Management of the Natural Environment Flashcards

1
Q

What is an AECS Scheme?

A

Agri- Environment Climate Scheme which is governed by the Rural Payments and Inspection Division

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2
Q

What is a wader scrape?

A

Wader scrapes are shallow depressions that are constructed in fields to benefit wading birds. They are designed so that they hold water for only part of the year.

They can be very important feeding sites for the chicks and adults of farmland waders such as lapwing and redshank as their gently-sloping edges support large numbers of invertebrates.

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3
Q

What was the process of applying for a wader scrape?

A

Initial stages were identifying rushy pasture suited to wading birds and then discussing the scheme restrictions with the farm manager to see whether these fields could go into the scheme without negatively impacting the farm business’ day to day management such as not allowing grazing at times of the year when grazing is allowed.

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4
Q

What is a Local Nature Conservation Site (LNCS)?

A

Governed by the local authority an LNCS is a non-statutory designation Local Nature Conservation Site to areas of locally important nature.

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5
Q

What is a SSSI?

A

Site of Significant Scientific Interest

It is a domestic designation aimed at protecting features of high conservation value

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6
Q

What are some of the activities carried out to restore peatland?

A

Blocking ditches, stitching and digging trenches, creating bogs

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7
Q

Explain the process required for the Peatland Code?

A

Check eligibility
Register on UK Land Carbon Registry
Submit project docs
Send to certification body
Project validation issued
Pending Issuance Units (PIUs) available to sell
Start restoration works works
Inspection within 1 year
Restoration Validation
At year 5, PIUs converted to Peatland Carbon units (PCUs) on registry
Every 10 years PIUs for that period converted

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8
Q

Why is habitat protection and enhancement important?

A

Sustainable environments, climate change, increase of biodiversity

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9
Q

A wader scrape is an AECS capital item, which AECS management option was it tied to as part of the clients application?

A

wader mown grassland where you can’t cut the field for silage until after 1st July and cut in wildlife friendly manner.

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10
Q

What is involved with an AECS application?

A
  • Mapping the existing habitats on the farm such as rivers, burns, hedges and rushy pasture, then mapping where the options will go
    -Writing up management plans for each option
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11
Q

Difference between forestry and restoration

A

Woodland = carbon sequestration
Peatland = stops emission of carbon

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12
Q

PIU price

A

£20-25 per unit

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13
Q

PCU price

A

No trading in Scotland at the moment = unknown

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14
Q

How might you advice a client who wishes to graze woodland which is designated by a SSSI?

A

Inform the client of its designation status
Look at the list of operations requiring consent for the site
If grazing is listed would need to formally apply for consent from NatureScot before you could introduce grazing to the woodland

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15
Q

What other designation you have come across and what they for?

A

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA).

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16
Q

What is a SAC designation

A

Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are strictly protected sites designated under the Habitats Regulations. The habitat types and species are those considered to be most in need of conservation at a European level

17
Q

What is a SPA designation

A

Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are strictly protected sites classified in accordance with the EC Birds Directive. They are classified for rare and vulnerable birds and for regularly occurring migratory species

18
Q

Why is habitat protection important?

A

Maintaining and promoting biodiversity
Providing essential resources for wildlife, such as food, water, shelter, and breeding grounds

19
Q

You mention that on your own farm you sowed a small corner in green cover. How will this improve the fertility of the soils?

A

Included in our green cover crop we used a mix which included clover which fixes nitrogen.

20
Q

You mention you are aware of Local Nature Conservation Sites and SSSIs do you know how these impact development opportunities in those areas of designation?

A

LNCS - Refer to the guidance on managing LNCS which was created by NatureScot. Enforced by Local Authority
SSSIs - Would need to apply for consent for NatureScot

21
Q

What is the peatland code?

A

Peatland Code is a voluntary standard for UK peatland projects.

Operated by the IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature)

Peatland Code provides assurance and clarity for business and other investors in peatland restoration projects through independent validation and verification.