Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
JNCC is the statutory adviser to Government on UK and
international nature conservation. Its work contributes to
maintaining and enriching biological diversity, conserving
geological features and sustaining natural systems. JNCC delivers
the UK and international responsibilities of the four country
nature conservation agencies - Council for Nature
Conservation and the Countryside, the Countryside Council for
Wales, Natural England and Scottish Natural
Heritage.
JNCC held a public consultation on the selection of the first
7 offshore SACs, between 20 December 2007 and 14 March 2008. In
total, 38 individuals and organisations responded to the
consultation, with respect to both the science underpinning site
identification, and the socio-economic costs and benefits of the
sites to inform the Impact Assessments. The report of responses to
the consultation and the alterations made to the sites and
documentation following consultation are now available.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, your role will
lead on the oversight of Science related issues such as
conservation standards, biodiversity surveillance and reporting and
co-ordination of research. Much of this work requires close
collaboration with a variety of stakeholders including the nature
conservation agencies in the four UK countries. You will also be a
member of the Executive Management Board, having joint
responsibility for the strategic direction of the JNCC. The closing
date for receipt of applications is 29 August 2008.
JNCC has just published on its website new information
about biodiversity surveillance schemes that has been built up in
consultation with a wide range of partner organisations. It
includes an easy-to-use database of schemes and their results, an
analysis of policy needs, and a review of geographical and
taxonomic coverage that identifies important gaps. This
information about current surveillance has been used to develop a
UK Terrestrial Biodiversity Surveillance Strategy for the
future.
The publication coincides with the launch of the
UK – Environmental Observation Framework
(UK-EOF) which aims to enable the
UK to achieve a robust
evidence base for understanding the changing natural
environment. The UK Terrestrial Biodiversity Surveillance
Strategy will be developed as part of the UK-EOF, contributing and
working to its principles.
The keeping of the humble tortoise as a pet in the UK is on the
increase. This has influenced the trade in these species,
encouraging breeding and importation. Monitoring the trade and
preventing illegal trade of tortoise species is made more difficult
when they are not individually or uniquely marked (this is a
requirement of EC CITES Regulations). Current veterinary advice in
the UK is that juvenile tortoises with a plastron length of under
100mm are too small to be safely marked with a microchip
transponder.
Faced with this problem, JNCC has commissioned a consortium,
led by the International Zoo Veterinary Group (IZVG), to find new
and innovative ways to permanently mark juvenile tortoises. A
consultation has been opened and the IZVG is seeking the views of
all those with an interest in tackling this issue. Anyone wishing
to have an input into the project is encouraged to
submit their views and comments.
A Conservation Framework for Golden Eagles: implications for
their conservation and management in Scotland
A new report from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) concludes
that illegal persecution is the most severe constraint on
Scotland’s golden eagles, preventing them from achieving a healthy
population in suitable habitats throughout parts of the
country. Over-grazing of moorland habitats by sheep and deer
in some part's of the bird range were also identified as reducing
breeding success. The report was produced in partnership with
members of the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme: Scottish
Raptor Study Groups, Rare Breeding Birds Panel, RSPB Scotland, BTO
Scotland, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and
SNH.
The Habitat Classifications area of the website
has been updated and expanded. There is more
information on the National Vegetation Classification
(NVC) and the Phase 1 Habitat
Classification . These are two of the most important
systems used in the UK to identify and map terrestrial habitat
types, such as woodland, grassland and heathland. "The improvements
look good, nicely structured and comprehensive," said Dr Stephan
Hennekens, European Habitat Expert based at Alterra, The
Netherlands. The additional material includes several publications,
spreadsheets, and a GIS palette that can be downloaded free of
charge.