Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
The Biodiversity Conservation Strategy (BCS), adopted in 2014 as part of Corporate Report R141 , recognizes Surrey’s biodiversity as a key foundation of a healthy, livable and sustainable City. The goal of the Strategy is to preserve, protect, and enhance Surrey’s biodiversity in the long-term by:
Identifying and quantifying current biodiversity and habitat resources in the City; Prioritizing options and establishing management criteria for the Green Infrastructure Network ("GIN"); Specifying management criteria and strategies for urban ecosystems and habitat elements; Setting conservation targets for natural areas and indicator species; Recommending policy and procedures that will support the initiatives in the Strategy; and Providing a long term monitoring program that builds on management objectives, criteria and indicators to measure the success of the strategy.
Biodiversity Management Areas.
The BCS divides Surrey into fourteen (14) Management Areas (based on geography, climate, land use, habitat quality and quantity etc.) that recognize a diversity of habitat types and ecosystems . Representative wildlife species are selected to guide management decisions in different management areas based on specific habitat requirements of these species.
Habitat Suitability Mapping.
Habitat Suitability mapping is based on work completed for the 2011 Surrey Ecosystem Management Study and Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping data and incorporated information from the Environmentally Sensitive Areas ("ESA") map and other relevant data sources based on species at risk presence, species accounts and known ecosystem habitat inventories. This map identifies the most biologically diverse habitats across the City in a comparative analysis from highest value to lower values. The Habitat Suitability map also helps to direct the conservation of key biodiversity assets in the City and was used in part to derive the Green Infrastructure Network map.
Green Infrastructure Network.
A Green Infrastructure Network ("GIN") is an interconnected system of natural areas and open space that conserves ecosystems and functions, while providing benefits to both wildlife and people as illustrated in the Green Infrastructure Network Map. The Surrey GIN has been developed following three core principles of biodiversity conservation.
Preserving large core habitat areas. Ensuring connectivity between habitat areas. Providing a diversity of habitat features throughout the City.
The Surrey GIN identifies that approximately 10,200 acres (4,130 hectares) of land are required to maintain the City’s biodiversity. As the City develops over the next 40-50 years, land use tools are expected to result in the retention of approximately 2,000 acres (810 hectares) of land in support of the BCS, leaving approximately 1,100 acres (445 hectares) needing to be acquired in concert with the development of the City. Of the approximately 1,100 acres, just over 200 acres (81 hectares) are within the ALR.
Biodiversity Management Policy.
The City has several tools to manage biodiversity, but there are limitations. Municipal authority is granted under the Local Government Act, which includes the ability to protect and acquire land/funds through parkland dedication or other mechanisms. In addition to the acquisition of lands, funding is required to support related biodiversity conservation strategies including development of a Farm Trust to support biodiversity stewardship on ALR lands, the development of specific habitat features and design elements, public education on environmental protection and restoration of GIN lands, as well as ongoing monitoring.
The BCS Policy Recommendations to support biodiversity are separated into categories. Many of these recommendations support and build on existing policy, including the OCP, the Sustainability Charter and Integrated Stormwater Management Plans. In addition the BCS summarize the condition and recommendations for the Biodiversity Corridors and proposed Hubs and Sites identified in the Green Infrastructure Network using the above noted mechanisms in Appendix J of the BCS.
Monitoring and Reporting.
High level progress of the BCS and GIN acquisition will be monitored annually and reported upon as part of the annual Sustainability Charter Progress Report. A more detailed BCS monitoring report will be provided to Council every 4-years which summarizes the results from the BCS monitoring strategy and how it is specifically delivering on the BCS and the Environmental Pillar Objectives of the Sustainability Charter.
Implementation and Next Steps.
Incorporate Sensitive Ecosystem Development Permit Areas (DPAs) and Guidelines within new OCP through future amendment; Include the Suitability Habitat map into the OCP through a future amendment; Develop Terms of Reference for the development of a Riparian Area By-law; Develop a Financial Strategy to support the BCS; Amendment to the Surrey Sustainable Development Checklist to include measures that support the BCS; Bring forward housekeeping amendment to the Tree Protection By-law, Soil Conservation and Protection By-law, and Pesticide Use and Control By-law incorporating BCS mapping.
