In Practice - Agri-Environment and Conservation - Number 71 March 2011 Bulletin of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management - CIEEM
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Number 71 • March 2011
In Practice
Bulletin of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
Agri-Environment and Conservation
INFORMATION
In Practice No. 71, Mar 2011. ISSN 1754-4882 Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
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EDITORIAL AND CONTENTS
Contents
Editorial Information
Editorial and Contents
2
3
Delivering Environmental Objectives with the 4-8
Agriculture and the environment- Environmental Stewardship Scheme in England
David Burton MIEEM, James Phillips, Phil Grice,
where to next? Dawn Metcalf and Ross Evans
Ecology and Agri-Environment 9 - 11
I remember back in my agricultural student days at Harper Adams Chloe Palmer MIEEM
Agricultural College, when you could study only agriculture at
Harper, and reading a new book A Study in Compromise edited Catchment-Scale Flood Storage and Wetland 12 - 15
Restoration: A Programme of Rural Works in
by Derek Barber and published by the RSPB (1970). This was a Northumberland
report from a conference held at the old Silsoe College where Anne Lewis, Elizabeth Bunting, Maria Hardy
farmers and conservationists came together for the first time to CEnv MIEEM and Alistair Laverty MIEEM
consider the question of how they each perceived agriculture and Evidence-Based Conservation on Farmland - 16 - 18
the environment. Looking back it is clear that from this conference Making it Possible
Lynn Dicks and William J Sutherland
the likes of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG),
Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA), Countryside Stewardship The East of England Wildlife Site Project: 19 - 21
(CSS) and ultimately Environmental Stewardship (ELS/HLS), has Helping get Local Wildlife Sites into Higher
Level Stewardship
flowed. This edition of In Practice highlights a number of examples Nick Carter FIEEM
of how knowledge and practice has moved on since this conference.
Sustaining High Nature Value Farming Systems: 22 - 25
The conference was based on the Farmers Weekly farm at Tring. Lessons from the West of Ireland
George F Smith MIEEM, Paul O’Donoghue CEnv
The farm at this time was a mixed farm of 160 ha with 60 dairy MIEEM and Cliona O’Brien
cows, 200 ewes and a range of arable crops. The aim of the
conference was to consider how various intensive specialised Monitoring the Restoration of Hay Meadows 26 - 27
under Environmental Stewardship
agricultural changes might increase agricultural profit over the Leslie Williams CEnv MIEEM and Simon Mercer
mixed farming system. The unique aspect of the conference was to
Is ‘The Crop Protection Industry’ Creating 28 - 31
then evaluate these agricultural scenarios for their environmental Another Silent Spring?
impact. The environmental assessment was undertaken by Dr David Barker MIEEM and Ruth Barker
Norman Moore of the Nature Conservancy Council. Only the Reassessing Habitat Translocation as a Tool for 32 - 34
farm environmental scenario was thought to lead to increases in Delivering New Nature Conservation Priorities
environmental benefits achieved by the mixed farm. This group and for Conserving Ecological Resources
was led by Nigel Gray of the Game Conservancy (Game and Wildlife John Box CEnv FIEEM
Trust). Their basic improvement included woodland plantings, corner Ecology Legislation Update 35 - 36
copses and hedge management including basic grass margins, Penny Simpson
all options that now form part of Environmental Stewardship type An Alternative Method for Catching and 37 - 40
agreements. His overall assessment of all scenarios was “the main Surveying Newts
conclusion I would draw from these figures is that if you leave the David Dewsbury
best habitats and the boundary hedges you can make quite ruthless Offsets for Species in the UK Planning Context: 41 - 43
alterations to the internal hedges without seriously affecting the A Possible Methodology
Larry Burrows MIEEM, Bill Butcher MIEEM and
wildlife”. I am not sure such a similar conclusion would be made Jo Treweek CEnv MIEEM
today after 40 years of further ecological experience and research.
Guidelines for Preliminary Ecological Appraisal 45 - 46
The science and understanding of the importance of agricultural Ben Benatt CEnv MIEEM
habitats has moved on since this conference and for me Competencies for Species Survey 47
environment and agriculture are two sides of the same coin. Simon Kain
However, they have become separated and the last 40 years have Collaborative Awards in Science and 48
been about putting the coin back together. The new thinking on Engineering (CASE) Studentships
ecosystem services, catchment plans/landscape working and Linda Yost CEnv MIEEM
sustainable agriculture are the new mechanisms to address the Institute News 49
environmental-agricultural conflicts highlighted by the conference.
Geographic Section News 50
Recent work by Dr Robert Shiel of Newcastle University has
demonstrated that if you re-evaluate the old Norfolk four course Partnership News 51
rotation (mixed farming) in relation to resource transfer of nutrients/ Recent Publications 52
weed control then the most profitable crop becomes the least
profitable and the worst the most profitable. In the Journals 53 - 56
News in Brief 57 - 58
From this one can conclude that mixed farming does pay. For me
this turns all the agricultural changes proposed at the conference on Tauro-Scatology 59
its head in that the environmental value of the mixed farm is not lost Advertisements 60 - 62
to the agricultural specialisation and intensification scenarios, which
New and Prospective Members 63
were proposed as the only way to maintain a profitable farm. The
environmental evidence base now shows that the best biodiversity Diary 64
and species are found in such mixed farming systems.
The views expressed in this editorial are those of the author and not
necessarily those of his employer, Natural England. Cover image: Collection of agri-environment images
Steve Pullan CEnv FIEEM Photography: Pete Johnstone CEnv MIEEM
Team Leader - Land and Conservation, Natural Artwork on the cover will normally illustrate an article in,
England or the theme of, the current issue. The Editor would be
pleased to consider any such material from authors.
