Legislation Flashcards
What is the Ramsar Convention?
An international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.
How does the Ramsar Convention transpose into UK law?
71 Ramsar sites in England, and 149 across the UK, designated according to the 9 criteria of the Ramsar Convention.
What is CITES?
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed in 1973
What is the aim of CITES
To ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of species.
What is the Bern Convention?
The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, signed in 1979.
. What are the aims of the Bern Convention?
To conserve wild plant and animal species, protect habitats, regulate exploitation, and increase co-operation between contracting parties.
What is the Habitats Directive 1992?
A directive that established a system of legally protected areas across the EU for the conservation of habitat types and species of European importance.
. What is the Birds Directive?
A directive that protects all wild birds naturally occurring in the EU, amended in 2009.
What is the main aim of the Birds Directive?
To establish EU-wide protection for wild bird species, including the designation of Special Protection Areas (SPAs).
What is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?
What are the three main goals of the CBD?
Conservation of biodiversity
Sustainable use of biodiversity
Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
What does the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 prohibit?
It prohibits taking, injuring, killing, and disturbing wild animals, as well as disturbing their places of shelter and protection.
What is the NERC Act 2006
The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, which established Natural England and the Commission for Rural Communities.
What is Section 40 of the NERC Act 2006?
It mandates that public authorities must consider biodiversity conservation when exercising their functions.
What is an SAC (Special Area of Conservation)?
A European Site designated for habitats listed in the Habitats Directive
What are European Protected Species (EPS)?
Species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, such as otters, bats, and great crested newts.
What is prohibited under the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 2017
Deliberately capturing, injuring, killing, disturbing, or destroying the habitat of European Protected Species.
What is the CROW Act 2000?
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which addresses access rights, biodiversity, and the designation of AONBs.
What is the Protection of Badgers Act 1992?
It protects badgers and their setts, making it an offence to harm them or disturb their setts.
What actions are prohibited under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992?
Killing, injuring, or disturbing badgers, digging for badgers, or damaging their setts.
What is the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009?
It is legislation that covers marine conservation, inshore fisheries management, and the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Name an example of an NGO in the UK.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
What is the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)?
The government department responsible for environmental protection, including wildlife conservation.
What is the Environment Agency’s role?
It is responsible for protecting and enhancing the environment in England, including regulating industries and managing flood risks.
What is Natural England?
An executive non-departmental public body dedicated to conserving and managing England’s natural environment.
What are Special Protection Areas (SPAs)?
They are designated areas under the Birds Directive to protect bird species.
What is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981’s role in protecting birds?
It lists bird species on schedules and prohibits actions like disturbance or harm.
When was the Wildlife and Countryside Act passed?
The Wildlife and Countryside Act was passed in 1981.
What does Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 list?
Schedule 5 lists species of animals that are protected under the Act. This includes mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and certain invertebrates.
What does Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 list?
Schedule 9 lists non-native species that are classified as invasive. It is illegal to release or allow these species to escape into the wild.
Give an example of a species under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
An example of a species listed on Schedule 5 is the European otter, which is protected from capture, injury, or killing
What does it mean to “disturb” a species under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981?
It means to interfere with the animals in a way that could affect their ability to breed, shelter, or rest.
What does it mean to release a species listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
It is illegal to release or allow invasive non-native species, such as the grey squirrel or Japanese knotweed, to escape into the wild.
What is the nesting season for birds in the UK?
The nesting season typically runs from early spring to mid-summer (approximately March to August), but it can vary depending on the species.
Why is the nesting season important in countryside management?
During the nesting season, birds need quiet, undisturbed environments to build nests and rear their young. Disturbing them can be detrimental to their survival and breeding success.
What is the role of SSSIs in practical countryside management?
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are designated for their special biological or geological interest. Countryside managers must implement measures to protect these areas from damage and work with Natural England to maintain their condition.