Contact our Environment Office at 604-591-4691 and/or our Community Planning Division Office at 604-591-4485 with any questions on the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, or any of the related BCS progress reports.
Introduction to Melbourne Strategic Assessment.
The Victorian Government has developed four conservation strategies for our growth corridors.
Agreement to undertake the strategic assessment.
In June 2009, the Victorian and Commonwealth governments agreed to undertake a strategic assessment of the Victorian Government's urban development program Delivering Melbourne's newest sustainable communities .
Made under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 , the agreement focuses on matters of national environmental significance.
The areas included in the program and covered by the MSA are:
areas added to the Urban Growth Boundary by planning scheme amendment VC68 (the 2010 Urban Growth Boundary); areas in the Outer Metropolitan Ring/E6 Transport Corridor and the Regional Rail Link corridor; and, areas in the existing 28 urban precincts within the 2005 Urban Growth Boundary.
The areas covered by the program are shown on map 1 and maps 3 to 6 of the Program Report.
The MSA is the first of its kind in Australia to be submitted for Commonwealth Government approval.
Commonwealth Government approvals.
The Commonwealth Government has provided approvals under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) for four classes of actions regulated by the MSA Program:
No further approvals are required under the EPBC Act for urban development in these areas, as long as development follows the Program Report and the conditions of the approvals which ensure that urban development proceeds in a way that protects matters of national environmental significance.
Approval is still required from the Commonwealth Government for development of the Outer Metropolitan Ring Transport Corridor/E6 Road Reservation.
Program report.
Part of the agreement with the Commonwealth Government includes a range of commitments relating to conservation outcomes and mitigation measures. These commitments were made to ensure that urban development proceeds in a way that protects matters of national environmental significance.
These commitments are set out in the Program Report and include the establishment of the Western Grassland Reserves and a Grassy Eucalypt Woodland Reserve outside the Urban Growth Boundary.
The Program Report was endorsed by the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment on 2 February 2010.
Strategic Impact Assessment Report.
The Strategic Impact Assessment Report evaluated the impacts of the Victorian Government's urban development program on matters of national environmental significance. It also identified a range of conservation measures to mitigate the impacts of the program on these matters.
The report was submitted to the Commonwealth Environment Minister to support the endorsement process for the Program Report.
Planning scheme amendment VC68.
Planning scheme amendment VC68 gave effect to key aspects of the Victorian Government's urban development program, including:
the expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary; and, Public Acquisition Overlays for the proposed Western Grassland Reserves, the Regional Rail Link, and the Outer Metropolitan Ring Transport Corridor/E6 Road Reservation.
The amendment was ratified by Parliament on 29 July 2010 and gazetted on 6 August 2010.
Conservation strategies under the MSA.
The Victorian Government has developed four conservation strategies for the growth corridors. These identify how key commitments under the Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA) will be achieved.
The approved strategies are:
DELWP has also developed the Guidance Note: Implementing the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Melbourne’s Growth Corridors to set out how key components of the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Growth will be implemented.
Tools and processes for implementing the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy through the planning system will be finalised and publicly available once planning schemes are amended.
Areas covered by the conservation strategies.
The conservation strategies apply to:
16 of the existing 28 urban precincts in the 2005 Urban Growth Boundary; the Outer Metropolitan Ring Transport Corridor/E6 Road Reservation; and, the four growth corridors in the expanded 2010 Urban Growth Boundary.
The growth corridors covered by the strategies are:
the Western growth corridor (Melton/Wyndham); the North-western growth corridor (Sunbury/Diggers Rest); the Northern growth corridor (Hume/Whittlesea/Mitchell); and the South-eastern growth corridor (Casey/Cardinia).
The 16 urban precincts covered by the strategies are identified in the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
These strategies do not apply to the Regional Rail Link corridor between Werribee and Deer Park (section 2) or to 12 of the existing 28 urban precincts in the 2005 Urban Growth Boundary (those precincts approved before 1 March 2012).
Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
The Biodiversity Conservation Strategy is the overarching strategy for the protection of biodiversity in the growth corridors and is a significant step towards finalising the planning for biodiversity required by the Melbourne Strategic Assessment.
addresses all relevant matters of state significance, as well as matters of national environmental significance protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ; ensures the long-term protection of biodiversity in the growth corridors, by setting up a network of conservation areas; and, sets out conservation measures to protect important biodiversity outside Melbourne to complement actions within the growth corridors.