Delivering Environmental Objectives with the ES in England
Delivering Environmental
Objectives with the Environmental
Stewardship Scheme in England
David Burton MIEEM1, James Phillips2, Phil Grice3, Dawn Metcalfe4, Ross Evans5 and Rosanna Dollman6
1
Delivery Leader Land Management Marketing Team, Natural England
2
Delivery Leader Sustainable Land and Water Management Support Team, Natural England
3
Senior Ornithologist, Natural England
4
Delivery Leader Land Management Advice, Natural England
5
Delivery Manager Land Management Marketing Team, Natural England
6
Delivery Leader ELS Training and Information Project, Natural England
T he report to Government,
Making Space for Nature:
a review of England's wildlife
1. To restore species and habitats
appropriate to England's physical and
geographical context to sustainable
make the best choices for environmental
objectives on their client’s farm. There
is also an online agent’s register which
levels. advisers can sign up to, to offer their
sites and ecological network,
services to farmers seeking support with
led by Professor John Lawton, 2. To restore and secure the long-term
scheme advice and application.
re-affirmed the vital role that sustainability of the ecological and
physical processes that underpin
agri-environment schemes
ecosystems and the services they Farmers Take Up
play in meeting environmental
objectives. The main agri-
provide. the Environmental
environment scheme in England, 3. To provide accessible natural
environments rich in wildlife for
Challenge
Environmental Stewardship (ES)
people to enjoy and experience. The Campaign for the Farmed
was launched in 2005. There
Environmental Stewardship is well placed Environment (CFE) is a voluntary, industry-
are now 40,000 ES agreements led initiative launched in November 2009,
with farmers who manage over to help deliver these objectives both
through supporting the management and which seeks to retain the environmental
six million hectares of land. benefits provided by former set-aside land.
restoration of high value wildlife sites and
The benefits to biodiversity, by improving the connections between The Campaign has been a major driver for
landscape and access to these sites in the wider environment. farmers to renew their ELS agreements
the natural environment are The Lawton Report demonstrates that and consider the options they choose
to maximise environmental benefit of
huge. However monitoring and the most effective approach to achieving
these objectives is to improve the quality their farm. Many farmers would prefer
evaluation of the effectiveness to continue receiving £30 per hectare
of ES has highlighted areas for of existing wildlife sites and reduce the
pressures on them by enhancing the wider per annum for five years for a voluntary
improvement, most notably the environmental scheme, with options
environment. This article focuses on the
pattern of option uptake within second part of this strategy. With around picked to suit their circumstances, rather
Entry Level Stewardship, and 70% of all farmed land in England now in than be forced into compulsory regulation
there is growing evidence of the ES, farmers are becoming accustomed in years to come.
need for targeting particular to managing land for environmental CFE has brought together organisations
suites of ES land management objectives. The three Entry Level strands; such as the National Farmers Union, the
options at the farm and landscape Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), Organic Country, Land and Business Association,
Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group,
scale.
the new – Uplands ELS (UELS), together and Defra and its agencies including
Natural England and our partners are with targeted Higher Level Stewardship Natural England. The Campaign objectives
developing new services to assist farmers (HLS) agreements can enhance the wider are organised under three key themes;
and their advisers make better use of ES environment. resource protection, farmland birds and
to achieve environmental objectives. farm wildlife. CFE has also highlighted
Online Advice and the need for more in-field options such as
The Ecological Training wild bird seed mixture and for farmers to
record their voluntary environmental work
Argument for taken on farms (see leaflet opposite).
Environmental advisers play a key role with
Environmental the selection of ES options for their farmer
Stewardship clients entering the scheme. Advisers Ecologists Provide the
also provide invaluable technical advice
for farmers in ES on how best to deliver
Technical Support
The Making Space for Nature Report
recommends the establishment of land management options. A webpage In 2010 Natural England launched a new
ecological networks to achieve the dedicated to agents has recently been set programme of training, information and
following: up on Natural England’s website to provide technical support for farmers in the three
advisers with a range of resources to help Entry Level strands of Environmental
4 In Practice March 2011
Delivering Environmental Objectives with the ES in England
Natural England has established what (Map 1, next page) is a high priority area
coverage of the key ELS options we for farmland birds as it is mainly arable,
should aspire to have in place nationally and has hotspots of the six scarce arable
– these are known as ELS Indicators specialists: grey partridge, lapwing, turtle
of Success (IoS). ELS agreements are dove, yellow wagtail, tree sparrow and
monitored to assess progress towards corn bunting. In this area we want farmers
these indicators and to identify what to consider putting in a combination of
impact the training and information priority options which will provide in-field
programme may be having on option nesting habitat, seed food during the
selection. Preliminary analysis of data at winter and early spring and insect-rich
this early stage indicates that there has foraging habitats. Such options include
been a moderate positive shift towards extended over-wintered stubbles, wild bird
the priority options (see Figure 1 below). seed mixtures and nectar mixtures.
However, the assessment of the impact
For arable plants, such as Venus’s looking
of training and information is complicated
glass, night flowering catchfly and weasel
by the inability to characterise a control
snout, the band of calcareous soils that
group not influenced by wider advisory/
run from Dorset Downs and Cranborne
training actions.
Chase to Breckland are a high priority.
The light free-draining soils in these areas
Keeping it Local often support populations of rare species
and provide the best opportunities to
The key ELS option approach has enabled
Farming for farm wildlife leaflet help arable plants. Farmers can help rarer
prioritisation of ELS options at a local
arable plants by using options such as un-
depicting ES options (the full level. Maps are available on the agent’s
cropped cultivated margins.
size leaflet is available at http:// webpage which shows where these
naturalengland.etraderstores.com/ options are most appropriate within each River catchments and areas which are
NaturalEnglandShop/NE231) region. For each region there are individual failing or at risk of failing the Water
maps showing the priority areas for: Framework Directive standards are the
Stewardship. This programme is designed farmland birds; arable plants; butterflies, priority for options to protect soil and
to improve the environmental benefits of bees and vulnerable grassland; water water. The options which can be used
the schemes by providing farmers with voles, dragonflies, newts and toads; to improve the quality surface water,
the skills and knowledge to empower and bats and dormice, and; priority areas for groundwater, bathing and shellfish waters
encourage them to choose ELS options cleaner water to help deliver the Water are listed. For example, Somerset, Dorset
that address a particular environmental Framework Directive targets. There and Devon contain large areas of failing
objective(s). Natural England specialists are also tables identifying the priority ground waters where using winter cover
identified the ELS land management archaeological sites. These maps and crops would be particularly beneficial
options which provide maximum benefit tables are available on the website. (Map 3).
