A comparison of ecosystem services delivered by eleven long-term monitoring sites in the UK Environmental Change Network

Jan. Dicka, Chris Andrewsa, Deborah A. Beaumontb, Sue Benham c , David R. Brooks d, Stewart Corbette, Dylan Lloydf, Simon McMillang, Don T. Monteithh, Emma S.Pilgrimb, Rob Rose h, Andy Scott h, Tony Scott d, Rognvald.I. Smitha, Carol Taylori, Michele Taylorj Alex Turnerf, Helen. Watsoni

a Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh b North Wyke Research, c Forest Research, Alice Holt , d Rothamsted Research, e Porton Down, f Countryside Council for Wales, g ADAS UK Ltd., c/o Newcastle University, h Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster, i Macaulay Institute, j Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford,

Network sponsers:

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Outline

Characteristics of ecosystem services of 11 UK sites Distinction of mountain sites Biodiversity Urban usage Ecosystem dis-service

Eleven long-term monitoring sites cover upland and lowland, agricultural and conservation landscapes in mainland UK

Wytham

Allt a'Mharcaidh (CAI)

Glensaugh (GLE)

Moor House (MOO)

Snowdon (SNO)

Alice Holt (ALI) Rothamsted (ROT)

Porton Down (POR)

Sourhope (SOU)

Drayton (DRA)

North Wyke (NOR)

Wytham (WHT)

ALI

CAI

DRA

GLE

NOR

ROT

SNO

SOU

WHT

MOO

POR

(i) Data collected for the ECN to standard ECN protocol (http://www.ecn.ac.uk/protocols/index.asp),

(ii) Data obtained by site managers from a wide variety of other sources and

(iii) Expert knowledge of site managers

Three types of data were used in the analysis of ecosystem services at each ECN site

Provision services Food Fibre Fuel Genetic resources Biochemical Ornamental services Fresh water

Regulating services Air quality Climate regulation Water regulation Erosion regulation Water purification Disease regulation Pest regulation Pollination Natural hazard

Cultural services Cultural diversity Spiritual and religious Knowledge system Educational values Inspiration Aesthetic values Social relations Sense of place Cultural heritage values Recreation and ecotourism

Supporting services Soil formation Photosynthesis Primary production Nutrient cycling Water cycling

Our approach was to numerate the components of the sites and compare sites using similarity and multivariate analysis

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X It was not possible to estimate these parameters

Minimum spanning trees and biplot of the eleven ECN sites and 73 variabales Shaded areas indicate clustering of sites with similar land use; mountain sites (Cairngorm, Moorhouse and Snowdon). substantial forests (Alice Holt and Wytham), primarily productive livestock farmland (Glensaugh, Sourhope and North Wyke), The ‘mixed use’ sites (Drayton, Rothamsted and Porton Down) were not so highly clustered.

PCP biplot (68.34%)

C_N_CVS_classesC_N_Spp_Baseline

C_N_MothSpp

C_N_CarabidSpp

C_N_BatSpp

C_N_ButterflySpp

C_N_BirdSpp

POR

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Vegetation 28%

Invertebrate 40%

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X Data

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Butterflies

Carabidae

Moths

Bats

Birds Spp in baseline survey

Total ECN spp richness

CVS classes

Number of cultural activities

Species richness

Forest Farm

Mountain

Mixed use

Grey Band =Median time spent in catchment

Biodiversity and human use

MAY August

“……..At that point the rain abated leaving everything fresh and sparkling in the consequent bright sunshine. One could not but experience an exhilarating feeling of ‘joie de vivre', fitness, and sublime content with the scent of pine wood in one's nostrils and the fragrance of honeysuckle, bell heather, fox gloves and bracken all around.”

http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/tours/pics/ACairngormDiaryIllustrated24July1932.pdf

Urban use of the Cairngorms is not a new activity

Written ‘en route’ by James Nicoll Kerr Henderson (1908-1989) Edited and word-processed from the original by his son John Henderson in April, 2000

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“Then the forest gives way to moorland, swept by a refreshing hill wind, which dispels our extraordinary following of flies - troublesome brutes”

http://www.electricscotland.com/travel/tours/pics/ACairngormDiaryIllustrated24July1932.pdf

Ecosystem dis-services

Working with CEH colleagues Kate Searle and Beth Purse who are studying potential for disease transmission

Dr Alison Blackwell, Advanced Pest Solutions, midgie data from Kingnusses

Footfall data Allt Ruadh

Weekly midgie count Kingussie

“Really these hills and glens are gripping with their foregrounds of placid lochs, plunging waterfalls, rushing torrents and delicate tints adding their influence to the constantly changing scenic tones caused by the subtle effects of sun, mist and cloud. All within a background of rugged grandeur - absolutely invincible!” James James Nicoll Kerr Henderson (1908-1989)