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Habitats

 

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.
 
 
 
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