for farm wildlife, farmland birds, soil and The high priority areas for farmland birds
water protection, the historic environment and wildlife are located where there are ELS Online
and landscape. Farmers are offered a one
to one visit by environmental advisers and
stronger populations of the species and
the agricultural land use is more likely to
Applications
group workshops to help them choose the respond to the use of ELS options. For The introduction of online applications has
best options for their farms. example, the east coast of England been a major improvement to ELS over
the last few years. The online software
has its own measuring tool which saves
time and cost by measuring hedgerows,
buffer strips and other farm features on
the computer as opposed to out in the
field. Points are also calculated as you add
or subtract features/options and there is
the function to review, amend and save
documents. Most agents believe it can
cut five days from the entire application
process and save on postage time
and expense. The online software has
proved extremely popular with agents
and farmers for both renewing ELS and
applying for ELS schemes (see screenshot
on next page).
Environmental
Stewardship in Action at
the Farm Scale
The 1,590 hectare Norfolk Estate in
Arundel, West Sussex is a good case
ELS Renewal Applications: Distribution of points between ELS objectives study of the potential for Environmental
Note: The sum of each category is greater than 100% as some options appear Stewardship to deliver benefits for
in more than one category biodiversity. The four farms on the Estate
In Practice March 2011 5
Delivering Environmental Objectives with the ES in England
ENTRY LEVEL STEWARDSHIP - PRIORITY AREAS FOR FARMLAND BIRDS
TITLE EAST OF ENGLAND
Arable Plants
High Priority
Medium Priority
Low Priority
County Boundary
0 10 20 40
Kilometres
Map produced by Analysis and Mapping Services,
Natural England. Ref: NESS10-554
© Crown Copyright and database right 2010. All rights
reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100022021.
"
Oxford
"
King's Lynn
Norwich
"
"
Peterborough
"
Chatham
"
Canterbury
"
Southwold Basingstoke
"
"
Ashford
"
" Crawley
Bury St Edmunds
" Cambridge
Southampton
"
" Colchester
Luton
"
ENTRY LEVEL STEWARDSHIP - PRIORITY AREAS FOR FARM WILDLIFE
Watford
SOUTH EAST AND LONDON
"
Map 2. Entry Level Stewardship - Priority Areas for Farm Wildlife -
South East and London
High Priority
Medium Priority
Low Priority
County Boundary
"
0 10 20 40
Kilometres
Map produced by Analysis and Mapping Services,
Natural England. Ref: NESS10-554
© Crown Copyright and database right 2010. All rights
reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100022021.
Map 1. Entry Level Stewardship - Priority Areas "
for Farmland Birds - East of England
"
"
"
"
"
Map 3. Entry Level Stewardship - Priority Areas for Water and Soil
Protection - South West
Online software with measuring tool
are a diverse mix of arable and grassland. Options for arable management at In some cases the Estate has gone
The land across the farms had large beyond the regular HLS prescriptions and
the Norfolk Estate:
fields to suit farm mechanisation, hedges are experimenting to see whether sowing
and margins had been removed and HE1 buffer strips on cultivated land, headlands with wider drill spacing to leave
some areas of historic value had been 2m more room for arable wild flowers to
cultivated and archaeology lost or ignored. flourish, will encourage greater numbers
EF6 Over-wintered stubbles
Previously in environmental management of wildflower and insects - staple food for
since 2003 they were all entered into HF2 Wild bird seed mixture farmland birds. Next to the headlands,
one HLS agreement in 2007 (comprising strips of wild bird seed mix (HF2) and
HF7 beetle banks
ELS and HLS options) which has provided
beetle banks (HF7) provide a variety of
greater scope for grassland and arable EF10 unharvested cereal headlands
food sources and cover for birds, insects
management and more tailored to the
HF14 unharvested conservation and small mammals, whilst the main crop
Estate’s needs.
headlands area remains conventionally managed.
By blending conservation with a profitable
HE10 floristically enhanced grass The Estate has the added bonus of
food producing business, one of the
Estate’s aims is to recover farmland margins (non-rotational) ecologist Dr Dick Potts monitoring wildlife
bird populations to pre-1996 levels or EG1 undersown spring cereals levels in detail each year since 2003.
better, with a particular focus on the grey Dick assesses breeding bird numbers
partridge that was almost extinct on the HJ4 Arable reversion to grassland annually from mid-March to mid-July,
farm by the early part of this decade. with low fertiliser input to prevent with game birds monitored separately
In some areas extra ELS options (going erosion or run-off in spring and after harvest. Surveys of
beyond the basic points threshold set for Options for grassland management and arable weeds and insects are also carried
the farm) have been used to make the protection of historic features have also out annually. Neighbouring farms with
most of the potential to manage arable been used to create a diverse and multi- no agri-environment options on them are
land for the benefit of farmland birds. objective agreement. monitored to provide a control.
6 In Practice March 2011
Delivering Environmental Objectives with the ES in England
Initial results from monitoring have been
highly encouraging. Grey partridge and
skylark have responded best to the agri-
environment measures, especially the
in-field habitat improvements provided by
beetle banks and hedging, seed mixes
and unsprayed headlands, and have done
so similarly across all four of the Estate’s
farms (see graphs to the right).
