The UK has a rich assemblage of terrestrial and marine
habitats created by its diversity of climate, geology, topography,
and land use. It hosts significant proportions of the European and
biogeographical ranges of habitats such as estuaries, heaths and
raised bogs, and also has some habitats such as Caledonian pine
forest which are found nowhere else in the world.
Over the last 50 years, terrestrial wildlife habitats
have been significantly reduced in extent and their condition has
declined due to pressures such as agricultural intensification,
afforestation, urban development, and atmospheric pollution. In
addition, coastal habitats, particularly in the south and east of
the country, are being subjected to erosion due in part to climate
change. Networks of national and local wildlife sites provide a
major mechanism for protecting and managing important habitats.
These sites are further supported by a range of wider countryside
and landscape initiatives and designations.
The JNCC provides advice and assistance to government to
enable it to meet its obligations under the EC Habitats Directive.
In particular, the JNCC has the role of co-ordinating the
identification and submission of possible Special Areas of
Conservation (SACs) to the European Commission, including the
identification of offshore marine sites. Detailed information on
the selection of SACs in the UK is included in JNCC's
SAC
Selection pages. The JNCC is also working with the country
agencies to secure an agreed interpretation of 'favourable
conservation status' and an agreed process for monitoring and
reporting of Natura 2000 sites.
Advice on habitat conservation issues is also required to
support the implementation of the EC Water Framework Directive and
the Ramsar Convention in the UK. For example, the JNCC is working
with other statutory bodies to agree standards relating to the
Water Framework Directive. Under the Ramsar Convention, the JNCC
provides support to government at international meetings
and is also responsible for review of the national series
of listed Ramsar sites.
Under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the JNCC is assisting
in the implementation of Habitat Action Plans (HAPs), e.g. by
supporting HAP steering groups. We are also co-ordinating a
comprehensive review of the existing series of BAP priority
habitats to identify any potential gaps in coverage.
Providing advice on habitat monitoring and surveillance is an
important part of the JNCC's work. We also work closely with
the country agencies on guidance for the monitoring of
habitat, species and earth science interest features on protected
sites under the 'Common Standards Monitoring' programme. We are
also helping to develop
habitat surveillance/monitoring initiatives in
the wider countryside with a view to promoting effective habitat
and species conservation measures, e.g. by advising on the
development of habitat inventories and contributing to the
development, implementation, and assessment of results from
the GB and Northern Ireland Countryside Surveys.
The JNCC provides advice to government on the environmental
impacts of human activities. In particular, we are working with
other organisations to assess the effects of climate change, air
pollution, pesticides, biotechnology and genetically-modified
organisms (GMOs), and to advise on mitigation measures where
appropriate.
The JNCC also supports habitat conservation by advising on
survey methodologies and maintaining common standards for habitat
classifications. Information is provided through publications (e.g.
on Phase 1 survey and the National Vegetation Classification (NVC))
as well as on-line resources such as the marine biotope
classification. The JNCC also supports habitat conservation
by advising on survey methodologies and maintaining common
standards for habitat classifications. Information is provided
through publications (e.g. on
Phase 1 survey and the
National Vegetation Classification (NVC)
as well as on-line resources such as the marine biotope
classification.
Much of the JNCC's work on habitats is undertaken by staff
working within a team based in Peterborough. To facilitate and
support particular aspects of its work, inter-agency Lead
Co-ordination Networks (LCNs) have been established for freshwater,
uplands, lowland grasslands, lowland heathlands, woodlands, lowland
wetlands, coastal habitats, soils and air pollution. Each of the
LCNs is chaired by a specialist based in one of the country
agencies and is supported by a network officer. For other
specialist areas of JNCC work, one of the country agencies leads on
behalf of all the agencies. Such lead agency arrangements have been
established for pesticides and toxic chemicals, GMOs and climate
change.