which have retained their semi-naturalcharacter often have a rich diversity of wildlife.Although attractive at any time of year, thosein the lowlands are at their best in spring whenbluebells are in flower.

Species-rich hedgerowsAncient hedgerows tend to be the mostspecies-rich and, if well managed, may havemany species normally associated withwoodlands. They are important for wildlifespecies which are on the UK BiodiversityAction Plan priority list and can form importantcorridors between other habitats, so thatwildlife does not become isolated in particularareas.

Meadows A meadow full of wildflowers is one of themost spectacular sites in the Britishcountryside. Meadow characteristics varydepending upon the soil type and where theyare. Hay meadows are important for farmlandbirds and mammals such as skylarks andbrown hares, as well as numerous insects.Those on upland farms may be importantfeeding areas for the threatened twite.

Lowland dry acid grasslandThis habitat is often found mixed withheathland. The dry, acid soils are low innutrients and distinctive plant communitiesdevelop, which are tolerant of such conditions.Some of these can be species-rich. In themore extreme soils, even the tolerant plantsmay struggle to survive, in which case mossesand lichens often thrive. Some of theinvertebrates which occur in acid grasslandare specialist species which do not occur inother types of grassland.

Cereal field marginsCereal fields once harboured a great variety ofplants and insects and were strikinglycolourful. They offered cover and food forfarmland birds and mammals. In order to helpfarmland wildlife such as the grey partridge,efforts are being made to recreate similarconditions around field margins. Cerealgrowing in Kirklees occurs mostly in the eastof the district.

ReedbedsReedbeds are wetlands dominated by reedsand can support highly specialised species.Within Kirklees reedbeds tend to be small andisolated although there is scope to createlarger areas of the habitat in the main rivervalleys, particularly along the Calder.

ScrublandScrub consists of open grassland with ascattering of shrubs and possibly a few trees.The density of shrub cover may vary greatlyand there may even be wet areas and pondspresent. As well as butterflies, moths andother insects a range of priority species usescrubby areas. Where ponds are present,scrub is good habitat for amphibians.

Semi Natural GrasslandsSemi natural grassland is often characterisedby the presence of rushes, sedges andmarshy areas. It is particularly important for arange of priority species, like breedinggrassland birds. This is especially the casewhere such habitats occur around the edgesof moorland.

Riverine habitatsRivers form an important, and often diversehabitat particularly if bordered by other semi-natural areas. Also, they are frequently themost significant wildlife corridors throughurban areas. Through improved and carefulmanagement we can make our waterwaysmuch more attractive to both wildlife andpeople.

Species for which Action Plans have beendevelopedSpecies action plans have been produced for 7 species in the Kirklees BAP.Over time, the Kirklees BAP will be updated as more information becomesavailable. Species Action Plans have been developed for the following;

Water VoleThe water vole inhabits small water courses,burrowing into the banks and feeding on thesurrounding vegetation. In the UK, thepopulation has declined by over 90% inrecent decades. It is on the brink ofextinction in Kirklees, primarily due to thepresence of the North American mink, whichpreys on it.

White-clawed CrayfishAlthough often associated with rivers, withinKirklees this species occurs in some pondsand the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. It isgenerally active at night and during the day itshelters in the stone retaining walls of canalsand mill ponds. The species is threatenedbecause of the introduction of the NorthAmerican crayfish which is now also foundwithin Kirklees.

Red Wood AntThis species is more widespread in southernEngland. Many smaller colonies in the northof England have been lost and the onlyexisting nests in Yorkshire and Humbersideoccur in Kirklees. It is found in woodland andbuilds large nests from pine needles. Theants farm aphids and feed on the honeydew.

Floating Water PlantainFloating Water Plantain is a scarce Europeanfreshwater plant. In Kirklees it is abundant inplaces, particularly around the canal system,where British Waterways has undertaken anextensive conservation programme. It growsin more open aquatic habitats and its survivalis dependent upon some degree ofdisturbance. At some sites it has been lostbecause of the presence of more invasiveplant species.

Great Crested NewtThis large newt (around 125mm long) is theleast common newt species and is speciallyprotected. Although it breeds in ponds, thesurrounding habitats are also vitally important.It is known to occur at a few sites in Kirklees,but there may be some colonies which remain‘undiscovered’.

PillwortPillwort is an internationally threatened specieswith a stronghold in the UK. However, it hasbeen declining rapidly since 1970 and hasbeen lost from many counties. It has beendiscovered at one marshland site in Kirkleeswhere its survival is threatened by Crassula,an invasive plant from Australia.