Other farm birds such as corn bunting,
lapwing and yellowhammer have shown
less dramatic responses but the overall
trend is for improvement. Overall, Dr Dick Grey Partridge (2008) (left) and Skylark (2008) monitoring (right) (Graphs
Potts estimates that 26 more ‘pairs’ of
courtesy of Dick Potts and the Duke of Norfolk’s Estate)
birds have arrived per square kilometre
(100 ha) per year as a result of agri- expertise, knowledge and established animals and plants associated with arable
environment measures and associated farmer networks to deliver in the identified landscapes.
management. Mammal species have project areas (see map below). Across
benefited as well, notably brown hare, At the start, the SWFBI partners consulted
the three counties, four sister projects
which has shown year-on-year increases. farmers in each area to establish how
are operating together under the SWFBI
Raptor and owl numbers are up, partly it interested they were in helping to
umbrella. Each is led by a different partner
is thought in response to greater numbers conserve the ‘Arable Six’. The majority of
organisation which employs a dedicated
of voles living on the beetle banks and farmers were enthused by the approach
project officer to give practical advice
margins. but needed specific farm-based advice
to farmers on how they can best use the
from the partners on what was needed
Environmental Stewardship (ES) scheme
Arable wildflowers and associated insects for farmland birds. The SWFBI partners
to help farmland birds and the other
have responded well in the unsprayed have responded to this customer need by
conservation headlands. In surveys of
conservation headlands (EF10 and HF9)
the bug Calocoris norvegicus, a highly
sought after food of grey partridge chicks,
responded very well, increasing the
survival of chicks. In 2008, grey partridge
breeding success was the highest
recorded for 55 years on the Sussex
Downs.
Environmental
Stewardship in Action at
the Regional Scale
The South West Farmland Bird Initiative
(SWFBI) is a four-year Natural England-
led partnership which seeks to help
reverse the decline in farmland birds
across Wessex. Beginning in April
2008, the initiative targets nationally
recognised farmland bird hotspots
across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and
Dorset as defined by the distribution of
the six fastest declining farmland birds
in England, often called the ‘Arable Six’:
grey partridge, lapwing, turtle dove, yellow
wagtail, tree sparrow and corn bunting.
By focussing on these six species, the
initiative is targeting many of the finest
remaining arable habitats in Wessex
(see map right), and having much wider
benefits for other wildlife associated with
arable farmland - in particular, rare arable
plants like shepherd’s needle, brown
hare and the more widespread declining
farmland bird species like skylark, linnet,
reed bunting and yellowhammer.
Partnership is key to the approach and
SWFBI has brought together a mix of
national and local organisations and
farmers, bringing together the best
In Practice March 2011 7
Delivering Environmental Objectives with the ES in England
developing an evidence-based ES package How are the actual farmland birds objectives. The challenge ahead is
of in-field options that delivers the most responding? It is early days to assess to develop a flexible Environmental
important habitats for farmland birds. The the impact of SWFBI but there are some Stewardship scheme that serves both
package focuses on those in-field options promising signs. Five pairs of corn bunting farmers and the natural environment well.
that deliver the maximum benefit for are now breeding (in 2009 and 2010) on
farmland birds with a ‘fixed list’ approach one of the SWFBI farms in the Cotswolds,
to delivering ES options which provide where they have not bred before. In Further Reading
the critical resources that farmland birds December 2010, in Dorset, Wiltshire and
need to survive and breed successfully, Gloucestershire, many farmland birds Lawton JH et al. (2010) Making Space for
i.e. over-winter seed food, spring/ were recorded during the cold spell using Nature: A review of England’s Wildlife Sites
summer invertebrate food and places the wild bird mix plots and stubble options and Ecological Network report to Defra.
to nest in-field. The mix of ES options put in place – with flocks of 300 corn Natural England (2009) Agri-environment
was formulated using the best research, bunting, 2,000 skylark, 1,000 linnet and schemes in England 2009. A review of
evidence and experience to date from 250 yellowhammer recorded from three of results and effectiveness. Natural England
RSPB, GWCT, BTO and Natural England. the key farms. Monitoring is now in place Research Report 194.
The evidence all pointed to a need for at 35 farms across southern England for
a minimum of 4-7% of a 1 km-square to the next five years to assess just how well Potts GR (2008) Restoring biodiversity
contain suitable in-field management to the SWFBI approach has contributed to to the Norfolk Estate, Arundel. Year 6:
deliver enough key habitats to help reverse reversing the decline of farmland birds 2008. A report for the Norfolk Estate.
the decline of farmland birds. using the evidence-based ES farmland bird (Unpublished).
package. Walker KJ, Critchley CNR, Sherwood AJ,
ELS and HLS The SWFBI targeting and delivery Large R, Nuttall P, Hulmes S, Rose R and
Mountford JO (2007) The conservation
Farmland Bird Packages approach has now been adopted across
England as a way to deliver for farmland of arable plants on cereal field margins:
The packages in the table below are at the birds in arable/mixed landscapes using ES an assessment of new agri-environment
heart of SWFBIs activities with the four as the key delivery tool. Many areas have scheme options in England, UK. Biological
projects working across the Wessex area local farmland bird projects or initiatives Conservation 136: 260–270.
