New collaborative action to restore more woodlands, heather and wetlands.

During the Biodiversity on the Edge project it became clear there is a need to create (recreate) a larger area of quality habitat if birds such as black grouse are to thrive. It is considered that a collaborative approach to restoring and creating a large scale framework of semi-natural habitats is needed if we are to achieve functioning habitats on a big enough scale. Promoting collaboration is an objective of the new Rural Development Contract (RDC) scheme, and it is to be hoped that appropriate joint schemes will be forthcoming once the scheme is established. However, we feel even these will not be sufficient to deliver what is needed. Borders Forest Trust, Tweed Forum and the SUP have held initial discussions and are exploring the possibility of applying for EU LIFE funding – thanks to a small grant from SNH.

LIFE money is intended to enhance biodiversity and would bring essential additional resources to the area to pay for the creation of a patchwork of quality habitats across the central Southern Uplands. It is vital that a range of habitats is included in this – woodlands, grasslands, moorland and wetlands and because of this a range of organisations would need to be involved.

Such a project could also contribute to the prosperity, development and confidence of this often overlooked rural region. The creation of new habitats across the landscape of the Central Southern Uplands will link with the strategic aims of local government and enterprise agencies to bring more visitors to the western Borders/Eastern Dumfriesshire and to provide a more diverse local economy. It will require and develop rural skills during its delivery period and beyond, providing sustainable land-based employment opportunities for local contractors, land managers and farmers/foresters.

Climate change now represents one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Habitat conservation, restoration and creation will increase uptake and sequestration of greenhouse gases through tree and heather growth and the re-instatement of functioning peatlands (growth of peat) and wetlands. Livestock reductions will contribute to Scotland’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the land use sector.

A network of connected diverse habitats in the landscape would equip the Southern Upland areas to better adapt to climate change. There would be fewer obstacles to the movement of wildlife helping ecological communities to adjust. The network would also provide a more robust framework for other land-uses which may be at risk through changes in temperature, and rainfall and consequently the spread of new pests and diseases or fire. Creating a range of vegetation types and structure, as opposed to the current extremes of high forest and shortly cropped grassland will increase the capacity of the land to cope with extreme weather events and should reduce the threat to communities from flooding.

LIFE funding is competitive so there is of course no guarantee that it will be forthcoming but we feel we can make a good case for support and we will continue to explore the possibilities.