What is 'landscape scale' delivery?

Landscape-scale nature conservation identifies opportunities to expand, link and buffer key sites, helping wildlife to adapt to the challenges of climate change and other pressures.

In Hampshire this work is achieved through many different organisations, often in partnership, focusing on places highlighted for their natural value.

The strategic identification of ecological networks and Biodiversity Opportunity Areas and encouraging the sustainable land management of local wildlife sites (SINCs) are some of the key ways adopted in Hampshire to achieve landscape scale delivery.

Benefits of healthy ecosystems

Conserving biodiversity is fundamental to achieving a sustainable future for Hampshire. The health of the environment is pivotal to our quality of life and is the foundation of our economy. There are many ecosystem services that we depend on for...

...health and wellbeing

• attractive landscapes and urban areas
• cultural inspiration
• relaxation, recreation, exercise and enjoyment
• community skills and opportunities
  learn more about nature and health

...maintaining the environment

• climate regulation and global ecosystems
• pollution control
• flood drainage and control
• water quality and quantity
• soil provision and prevention of erosion
  

...a vibrant economy

• products such as food, medicines and clothing
• raw materials for industry
• tourism
• inward investment due to attractive surroundings
• high quality urban planning and design
  

...building knowledge

• environmental education and life-long learning
• monitoring the state of the environment
• source for scientific discovery of medicines, essential goods and biotechnology
• historical analysis

Climate change and biodiversity

Climate change is the biggest long term threat to our natural environment and is one of the greatest challenges facing society.

The vital services (ecosystem services), that the natural environment provides will be directly affected by climate change and indirectly affected by non-sustainable adaptation actions that society might take.

These services include:

• flood management
• urban cooling and shade
• water quality and storage
• pollination
• soil formation
• and increasingly important, carbon storage.

If society and the economy are to adapt to climate change, it is crucial to minimise the effects of the damaging impacts to the natural environment.

Green infrastructure

The primary functions of Green Infrastructure are to conserve and enhance biodiversity, create a sense of space and place and support healthy living by increasing outdoor recreational opportunities for people.

GI also has an important role to play as one of many tools that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change - reducing the incidents and severity of flooding, supporting healthy ecosystems and reducing energy consumption by regulating the heat in urban spaces by managing micro climates.

The South East Green Infrastructure Framework is a reference tool for planners, local authorities and others. It provides guidance for implementing Green Infrastructure (GI) in the South East.