to deliver a comprehensive programme of in place - with all of these delivering the
free tailored advice, one to one farm visits same consistent message and ask of the
and workshops. All the projects deliver farming community across England for Useful Websites
the same message and same ask of the farmland birds. The approach has also
influenced the way the CFE has been http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/
farming community, ensuring that the ourwork/farming/funding/es/agents/
options are sited correctly for the needs of developed with the ELS farmland bird
package now central to CFE activity and elsoptions/
the farmland bird species that the Initiative
is targeting. Having an evidence-based delivery on the ground. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/
figure to work to at the farm-level has The initiatives on the Arundel Estate and ourwork/farming/funding/es/agents/
been very well received by the farming by the South West Farmland Bird Initiative register.aspx
community and has made the approach both demonstrate how Environmental http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/
easier to ‘sell’, with many farmers actually Stewardship can begin to realise the ourwork/farming/funding/es/agents/
now delivering more than the minimum Lawton Report’s call for ecological elsoptions/farm-wildife.aspx
7% ask within their HLS agreements. The networks that restore species and
farming community has also responded habitats to sustainable levels. Ecologists http://www.cfeonline.org.uk/
very positively to the way partner are playing key roles in the success of
organisations are working together to these case studies and the development
deliver the same consistent message. of new ES support services by Natural Correspondence: Caroline.Maddock@
England and our partners. The emerging naturalengland.org.uk
Since its start in October 2008 to January
2011, the initiative (across the four project formula for success is to tailor the
areas) has engaged with the farming approach so that it fits farmers’ wants and
community at the landscape scale, needs as well as achieving environmental
delivering:
• Total Ha of farmland advised on:
113,414ha Resource ES options ELS HLS
(minimum (minimum
• Number of 1:1 farm visits carried out: per 100 ha) per 100 ha)
401
Winter seed food Wild bird seed mixture or 2 ha or 5-10 2 ha or 5-10 ha
• Number of farm workshops/events Weed-rich stubble (or a ha
run: 53 combination)
• Number of Farmers/Agronomists/ Spring-summer Conservation headlands, 1 ha 2-3 ha
others attending workshops: 1,129 invertebrate food low input spring cereals,
field corners, beetle banks,
• Total ‘Live’ Ha of key in-field ES (ELS/
blocks/strips of nectar mix/
HLS) Farmland Bird Options delivered
flower-rich margins
on the ground: 3,847ha
Places to nest Skylark plots 20 or 1 ha 20 plus 2 ha (if
• Total ‘Live’ £ spend on key in-field ES in-field Fallow plots appropriate)
Farmland Bird Options delivered on
the ground: £11,645,533 ELS and HLS Farmland Bird Packages
8 In Practice March 2011
Ecology and Agri-Environment
Ecology and Agri-Environment
Chloe Palmer MIEEM
Director, FWAG and Nuffield Scholar
The Farming and There has been considerable criticism
from several prominent conservation
is to be accrued for the benefit of
species, habitats and the wider farmland
Wildlife Advisory groups that agri-environment schemes landscape. So, it is essential that the FEP
in the UK are not achieving enough for is prepared by an adviser with a good
Group nature conservation, and in particular, ecological understanding so that they
T
those species that are in decline. These are able to recognise and assess a wide
he Farming and Wildlife comments are based primarily on range of species and habitats. It is also
Advisory Group (FWAG) is scientific survey results, occasionally important that the adviser has a good
a registered charity founded as a result of personal observations knowledge of the natural history of the
by a group of farmers and and sometimes in response to specific surrounding area so that they can relate
conservationists in 1969. FWAG research papers. their findings to the local context. They
should also have a practical knowledge
was established to promote There is no doubt that there is scope
of resource protection, particularly
sustainable farming methods for more ‘value’ to be delivered from
in relation to watercourses and soil
and to demonstrate that wildlife agri-environment schemes, the difficulty
management. This will enable them to
can be encouraged alongside a is always in relation to how this can be
identify potential adverse environmental
achieved on the ground. Farmers have
profitable farming enterprise. to balance making a difference for the
impacts from farm operations and then
This premise is still the central select scheme prescriptions that will
environment with the constraints of
principal behind FWAG’s activity minimise or preferably even eliminate
making a living off the land. As price
these environmental risks.
today. We remain farmer-led, support has gradually been phased out of
with active farming committees the Common Agricultural Policy, farmers The Farm Adviser must be able to
in most counties and with a face a hugely volatile market for their interpret the findings of their FEP Survey
strong farmer membership of products. Farmers need to retain as so that this can be used to prepare a first
much flexibility as possible so that their class application that takes account of
nearly 10,000 farmer members businesses can respond to these price the key features found on the farm and
and supporters. Our links with fluctuations. This affects option uptake their environmental potential. In order to
conservation are also strong within Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), as achieve this, a thorough knowledge of
as we play an active part in they will choose those options that allow the agri-environment scheme options is
many Local Biodiversity Action them the necessary room for manoeuvre, essential, but this must be coupled with
Plan Forums as well as working in favour of those options that give them an in-depth understanding of how they
closely with the RSPB and other the scope to respond to weather events, should be implemented and managed on
price changes, input cost rises and the farm in perpetuity.
conservation charities. market demand.
The adviser must be able to consider how
FWAG prepares more Higher Level
the agri-environment scheme application
Scheme (HLS) applications and Farm Ecological Input at for this farm will relate to surrounding
Environment Plans (FEP) than any other
single organisation in England and we Every Stage holdings and the ecological interest found
there. Landscape scale conservation is
were therefore keen to contribute to this
Primarily, sound ecological principles the current terminology used to describe
In Practice discussion about ecology
must be at the heart of each scheme this process. It is something that FWAG
and agri-environment schemes. This
at every stage if this increased value has been doing for over four decades,
article reflects the viewpoint of our Farm
Conservation Advisers who are giving
advice to over 5,000 farmers on agri-
environment schemes each year but also
from the farmers themselves who we
deal with on a daily basis.
The views expressed in this article are
based primarily on the Environmental
Stewardship Scheme and the English
‘classic schemes’, that is, the Countryside
Stewardship Scheme and the
Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme.
Specific reference will not be made to
the schemes in Wales (currently ‘Glastir’)
and Scotland (Land Management Options
under the Scottish Rural Development
Plan). However, many of the general
observations made in this article are
equally applicable to the Welsh and
Scottish schemes. Farmers at a farm walk hearing about margin management and the role of margins
in effective biological pest control at a FWAG Weed Control Demonstration Day
In Practice March 2011 9
Ecology and Agri-Environment
stimulated by what they are shown or conservation success on their farms.
learn about. The best ecologist will not Rather, they compare what they see
achieve the best result on a farm for on their farm on a day to day basis
conservation without the ability to inspire with a sub-conscious baseline which
the farmer. will relate to a point in time depending
on their age. Often these farmers
Defra undertakes some monitoring of
will view the pursuit of a threshold
existing agri-environment schemes in
number of a limited suite of species as
order to measure the conservation gain
‘dumbing down’. They recognise the
from the individual agreements. FWAG is
complexity of all ecosystems and the
keen that ecological monitoring becomes
factors that influence their survival or
more widespread in order that the value
otherwise. Ecologists should seek to
of agri-environment schemes can be
encourage this holistic attitude, rather
more accurately measured. The best way
than try to categorise their efforts into
to achieve this cost effectively would be
‘unfavourable, recovering’ or recognise
to approach the agreement holders to
only those species that appear on their
undertake the monitoring themselves.
lists.