The Biodiversity Conservation Strategy informs the Growth Corridor Plans prepared by the former Growth Areas Authority. These plans set the strategic direction for future urban development of land in the growth areas over the next 20 to 30 years.
Sub-regional species strategies.
Sub-regional species strategies have been prepared for the Growling Grass Frog, the Golden Sun Moth, and the Southern Brown Bandicoot. These threatened species are matters of national environmental significance protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 .
The sub-regional species strategies will help ensure the long-term protection of Growling Grass Frog, Golden Sun Moth, and Southern Brown Bandicoot in the growth corridors.
The Sub-Regional Species Strategy for the Southern Brown Bandicoot also focuses on conservation actions for the species outside the area covered by the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
We have also prepared a supplement to the Sub-regional Species Strategy for the Southern Brown Bandicoot to clarify and provide additional guidance on commitments to provide habitat connectivity for the Southern Brown Bandicoot in Melbourne's south-east region.
Land Protection under the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
The Victorian Government prepared the document Land Protection under the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy to describe the mechanisms and governance associated with acquiring and protecting land in Conservation Areas identified as part of the MSA, and to identify the criteria that will be used to prioritise land for acquisition under the program.
To view these documents visit Publications.
Public consultation.
The draft conservation strategies were released for public consultation, along with the Growth Corridor Plans prepared by the former Growth Areas Authority, for a six-week period from 9 November 2011 to 20 December 2011.
The final conservation strategies have responded to feedback and new information received during public consultation processes.
To view these documents visit Publications.
Time stamping data.
The Victorian Government commissioned consultants to collect native vegetation data on properties where landowners had requested it. The collection was undertaken in accordance with specific assessment standards, including the mapping and assessment tasks required, the standards and formats for data collection, and the quality assurance standards.
The vegetation mapping and condition assessment procedures report outlines these standards. To view these documents visit Publications.
The time-stamping data is available for viewing via NatureKit.
The time-stamping data informs habitat compensation obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions.
What are conservation areas?
A conservation area is an area of high biodiversity value that will be permanently protected and managed to achieve the conservation outcomes committed to as part of the Melbourne Strategic Assessment.
How were the conservation areas in the strategies determined?
These areas were determined by the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning based on the best available data and in consultation with the Growth Areas Authority (now VPA) and the Department of Planning and Community Development. A range of factors were considered, including the:
contribution of the area to achieving conservation of threatened species and ecological communities; requirements of the sub-regional species strategies and prescriptions in relation to the protection of land; size and significance of any populations of matters of national environmental significance; quality of native vegetation; and, ability to practically manage the area, considering factors such as the area's size and shape and adjacent likely future land uses.
How will the conservation areas in the strategies be protected?
Planning provisions will be used to designate the land in the conservation areas as unsuitable for urban development, and to require land in the conservation areas to be secured for conservation, when landowners seek a planning permit for development or works on a property that includes a conservation area.
Land in these conservation areas will be secured through legal agreements (restrictive covenants) under section 69 of the Conservation Forests and Land Act 1987, vesting in a public authority or voluntary acquisition by the Crown.
A Conservation Management Plan will be prepared for each conservation area to outline how these areas will be protected and managed.
What happens if new species are listed as threatened or new species are discovered in the growth corridors in the future?
Because the protection and conservation of species is considered at a growth corridor level and to ensure planning certainty, the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy does not require the future protection of matters not currently known to occur in the growth corridors. This also includes those that are not currently listed or nominated for listing.
How will the conservation areas in the strategies be funded?
Landowners who remove native vegetation and habitat for certain threatened species within the growth corridors must pay habitat compensation fees to DELWP. The fees will be used to protect and manage the conservation areas.
For further information on these fees, visit Habitat Compensation.
What do the sub-regional species strategies do?
The Sub-Regional Species Strategies for Growling Grass Frog and Golden Sun Moth identify all land in the growth corridors that will be protected for the conservation of those species and set out how this land will be managed.
The sub-regional species strategies informed the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. All land requiring protection for the conservation of the Growling Grass Frog and the Golden Sun Moth has been identified in the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
The Sub-Regional Species Strategy for the Southern Brown Bandicoot focuses on conservation actions for the species in a management area outside the Urban Growth Boundary. The supplement identifies additional actions to provide habitat connectivity in the Melbourne's south-east region.
