robin sanders dissertation ppt[1]

8/9/2019 Robin Sanders Dissertation Ppt[1]

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DETERMINING THE IMPACTOF HULLS SWMP &

AQUA GREEN PROJECT ON

BIODIVERSITY

Robin Sanders

Environmental Technology MScThe University of Hull


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The Project

This project will investigate the impact of Hull City

Councils proposed Surface Water Management

Plan (SWMP) and the effects that the proposed

construction of Aqua Greens could have onBiodiversity within the city of Kingston upon Hull.


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The Aqua Green sites

After identifying 6 possible locations for flood water

storage sites (aqua greens) within Hull, the Surface

Water Management Team settled on two sites:

o Derringham (at the Springhead Municipal Golf

Course). This option provides for an embankment

immediately to the west of Sands Dyke and continuing

along the southern boundary of the golf course.

o Orchard Park, alongside the Cottingham drain,

adjacent to the Police Training Centre.


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The Key Questions

Key questions will need to be addressed:

o What is the likely impact upon Biodiversity of the

proposed Aqua Green scheme?

o Could the proposals incorporate mitigation factors

within the design phase to reduce the impact uponBiodiversity or positively enhance biodiversity?


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Project breakdownProject breakdown

In order to answer these key questions a number of details will need investigating:

o What is the existing state of Biodiversity present at

the aqua green sites?

o What are the physical characteristics of an aquagreen?

o Could the design be modified/enhanced for

biodiversity implications?

o What are the likely socio-economic impacts of the

aqua green scheme?


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The project will involve the collation of historic ecologicalsurvey data and the undertaking of new surveys at theaqua green sites to determine existing habitat and species

data.

Data will be collated from:

o The North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centrerecords.

o The Hull Biodiversity Partnership records

o Hull Greenspace data.

o New survey data.


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Human Impacts on Biodiversity

o The development of large human population

o centres such as towns and cities has resulted in

o both positive and negative impacts upon

o biodiversity:

o The disappearance of numerous species andhabitats.

o Positive benefits such as providing the opportunity

for certain species to adapt and colonise to the newenvironment.

o (Leveque et al, 2003, 150).


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What is Biodiversity?

o The variety of life.

o

Biological diversity means the variability amongliving organisms from all sources including, interalia, terrestrial, marine and other aquaticecosystems and the ecological complexes of which

they are part; this includes diversity within species,between species and of ecosystems.

o Convention of Biological Diversity, Rio Earth Summit (1992). (Gaston et al, 2004).


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o 1992: United Nations Rio Earth Summit.

o

1994: UK Biodiversity the Action Plan legislation.

o 1995: Hull city Council produced Natureplan which

highlighted Hulls 'Green Network'.

o 2000: Hull Biodiversity Action Plan.


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The Hull Biodiversity Partnership

o In 2000 a partnership of organisations andindividuals was established to develop aBiodiversity Action Plan for Hull.

o Membership, ranges from large statutoryorganisations to small local interest groups

o Aim: to identify the important habitats in Hull and arange of species for which targeted action can becarried out.

o The partnership selected 8 habitats and 25 speciesto be included in the plan:

o http://www.ukbap.org.uk/lbap.aspx?id=516 .


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Habitat types of the

Hull Biodiversity Action PlanEstuarine habitats

This plan covers the Humber Estuary and associated habitats, including mudflats, salt-marsh andreed-beds. The Estuary makes up over 4% of Kingston upon Hull, therefore estuarine habitats areparticularly important.

Fresh Water Habitats

This plan covers fresh water habitats such as rivers, drains, lakes and ponds. The River Hull is also

included in the plan although it has strong saline influences. The importance of the habitatssurrounding freshwater is also highlighted.

Gardens and Allotments

Allotments are a haven for wildlife, the cultivated and empty plots, nectar producing plants,compost heaps, grass areas, sheds and stores, and the boundary hedges and banks all provide avariety of habitats, attracting birds, insects and small mammals.

GrasslandAreas of grassland incorporate many flora species which in turn provide habitat for insect species.

Industrial Land

The soil on many abandoned industrial sites is often poor and may contain poisons such as heavymetals. The lack of nutrients encourages a wide range of plants. The open ground is important forlichens, butterflies, moths, beetles and bees.

http://www.ukbap.org.uk/lbap.aspx?id=516.


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Habitats (continued)

Parks, golf courses and cemeteries

As other wildlife habitats disappear, parks, golf courses and cemeteries arebecoming increasingly important for wildlife, especially in urban areas. Whenlandscaped sensitively golf courses can be ideal habitats for plants andanimals.

The built EnvironmentAs features such as caves, cliffs, rocks and bare ground have vanished, specieshave adapted to use man-made sites, as natural sites have decreased.

Trees, Scrub and hedgerowsThis action plan covers woodlands, parkland, wood pasture and individualtrees in streets and gardens. Deadwood habitats, hedgerows, scrub and areas

of natural regeneration are also included. Trees play a vital role in the urbanecosystem, providing local benefits for wildlife. Many birds, mammals andinvertebrates use trees as roosts, breeding sites and feeding areas.

http://www.ukbap.org.uk/lbap.aspx?id=516.


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Butterflies & Molluscs

of the Hull Biodiversity Action Plan

o Brimstone Butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni

o Common Blue Butterfly Polyommatus icarus

o Dragonflies

o Saltmarsh Snails:

oDun SentinelAssiminea grayana

o Mouse-eared Snail Ovatella myosotis


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Reptiles


o Common Lizard Lacerta vivipara

o Common Toad Bufo bufo

o Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus


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Terrestrial mammals


o Harvest Mouse Micromys minutus

o Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus

o Pipistrelle Bats Pipistrellus spp.

o Water VoleArvicola terrestris


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Bird species

of the Hull biodiversity Action Plan

o Linnet Carduelis cannabina

o Mute Swan Cygnus olor

o Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

o SkylarkAlauda arvensis

o Song Thrush Turdus philomelos

o Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata

o Tree Sparrow Passer montanus


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Expected Findings & Recomendations

o As a result of this project I expect to find that there will be some impact upon

biodiversity, including details of key species (highlighted by the Hull Biodiversity

Action Plan) which will be negatively impacted by the proposed aqua greens and

which may require mitigation measures.

o The project will also include sections on possible ecological benefits of the

aqua greens (including the resulting increase in wetland habitat at the aqua

green sites).

o At the end of the report a section on recommendations including maps and

drawings of how to incorporate habitat development into the aqua greendesign through planting schemes and landscaping techniques.


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References

o Hull City Council. 2009. Surface Water Management Plan And Aqua Green

Project .

o Gaston, K, J., Spicer, J, I., 2004. Biodiversity An Introduction 2nd Edition.

Blackwell, Oxford. 3-5.

o Leveque, C., Mounolou, J C., 2003. Biodiversity. Wiley, Chichester. 227-228. 239

o Hull biodiversity Action Plan: http://www.ukbap.org.uk/lbap.aspx?id=516

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