The numbered paragraphs follow the respective numbered
sections of the policy.
2. Introduction. In response to
the launch of the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Rio
'Earth Summit', Target 36 of
Biodiversity the UK Action
Plan (Anon., 1994) is to "Update and publicise guidelines on
translocations, re-establishments, introductions and re-stocking".
This publication comprises part of these conservation guidelines,
for those activities relating to habitats translocations. Related
translocations issues concerning non-native species are dealt with
by the
Review of non-native species policy (Anon., 2003),
while
A Policy for Conservation Translocations of
Species in Britain (JNCC, 2003) addresses the movement of
native species for conservation purposes. Habitats translocation is
defined here as the movement of assemblages of species, mainly
plants, (typically including the substrates, such as soil and
water, on and in which these species occur) from their original
site to a new location. Available information shows that it is not
possible to move species assemblages without substantial changes
taking place in the structure of the habitat and its species
composition, thus rendering the translocation unsuccessful.
3. Aims. The four principal aims
of this habitats translocation policy are to maintain British
wildlife in favourable conservation status, to reduce the number of
proposals to translocate high quality habitats, to ensure proper
scrutiny of any habitats translocations put forward for habitat
restoration and to improve monitoring of the results of habitats
translocations.
4. Previous initiatives on biological
translocations in Britain. The history of previous
initiatives to review biological translocations in Britain is
summarised briefly, with references to selected policy and review
documents.
5. Key conservation
issues in relation to habitats
translocations.Habitats translocation has
been proposed as a means of saving wildlife from areas threatened
by development. These translocations have been portrayed by some as
a means of reducing the impact of developments (mitigation),
whereas in reality they can only partly make amends for
developments (as incomplete compensation). Habitats translocation
has also been proposed as a tool for restoring degraded habitats,
which requires further research and additional guidelines. This
research should include experimental investigations to discover the
causes of changes in assemblages after translocation, as well as
comparing the outcomes of habitats translocations with the
predictions made at the outset by advocates of such
translocations.
6. Legal issues concerning habitats
translocations. Existing wildlife legislation does not
contain provisions for habitats translocations, the main legal
instruments reside within planning law (Town and Country Planning
Act, 1990). Planning inquiries decide which sites should be
protected from developments and where habitats translocations can
be used in partial compensation for those developments that are
allowed to proceed.
7. Conservation policy for habitats
translocations. The translocation of habitats is considered by the
statutory conservation agencies not to be an acceptable alternative
to in situ conservation. The statutory conservation agencies
will continue to make the strongest possible case against
translocating habitats from within SSSIs and from ancient habitats
(or other areas with significant biodiversity interest) elsewhere.
The principal reasons why habitats translocations are not an
acceptable substitute for conserving biodiversity in its original
location are summarised under seven headings. The role of habitats
translocations for restoring degraded habitats is considered, with
the emphasis upon avoiding translocation from SSSIs and other
significant sites. Approval of habitats translocation for habitats
restoration should be contingent upon demonstrating a net gain for
biodiversity as a result of the proposal.
8. Future data collection and reporting
mechanisms. Habitats translocations should be systematically
recorded and the results reported regularly to ensure that proper
monitoring is carried out, with the results available to inform
future work. There is the need to agree who should be responsible
for setting standards for habitats translocations and for making
best use of the results.
*
Members of the Inter-agency
Translocations Working Group, who have participated for at least a
period of time since its inception, comprise: Prof. M. Crawley
(Joint Committee), Prof. W. Heal (Joint Committee), Prof. F. Last
(Joint Committee), Dr. M. Howe (Countryside Council for Wales), Dr.
R. Mitchell (English Nature), Dr. A. Douse and Dr. S. Ward
(Scottish Natural Heritage), Dr. I. McLean (JNCC Support
Unit).