This would have several benefits:
It is also vital that Government
• the farmers would see for themselves
Departments and Agencies, NGOs and all
the difference that their conservation
Geoff Eyre, heather restoration other organisations that influence policy
work was making for a selection of
expert, explaining how to restore in relation to agri-environment schemes
indicator species and thus would
heather moorland on degraded sites and the farmland environment recognise
further inspire them to do more;
that have suffered from over-grazing all the factors at play in determining
at a FWAG farm walk • it would be cost effective across a whether or not a scheme is successful in
large number of farms; and achieving its aims.
as no single farm holding should be • regular monitoring could enable A recent article in the October edition
considered in isolation. Wildlife does not the agreements to be tweaked of British Wildlife by prominent farmer,
respect ownership boundaries! in response to success or conservationist and founder member of
disappointing results rather than FWAG, Philip Merricks, highlighted the
Once the farmer has his/her agreement
waiting for the end of the agreement impact of predation on lapwing numbers
and begins to implement the
(usually 10 years) before making on his farm at Romney Marsh. In fact,
prescriptions, it is vital that ecological
significant changes. many farmers are acutely aware of the
input to the scheme continues. As far
effect of predators because they observe
as possible, FWAG attempts to maintain An excellent monitoring tool is available their actions every day. If ecologists
a working relationship with the farmer for use by farmers in the form of LEAF’s wish to maintain their credibility amongst
throughout the lifetime of the agreement. (Linking Environment and Farming) ‘Green practitioners, they must acknowledge
This is achieved principally through Box’. Professional ecologists may argue that predation is a serious problem in
FWAG’s farmer membership scheme. As that this is not as scientific as standard many parts of the country that needs
a member of FWAG, farmers will receive Phase 1 and Phase 2 survey techniques to be addressed, albeit legally and
invitations to a range of farm walks, and this is clearly true. However, there humanely, if scheme options for ground
evening talks and presentations, technical are not the funds available to pay for nesting birds are to be successful in
briefings and ‘FWAG Forums’ as well as professionally completed surveys of terms of maintaining and hopefully
its regular newsletters and e-bulletins. large numbers of farms and therefore increasing population numbers.
Members also receive free telephone the use of the Green Box approach would
advice and we receive regular calls about serve as an excellent compromise. FWAG advisers, research scientists at
topics such as establishing wild bird seed Furthermore, by engaging farmers, the Game and Wildlife Conservation
mixes, managing field margins, hedgerow land owners and land managers to do Trust (GWCT) and many other amateur
establishment and so on. We believe this this would create a far more trusting naturalists are all in agreement about
follow up service is essential if agri- relationship as they would have ownership the role that predation has in limiting
environment schemes are to make a real of the results. the breeding success of many ground
difference for wildlife. nesting birds and waders. These birds
Learning from the are the target species for many agri-
Engaging the Farmer Past…
environment options, particularly in the
Higher Level Scheme. They have precise
FWAG has always believed that the
adviser has another vital role, and that The existence of the Public Service
is to enthuse the farmer about what they Agreement (PSA) targets prior to
have on their farm and what they could the change of Government led to a
have if they embrace the agreed options disproportionate focus on farmland birds
that will form part of their scheme. while other species were seemingly
Contrary to popular opinion, many ignored by many within Government
farmers are innately passionate about Agencies. There is a clear argument that
wildlife and conservation and also are farmland birds are the litmus test for
extremely knowledgeable about natural the health of all habitats and species.
history. They may not know the names However, channelling all efforts into
for everything, but they know where conserving a list of top 20 species can
it grows or lives and what it needs to be counterproductive.
thrive. Those farmers that do not show Farmers that have good ecological Farmers discussing the management
these characteristics during an initial visit understanding often do not relate to a of low input grassland and scrub
are very often persuaded and quickly target driven approach when seeking control at FWAG Best Practice Event
10 In Practice March 2011Ecology and Agri-Environment
habitat requirements but they are also
particularly susceptible to predation.
Other research projects, notably the
Otterburn project, managed by GWCT
have backed up the findings from Romney
Marsh.
There is no doubt that the decline in
habitat quality and the fragmentation of
many valuable habitats has made many
wildlife species far more susceptible
to extreme climatic events and other
pressures. For example, the extreme
weather conditions that have prevailed
in the UK during recent years have
nevertheless had drastic effects on the
populations of certain species. Cool,
wet summers have affected the survival
of a wide range of invertebrate species,
especially butterflies and moths. The very
cold winters both last year and this are
known to have caused large increases
in mortality rates in bird and mammal Soil management demonstration day – farmers learning about how to diagnose
populations. different soil conditions in order that management prescriptions and cultivation
The science of agri-environment methods can be fine tuned accordingly
schemes and their constituent options
is still relatively new. GWCT has It is also essential that the advisers It will also necessitate policy-makers and
been instrumental in researching the who are guiding the farmers are able farm advisers to consider how improved
effectiveness of a range of options at to give up to date information about environmental value can be gained
their Allerton Project at Loddington the predicted income foregone figures from ELS as this is often overlooked
in Leicestershire. Recent research for implementing a particular option when considering specific conservation
has focused on resource protection, in a specific location and covering an outcomes. For example, many of the
particularly soil management, as well estimated area. By giving the farmer options in ELS are appropriate for
as species-specific studies and a accurate data in order that he/she is buffering such sensitive wetland or
wider research project looking at the able to make an informed choice, he/ woodland sites, as long as they are
impact of positive game management she is more likely to choose the right suitably located. Similarly, the low input
on biodiversity. Detailed species options and sign up to an agreement that grassland options would also be useful
surveys across the estate have been will make long-term sense for him/her when seeking a means of buffering or
completed every year since 1992 and even if there are increases in commodity even extending valuable grassland sites.
these have contributed to one of the and livestock prices. Furthermore, if the For this to be effective, it is vital that the
most comprehensive landscape scale farmer can see that the farm business advice given to farmers and landowners
ecological experiments in the UK. is not suffering unduly as a result of the is based on ecological principles. A
schemes, he/she is more likely to do significant number of ELS schemes are
Looking to the more for wildlife and the environment if
and when his/her agreement is up for
currently prepared by agents who have
little or no ecological understanding and
Future… renewal. will therefore seek to achieve the points
target with little thought to the long-term
Sound ecological science must form the The current policy framework indicates
environmental benefits that the scheme
basis of future agri-environment options that achieving substantial environmental
will deliver. Is this right to achieve the
and the prescriptions that define them. gain on farmland will be essential if
best outcomes?
