English Nature's Lifescapes initiative aims to enable
delivery of UK-BAP targets at a Natural Area scale. To do so
requires a clear understanding of the socio-economic factors influencing
land-use decisions within the Natural Area
- Biodiversity targets for Natural Areas have been developed from the UK-BAP through top down processes of division and allocation. Local BAP groups have developed county-based targets and have, in some cases, estimated the costs associated with achieving targets. Costing BAP target achievement has traditionally taken little account of the wider 'value' or benefit derived from realizing these targets, or indeed, whether delivery of BAP targets is compatible with other land-use demands
- Sustainable delivery of biodiversity targets will ultimately depend on the social and economic forces at work in influencing each Natural Area. Achievement of BAP targets requires an understanding of these socio-economic drivers and the extent to which they may be harnessed to support delivery. Equally, we need to be aware of, and understand the issues when there is apparent conflict between BAP target delivery and other socio-economic objectives.
OBJECTIVES
- The aim of this project was to identify the key socio-economic
drivers at work in the Chilterns Natural Area, and in relation to
them, establish the cost of achieving biodiversity targets. The report
addresses the practicality of integrating social, economic and
biodiversity strands, and identifies the opportunities for achieving
biodiversity gains through market forces, the areas where public
funding will be required and the socio-economic benefits that will be
realized through such public investment. The project forms one step
towards improving the targeting of resources and developing a
strategic approach to conservation in the
Chilterns.
PROJECT COMPONENTS
1. Development of a socio-economic profile for the Chilterns
- Using existing data sources, an overview of the socio-economic conditions and trends in the Chilterns Natural Area was developed, including agriculture and the wider rural economy
- Key socio-economic drivers in the Chilterns were identified; those which serve/could serve to further biodiversity delivery were highlighted, as well as those that form obstacles to it
2. Identification of the costs of implementing bio-diversity targets in the Chilterns
- The real cost of achieving biodiversity gains in the Chilterns Natural Area was assessed, considering a variety of existing delivery mechanisms, such as land purchase and agri-environment schemes
3. Evaluation of the implications of the key socio-economic drivers identified in the Chilterns for the delivery of BAP targets
- The extent to which biodiversity objectives are compatible with socio-economic forces was established
- Where conflicts exist, the socio-economic impact (if any) of the failure to attain relevant biodiversity targets was identified
4. Identification of new opportunities and funding streams that further BAP objectives
- Situations where public sector investment is necessary to ensure attainment of biodiversity targets were identified
- The value of (a) the conservation activities resulting in BAP target attainment to the area, i.e. quantifiable economic gains; and (b) the less tangible 'quality of life' benefits of the habitats themselves, was assessed
- The potential for market and non market-based benefits arising from conservation efforts was explored
- Flagship opportunities for biodiversity action that take account of, and integrate with, the identified social and economic drivers were identified.
Sponsors
