HOW CAN ECOSITES PROMOTE THE CONSERVATION OF NATURE? Peter
Harper Centre for Alternative Technology Slide 2 WHO ELSE IS OUT
THERE? Ecocentres can certainly play a role, but they should be
aware that there are many existing centres already dedicated to
nature conservation There are in fact several parallel networks of
physical centres and organisations Overall, they are
better-established, and better- funded, than the Ecocentres
Constructive links need to be made Slide 3 Ecosites Botanic gardens
Field study centres Conservation organisations National parks
Nature reserves Ecological and conservation theory Museums
Ecovillages Education Energy Planning Building Waste handling
Economics Universities Sustainability movement SOME SISTER NETWORKS
Internationa l networks Slide 4 INDIRECT EFFECTS In promoting
sustainability, EcoCentres are likely to reduce pressure on natural
systems This is particularly true for non-local systems, such as
tropical habitats, species vulnerable to rapid climate change But
occasionally it could work the other way, through conflict with
wider policies, especially with respect to energy, e.g. support for
tidal barrages, hydro schemes or biomass plantations or opposition
to nuclear power Slide 5 ECOCENTRES COULD FUNCTION AS FIELD STUDY
CENTRES Especially where there is no real FSC nearby Could
introduce general features of natural ecosystems and ecology,
conservation Especially live activities for children Act as a
gateway to the local ecosystems provide maps and directions, study
guides show real samples of local habitat Slide 6 Hide with CCTV in
nest boxes Slide 7 Tropical biomes at Eden Project Slide 8
MONITORING THE IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT Ecocentres are examples of
intensive local development processes They are ideally placed to
monitor the effects on pre-existing habits, species and ecological
patterns A baseline survey is compared with subsequent
observations, and with hinterland as control Comparisons with
similar sites and developments can be made Over time, could have
important policy implications should there be deliberate measures
of habitat creation? What features of the development process had
what effects? A continuing tradition of careful observation and
data collection on one site is a useful component of building up a
wider picture of ecological change Slide 9 LOSSES? Chough
Pyrrocorax pyrrocorax Raven Corvus corax Parsley Fern Cryptogramma
crispa Royal Fern Osmunda regalis NATURAL GAINS Lesser horseshoe
bat Rhinolophus hipposideros Broad-leaved helleborine Epipactis
helleborine Toothwort Lathraea squamaria Dark mullein Verbascum
nigrum Green figwort Scrophularia umbrosa OCCASIONAL SIGHTINGS
Otter Lutra lutra Pine marten Martes martes Hazel dormouse
Muscardinus avellanarius Lesser snapdragon Misopates orontium
NATURALISED NATIVES Soapwort Saponaria officinalis Ragged Robin
Lychnis flos-cuculi Jacobs ladder Polemonium caeruleum Bogbean
Menyanthes trifoliata Shining cranesbill Geranium lucidum Fringed
water-lily Nymphoides peltata Musk mallow Malva moschata Purple
lossestrife Lythrum salicaria Lungwort Pulmonaria officinalis Bugle
Ajuga reptans Betony Stachys officinalis Gipsywort Lycopus europeus
Purple toadflax Linaria purpurea Water plantain Alisma
plantago-aquatica Orange hawkweed Pilosella aurantiacum Wild azalea
Rhododendronb luteum Marsh valerian Valeriana dioica WEED SPECIES?
Buddleia Buddleia davidii Himalayan balsam Impatiens glandulifera
USEFUL EXOTICS? Michaelmas daisy Aster novi-belgii Sedum spectabile
Elecampane Inula helenium Borage Borago officinalis
MACRO-BIODIVERSITY AT CAT OVER 25 YEARS Slide 10 BEST PRACTICE IN
LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT AND AMENITY GARDEN DESIGN There are no organic
standards for amenity horticulture or management of public open
spaces They could be developed by EcoCentres There could be
demonstrations of designs for private gardens to maximise wildlife
value, showing how conflicting demands can be reconciled Scope for
partition of a large site part intensively developed part managed
for wildlife/diversity part left as no-go zone Slide 11 RESEARCH ON
INTERACTIONS OF NATURAL SYSTEMS AND SPECIFIC SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES
Various Systems of biofuel production Effects of different woodland
management systems Small hydro (e.g. reservoirs, dams, leats,
turbines Microhabitats in buildings (can one deliberately create a
wildlife-friendly building?) Wildlife effects of constructed
wetland water- treatment systems Wildlife effects of laundering
waste products Slide 12 FOCUS FOR INTERNATIONAL BIODIVERSITY
PROGRAMMES UNESCO Biosphere Reserves EU Species and Birds
Directives Natura 2000 Ramsar, Bern, Bonn Conventions UNESCO BR
designation is particularly significant because it explicitly
integrates human and natural sustainability Slide 13 PRESERVATION
OF GENETIC RESOURCES Collecting and maintaining threatened species,
cultivars or germ-lines especially those indigenous to, or
well-adapted to, the region As part of a national or international
network As the hub of a local network of dedicated amateurs Could
include habitat maintenance, deliberate propagation or breeding
Slide 14 RADICAL DEPARTURES EcoCentres are well-placed to explore
new approaches to understanding and relating to the natural world
Physical games or virtual interactives and simulations Through the
arts visual performance storytelling songs new myths Syntheses of
art and science Slide 15 THE END Whats this? Slide 16 Answer to
question: grazing pattern of Arion ater on algae growing on
polythene greenhouse