Marsh HelleborineMarsh Helleborine is an orchid, whichnormally grows on alkaline soils. Kirkleesholds the only known plants within WestYorkshire, where it occurs within a chemicalworks, growing in lime wastes disposed of inthe past. Orchids are frequently found arounddisused quarries, industrial sites and other‘brownfield’ sites

Photo: British Waterways

Marsh Helleborine

What Action is beingimplemented?A considerable number of sites have beenidentified which, with agreement of land ownersand through careful management of their habitats,are helping to protect, conserve and encouragemany of the Kirklees priority species and habitats.

The type of work being undertaken includes:

• Surveys to identify the whereabouts of priorityspecies and habitats within the district and themapping of all this information.

• Work to increase the legal protection of habitatsand species within kirklees by looking atdesignating more areas.

• Specific conservation work on priority speciesidentified within the action plan to ensure theircontinued survival.

• Work with farmers to improve the managementfor wildlife on farmland.

• Work with a variety of landowners andbusinesses across the district to bring aboutimproved management of important habitatsand help them access funds to enable this tohappen.

• Work with numerous community groups toimprove the management of urban greenspacefor wildlife.

• Work with schools and young people to foster amore responsible attitude to wildlife in the future.

• Monitoring the impact of conservation work toensure that it is effective and beneficial to thetarget species and habitats.

• Kirklees Council is also exploring ways ofimproving the management of its land forwildlife.

New sites are continually being assessed for thedevelopment of management plans, and all siteswith potential for management are being mappedusing a Geographical Information System (GIS).This allows the presence of priority habitats andspecies to be quickly evaluated.

By May 2002, 390 Hectares of land had beenassessed for its wildlife potential while £492,000 ofexternal funding had been brought into Kirklees forpractical action to encourage biodiversity.

Mapping Habitats andWildlifeEssential for the development andmonitoring of the BAP, iscomprehensive information on thestatus and location of habitats andspecies within the Kirklees District. Useof a Geographical Information Systemallows sophisticated analysis of a widerange of information, from the locationof individual species to district widehabitat mapping from aerialphotographs.

The GIS is an essential tool in supplyinginformation for strategic managementof the BAP. It gives summaryinformation for the whole of the KirkleesDistrict 409Km2 based on a grid of 2kmx 2km squares. In addition, specific sitemaps can be produced to aid in theproduction of detailed site managementplans.

The Kirklees Biodiversity Steering GroupThe Kirklees BAP is managed by a steering group which includesrepresentatives of those groups listed below.

To carry out the work which needs to be done, we need the help of manypeople and organisations, in particular landowners, farmers, foresters andother land managers.

Encouragingly, some sites are already being managed sensitively forwildlife, helping us to meet our targets.

Everyone can help to make space or to provide for wildlife, in gardens,parks and work place as well as in the wider environment - all it takes issharing a little knowledge and making a commitment!

Organisations Working to Protect andEnhance Biodiversity in KirkleesBTCVBritish WaterwaysColne Valley TrustDenby Dale Parish Environment TrustEnglish NatureEnvironment AgencyEnvironmental AllianceEnvironment ConcernHuddersfield BirdwatchersFarming and Wildlife Advisory Group

Forestry CommissionKirklees CouncilKirklees Wildlife and Landscape Advisory ForumNational TrustRoyal Society for Protection Birds (RSPB)Spen Bird GroupWhite Rose ForestYorkshire Wildlife TrustYorkshire Forum

Further information about biodiversity and theUK Biodiversity Action Plan can be found atthe following websites:

www.ukbap.org.uk - information aboutnational habitat and species action plans andcontacts for local biodiversity action plans.

www.english-nature.org.uk - from EnglishNature’s website you can access data aboutdesignated sites.

www.ukbiodiversity.net - the website for theNational Biodiversity Network. Includes a‘species gateway’ to access informationabout particular species.

www.yhbf.org - the Yorkshire andHumberside Biodiversity Forum website.

We are particularly keen to hear from farmersand other landowners who would like advicein managing their land for wildlife. For adviceand any further information, contact:

Jeff Keenlyside, Kirklees Council BiodiversityCo-ordinator, 23 Estate Buildings, RailwayStreet, Huddersfield, HD1 1JY

Tel: 01484 223568Email: jeff.keenlyside@kirklees.gov.uk

Jessica Duffy, BTCV 51 Byram Arcade, Westgate, HuddersfieldHD1 1ND

Tel: 01484 420751 Email: j.duffy@btcv.org.uk