However, this must be coupled with farm- ‘a coherent and resilient ecological
based research to investigate whether network’ is to be established. Lawton’s In summary, agri-environment schemes
they are practical at the farm level. Even Making Space for Nature report offer huge potential for achieving robust
farmers that would describe themselves (September 2010) states that networks habitats at a landscape scale that have
as dedicated conservationists are of wildlife habitat to link National Nature value for a variety of wildlife including
unlikely to favour options that are Reserves, SSSIs and local wildlife sites many of our declining species. For the full
difficult to establish or require significant will be critical to the survival of our potential of agri-environment agreements
management input during busy times most important ecological resources. to be realised, it is vital that the farmer
of the year. On a positive note, many of Furthermore, these ‘core areas’ will need receives advice based on sound
the resource protection prescriptions to be buffered by suitably robust habitats ecological principles from an adviser with
that GWCT are refining at Loddington to prevent further degradation. the experience and knowledge to fully
also deliver significant benefits in terms understand both the farming implications
To achieve the principal aims of the
of resource efficiency. For example, and the likely environmental outcomes
Lawton report, it will be essential to work
options that promote soil health will also of the proposed scheme. Only this will
closely with farmers and their advisers
facilitate more efficient nutrient uptake, achieve the benefits for fauna and flora
in order to utilise appropriately located
thus reducing fertiliser bills. With fertiliser that we are all agreed that we would like
and managed agri-environment scheme
prices predicted to reach an all time high to see now and in the future.
options. This joined up approach will
in 2011, this is an attractive prospect for require strategic ecological planning at a
any farmer. national and local level.
Correspondence:
alex.billson@btinternet.com
In Practice March 2011 11Catchment-Scale Flood Storage and Wetland Restoration
Catchment-Scale Flood Storage and
Wetland Restoration:
A Programme of Rural Works in Northumberland
Anne Lewis, Elizabeth Bunting, Maria Hardy CEnv MIEEM and Alistair Laverty MIEEM
Environment Agency
T hrough the Environment Agency’s Local Levy
funding, we have developed a programme of
projects that work with natural processes such as
Restoring Floodplain Wetlands
The River Till Wetland Restoration Project (RTWRP) is led by the
tidal inundation and overland flow paths, to address Tweed Forum, and has worked with farmers and land managers
flooding and restore habitats such as saltmarsh. to find a sustainable approach to flood management by
returning land to the natural floodplain, changing management
Many of these projects deliver multiple benefits practices and allowing the development of wetland habitats.
such as reducing the risk of flooding, restoring
or creating habitats and improving water quality. The Till Project’s first major scheme was on three farms in the
Fenton Floodplains; a system of more than 22 km of floodbanks
Working with land managers to achieve this has
that have restricted the natural floodplain of the River Till in
been paramount to the success of the projects and this area of low lying fertile farmland for the past 60 years. The
highlights the opportunities to improve areas of three farms of West Fenton, Nesbit and North Doddington are
agricultural land while ensuring ‘business as usual’ located on the northern edge of Milfield Plain, approximately 20
for farmers. km south of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Farming practices vary between the three farms. Nesbit has a
Need and Opportunity mixed farming system, with arable crops grown in rotation with
grass leys on the gentle slopes below the farm. The low lying
In rural Northumberland, the post war drive for farming
fields adjacent to the river and the floodbanks have heavier
efficiency led to the creation or upgrading of many rural and
less free draining soils. The remnants of rigg and furrow, and
coastal floodbanks as well as improving field drainage. The
old drainage networks are clearly seen in these permanent
Environment Agency (and its precursors) have managed and
pastures. North Doddington is a large intensive diary farm with
maintained these defences for the last 60 years.
the majority of the fields under arable or in short rotation grass
This situation has now changed due to a number of factors. leys. West Fenton is predominantly arable, with peas, potatoes,
These are: carrots and wheat grown in rotation.
• Changes in Government thinking about flood risk In addition to the traditional farming enterprises, West Fenton
management (as outlined in Making Space for Water), Farm also runs the Fenton Centre and Cafe. Opened in 2005,
funding reductions and a shift towards protecting built the centre provides an educational and recreational resource
property and assets. on the diversity of life in the countryside, addressing the past,
present and implications for the future as well as promoting
• Changes in agri-environment incentives to support this project. North Doddington Farm is home to the Doddington
environmental improvements and an enlightened farming Dairy, where artisan cheese and luxury ice-cream are produced
community willing to engage with Higher Level Stewardship by the Maxwell family.
schemes.
The Project enhanced 150 ha of land by abandoning or
• Requirements from the Water Framework Directive to breaching 6,700 m of floodbank. This includes 73 ha of new or
achieve Good Ecological Status/Potential of water bodies,
and to deliver Biodiversity Action Plan Targets.
In 2003, the Environment Agency and Natural England set up
a small working group to assess the feasibility of landscape-
scale habitat creation and restoration projects based around
the removal of flood defences, both inland and on the coast.
The proposal to remove sections of floodbank was seen as
controversial by the local farming communities. We engaged
the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) to float the
idea with landowners and farmers in the area and the positive
response from partners and the farming community provided
the momentum for the programme.
