January 2015

Posted by Sara King BSc (Hons) MCIEEM on 30/01/2015

Natural England have approved a licence to allow a family of beavers recorded in the River Otter in Devon to remain in the wild. A licence will be issued to Devon Wildlife Trust to manage the release of wild beavers currently present in the river catchment on a five year trial basis. This licence will be subject to several conditions, and the Wildlife Trust will have to be sure that the beavers present are European beavers free of parasites.

Tags: 
biodiversity
European Protected Species
Aquatic Habitats
Biodiversity offsetting
habitat restoration
rewilding
Categories: 
Biodiversity Research
Posted by Sara King BSc (Hons) MCIEEM on 26/01/2015

Natural England have recently changed their licensing process, which is now more stringent and requires an increased level of detail. Method statements associated with licence documents are legally binding and must be adhered to. Natural England are still experiencing delays processing licence applications.

Natural England have previously raised concerns over some consultants advice in respect to when a mitigation licence is required.  Specifically these relate to:

Tags: 
Bats
bat mitigation
bat surveys
bat licence
horseshoe bats
Bat Low Impact Licence
Categories: 
Ecological Consulting
Posted by Michael Williams - MCIEEM BSc (Hons) on 20/01/2015

A recent paper in Science magazine ‘Recovery of large carnivores in Europe’s modern human-dominated landscapes’ shows that large carnivores in Europe can share the same landscape as humans.  The paper, published in December 2014 and authored by 76 researchers from 26 countries is not the first to show that large carnivores can co-exist with people, however their results show that the land-sharing model, in contrast to wilderness and national park strategies elsewhere in the world, can be successful on a continental scale.

Tags: 
biodiversity valuation
rewilding
large carnivores
Categories: 
Biodiversity Research
Posted by Sara King BSc (Hons) MCIEEM on 20/01/2015

Ecosulis recently attended the Oxford University 2015 Biosymposium 2015 which focused on the functions and values of biodiversity. This subject has a wide expanse of viewpoints and information associated with it, from biologists and biochemists, to economist and philosophers. Flooded with information and lively debate from all viewpoints, the symposium supported an array of debate and discussion on the subject. This can make it quite difficult to see a way forward, and a way to make a difference.

Tags: 
Ecosystem Services
Biodiversity Indicators
Biodiversity Measurement
Biodiversity Quality Calculator
BQC
Ecological Functions
Categories: 
Biodiversity Research