Soils
Soils are an important part of the natural heritage. They
provide the foundation for habitats and species diversity and are
also of intrinsic scientific interest. Soils perform a wide range
of environmental and ecological services of importance to nature
conservation, especially by supporting BAP priority habitats, and
acting as a reservoir of biodiversity function. Because of their
complex roles, the exact functioning of soils in relation to
conservation management remains poorly understood. We need to
better understand the role of biodiversity in maintaining or
restoring semi-natural habitats and to develop
conservation-relevant monitoring programmes.
Soils are often seen solely as a basis for food production.
Their wider environmental role is only now being recognised through
new policy developments. The European Commission is developing a
'Thematic Strategy' for soil, which seeks to make soil protection
relevant to the full range of EU environmental instruments.
National soil strategies in England, Scotland and Wales will
promote sustainable use, including the role of conservation and
monitoring activities.
The
Soils Lead Co-ordination Network was
established to meet the needs of the conservation agencies and of
government in dealing with nature conservation related soil issues.
The principal aims are to:
- develop a better understanding of the value of soil in
conservation of the nature heritage;
- promote sustainable uses of the soil and its protection;
- provide guidance for conservation policy development;
- seek information on soil inventory and means of monitoring for
informed comment on national issues;
- develop a better understanding of the value of soil in
conservation of the natural heritage.
Recent/ongoing Soil Lead Co-ordination Network activities
include:
- Advice on national soil strategy development in England, Wales
and Scotland to promote nature conservation interests;
- Responses to EC consultations to promote nature conservation
interests, participation in EU soil strategy development;
- Ongoing research into effects of moorland management on upland
soils;
- Ongoing development of criteria for evaluating the conservation
importance of soil;
- Outlining the economic value of soil ecological function;
- Evaluation of semi-natural soil resource in selected areas of
Scotland;
- Preparation of SNH Commissioned Report Current issues in
soils and nature conservation (in press);
- 'Soils and nature conservation' one-day conference at Reading
University, December 2003
Resources