Case Studies
These are examples of work carried out under the Environment
Agency’s Local Levy programme. They demonstrate the
diversity of work within the programme and the common goals
of managing flooding while sustainably increasing the scope for
wildlife within a productive farmed environment. New channel at Doddington
12 In Practice March 2011Catchment-Scale Flood Storage and Wetland Restoration
restored wetland habitat, the reconnection of 85 ha of active the Fenton Burn. The new naturalised channel was created with
floodplain and 5,700 m of riverbank brought under positive the help of an American giant, the RSPB’s ‘Big Wheel’ Liebrecht
management. rotary ditch cutter. The efficiency of the ditcher allowed us
to complete the work in a week, compared to six weeks for a
In this intensively farmed part of north Northumberland the
conventional digger. This reduced the risk of flooding disrupting
wetlands now support a rich assemblage of plants and animals,
work. It is the first time this ditcher had been used in Northeast
many of which are rare or threatened. These include waders
England, and given the frequency of floods in 2008 and
such as lapwing, snipe, redshank and curlew, wildfowl such as
2009, it turned out to be a very prudent choice. The Fenton
pink foot and greylag geese, widgeon and teal, and mammals
Burn, instead of flowing within an embanked and straightened
such as otter, water vole and water shrew. As the habitats
channel, now meanders across the newly restored floodplain.
mature and diversify, a wide range of plants, amphibians and
This new channel is over 1,400 m in length and connects with
insects will also benefit. Fenton Floodplains has now become
a series of existing wetlands, new foot drains and scrapes. As
a major habitat creation and demonstration site and a place of
well as providing an enhanced habitat for wildlife, it attenuates
local interest and value.
flood flow to the river with increased storage, and reduces
Below are the case studies from each farm. the silt inputs to the river with areas of deposition within its
floodplain.
Nesbit Farm The main floodplain fields are now managed for breeding
waders. The surrounding meadows will be managed for hay
On Nesbit, the heavier soils of the floodplain have meant that or late cut silage followed by aftermath grazing. Elsewhere on
drainage is poor. Historically the fields have been drained West Fenton, we planted 1.2 ha of wet woodland, and a small
through a three mile network of ditches and foot drains, all Phragmites reedbed has been created.
flowing into the Fenton Burn via a simple sluice system.
The Till Project developed a plan to open out and re-profile over Reconnecting Tidal Processes
a mile of ditch and foot drain. We installed a series of sluices in
order to manage water across either the whole site, or within Northumberland 4shores is an innovative project working to
discrete cells. We also removed a 200 m section of floodbank find sustainable approaches to tidal flood defences in rural
to allow flood waters back across the floodplain and to increase areas and to restore natural floodplain function. Led by the
habitat diversity by creating a series of small pools and scrapes Environment Agency, the project contributes to sustainable
along the ditch network. coastal land management, delivers biodiversity conservation
targets, and enhances the areas for eco-tourism through
The lawn and tussock nature of the sward and the hydrology on recreational and landscape improvements.
Nesbit lends itself to the development of snipe and redshank
habitat and these fields will be managed in the spring and The project realigns or removes flood defences, working with
summer to provide optimum breeding conditions for these natural processes rather than trying to artificially defend against
two wader species. During the winter, the fields will be flooded tidal flooding. Instead of protecting marginal farmland, the
to provide an area suitable for winter wildfowl such as teal, tide is being allowed to flood pastureland to create wetlands,
widgeon and pink footed geese. therefore, flood defence money can be reinvested to protect
homes and businesses. This approach is particularly relevant
North Doddington at this time, when agricultural subsidies are being directed
away from production towards achieving more environmental
On North Doddington, the challenge was to establish a objectives.
high water table without impacting on the field drains in the Northumberland 4shores has contributed to the delivery of
surrounding arable fields. During October 2009, we employed priority UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) habitat targets,
the RSPB’s Liebrecht ditcher to create 2 km of shallow ditches principally coastal saltmarsh and intertidal mudflat (25 ha)
and a number of scrapes. Then in 2010, using a technique and a mosaic of open water wader scrapes, wet grassland
pioneered by the RSPB on Bearney Marshes, we used a wind and grazing marsh and reedbed (20 ha). The habitats will
pump to lift water from a culverted stream into a series of benefit wading birds and wildfowl in particular, but also benefit
shallow ditches and swales. The benefit of this is in creating a invertebrates, saltmarsh plant communities and mammals such
natural series of shallow pools by simply allowing the water to as otter.
fill low lying parts of the field, rather than undertaking expensive
and disruptive earth works to achieve the same result. A simple Opportunities to create new intertidal habitat on the
sluice is used to manage water levels throughout the site. Northumberland coast are relatively limited due to the local
geography and the need to work on privately owned land.
West Fenton Farm Northumberland holds a relatively small amount of estuary
land previously reclaimed for agriculture or other uses. Once
In February 2008, we removed 450 m of floodbank, to ensure a suitable site is found, changes to its management are at the
that flood water from the River Till and the minor watercourses discretion of the landowners, so the involvement, co-operation
could once more spill over the floodplain. We breached the bank and enthusiasm of the farming and landowning community is
in three places, deliberately ‘over-sizing’ the breaches to reduce crucial to successful project delivery.
the risk of scour and future maintenance costs.
Once the work to the banks was complete, we restructured and Waterside House Farm and Hipsburn
re-seeded the arable fields on the landward side of the bank
using a more herb rich mix used for marginal slopes.
Farm, Alnmouth
Northumberland 4shores started work at Waterside House
The heavily modified Fenton Burn forms the boundary between
Farm in Alnmouth in September 2006. This work could not have
West Fenton and Nesbit. Isolated from the main River Till by a
progressed without the incentive to the farmer of the Higher
large metal flood gate, the lower reaches of the stream had
Level Stewardship Scheme (HLS). The farmer receives support
become an overgrown agricultural ditch. Using a combination
for management of the saltmarsh site and other farm elements.
of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) mapping and historic
The agreement allows him to graze the saltmarsh with cattle,
maps it was possible to identify the pre-18th century course of
but with much lower stocking levels than previously.
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