How were seasonal herbaceous wetlands addressed?
Seasonal herbaceous wetlands were listed as a matter of national environmental significance under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 after public consultation had been undertaken on the draft Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
Subsequently, the Victorian and Commonwealth governments agreed to address seasonal herbaceous wetlands separately to the strategy.
A previous report identified occurrences of seasonal herbaceous wetlands within the growth corridors. The Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands report showed that significant areas of this community will be protected in the Western Grassland Reserves and other conservation areas.
DELWP general enquiries: 136 186 VicEmergency Hotline: 1800 226 226 Local Government Switchboard: 03 9208 3333.
Deaf, hearing or speech impaired? Please contact the National.
Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation | Ecology.
The following points highlight the top two strategies for biodiversity conservation. The strategies are: 1. In Situ Conservation 2. Ex-situ Conservation Strategies.
Biodiversity Conservation: Strategy # 1. In Situ Conservation :
The areas of land and/or sea especially for protection and maintenance of biodiversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources. These areas are managed through legal or other effective means, e. g. National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The earliest national parks are: The Yellowstone National Park in USA and the Royal National Park near Sydney, Australia. These parks were chosen because of their scenic beauty and recreational values.
Today, many such protected areas throughout the world protect rare species. World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) has recognized 37,000 protected areas around the world.
In India, some important measures are taken.
They are as follows:
Approximately 4.7 per cent of the total geographical area of the country has been earmarked for extensive in situ conservation of habitats and ecosystems. A protected area network of 89 National Parks and 492 Wildlife Sanctuaries have been created (MOEF, 2002). The results of this network have been significant in restoring viable population of large mammals, such as tiger, lion, rhinoceros, crocodiles, elephants, etc.
The Jim Corbett National Park, Nainital, Uttaranchal, was the first National Park, in India.
The Indian Council of Forestry Research (ICFRE) has identified 309 forest preservation plots of representative forest types for conservation of viable and representative areas of biodiversity. 187 of these plots are in natural forests and 112 in plantations covering a total area of 8,500 hectares.
A programme entitled ‘eco-development’ for in situ conservation of biological diversity involving local communities has been initiated in recent years. The concept of ‘eco-development’ includes the ecological and economic parameters for sustained conservation of ecosystems by involving the local communities with the maintenance of earmarked regions surrounding protected areas.
The economic needs of the local communities are taken care of under this programme through provision of alternative sources of income and a steady availability of forest and related produce.
The main benefits of protected areas are:
a. To maintain viable populations of all native species and subspecies.
b. To maintain the number and distribution of communities and habitats. Conservation of the genetic diversity of all the existing species.
c. To prevent human caused introductions of alien species.
d. To make it possible for species and habitats and shift in response to environmental changes.
Biosphere Reserve Programme:
Biosphere reserves are a special category of protected areas of land and/or coastal environments, wherein people are an integral component of the system.
The biosphere reserves are representative examples of natural biomes and contain unique biological communities.
The concept of Biosphere Reserves was launched in 1975 as a, part of UNESCO’s ‘Man and Biosphere Programme, dealing with the conservation of ecosystems and the genetic resources contained therein.
Till May 2002, there were 408 biosphere reserves dispersed in 94 countries.
In India, thirteen biodiversity rich areas have been designated as Biosphere Reserves applying the diversity and genetic integrity of plants, animals and microorganisms. (See map and table 14.8).
In India, Biosphere Reserves are also notified as National Parks.
Zonatism of a Terrestrial Biosphere Reserve:
A terrestrial biosphere reserve consists of core, buffer and transition zones.
(i) The natural or core zone comprises an undisturbed and legally protected ecosystem.
(ii) The buffer zone surrounds the core area, and is managed to accommodate a greater variety of resource use strategies, and research and educational activities.
(iii) The transition zone, the outermost part of the Biosphere Reserve.
This is an area of active cooperation between reserve management and the local people, wherein activities like settlements, cropping, forestry, recreation and other economic uses continue in harmony with people and conservation goals.
The main functions of biosphere reserves are:
To conserve the ecosystems, a biosphere reserve programme is being implemented, for example, conservation of landscapes, species and genetic resources. It also encourages traditional resource use.
The concept of eco-development integrates the ecological and economic parameters for sustained conservation of ecosystems by involving the local people with the maintenance of earmarked regions. Biosphere reserves are also used to promote economic development which is culturally, socially and ecologically sustainable.
(iii) Scientific Research Programme:
Programmes have also been launched for scientific management and wise use of fragile ecosystem. Specific programmes for management and conservation of wetlands, mangroves and coral reef systems are also being implemented.
Under this programme, 21 wetlands, 15 mangrove areas and 4 coral reef areas have been identified for management. National and sub-national level committees oversee and guide these programmes to ensure strong policy and strategic support.
Sacred Forests and Sacred Lakes:
In India and some other Asian countries, a traditional Strategy for the protection of biodiversity has been in practice in the form of sacred forests or groves. These forest patches of varying dimensions are protected by local people due to their religious sanctity. Generally, they are most undisturbed forests without any human impact.
In India, sacred forests are located in several parts, such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Meghalaya, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, etc., and serve as refuge for a number of rare and endangered taxa.
Similarly several water bodies are declared sacred by the people, e. g., Khecheopalri lake in Sikkim. Such water bodies protect aquatic flora and fauna.
Six internationally significant wetlands of India have been declared as Ramsar Sites under the Ramsar Convention. To focus attention on urban wetlands threatened by pollution and other anthropogenic activities, state Governments were requested to identify lakes that could be include the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP).
World Heritage Sites:
Under the World Heritage Convention, five natural sites have been declared as ‘World Heritage Sites’.
Five natural World Heritage Sites are as follows:
a. The Tura Range in Gora Hills of Meghalaya is a gene sanctuary for preserving the rich native diversity of wild Citrus and Musa species.
b. Sanctuaries for rhodendrous and orchids have been established in Sikkim.
A potential example of an highly endangered species in the Indian Tiger (Pantfiera tigris). It is estimated that India had about 40,000 tigers in 1900, and the number declined to a mere about 1,800 in 1972. Hence project tiger was launched in 1973.
At present these are 25 Tiger Reserves spreading over in 14 states and covering an area of about 33875 sq. km and the tiger population has more than doubled now due to total ban on hunting and trading tiger products at national and international levels.
d. Project Elephant:
This project was launched in 1991-92 to assist states having free ranging population of wild elephants to ensure long term survival of elephants in their natural habitats.
Rhinos have been given special attention in selected sanctuaries and national parks in the North East and North West India.
All these programmes, though focussed on a single species, have a wider impact as they conserve habitats and a variety of other species in those habitats.
Biodiversity Conservation: Strategy # 2. Ex-situ Conservation Strategies :
The ex situ conservation strategies include: botanical gardens, zoological gardens, conservation stands and gene, pollen, seed, seedling, tissue culture and DNA banks.
Seed gene banks make the easiest way to store germplasm of wild and cultivated plants at low temperature.
While in field gene banks, preservation of genetic resources is being done under normal growing conditions.
This type of in vitro conservation is done in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196°C. This is particularly useful for conserving vegetatively propagated crops, e. g., potato.
Cryopreservation is the storage of material at ultra-low temperature (i. e., -196° C) either by very rapid cooling, as used for storing seeds, or by gradual cooling and simultaneous dehydration, as being done in tissue culture.
In cryopreservation, the material can be stored for a considerable long period of time in compact low maintenance refrigeration units.
According to currently available survey, Central Government and State Governments together run and manage 33 Botanical Gardens, while Universities have their own botanic gardens.
A scheme entitled Assistance to Botanic Gardens provides one-time assistance to botanic gardens to strengthen and institute measure for ex-situ conservation of threatened and endangered species in their respective regions.
There are more than 1500 botanic gardens and arboreta in the world containing more than 80,000 species. Many of these botanic gardens now have seed banks, tissue culture facilities and other ex situ technologies.
Zoological gardens (zoos). In India, there are 275 zoos, deer parks, safari parks, aquaria, etc. A Central Zoo Authority was set up to secure better management of zoos.
There are more than 800 professionally managed zoos around the world with about 3000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Many of these zoos have well developed captive breeding programmes.
Conservation of Wild Species:
The conservation of wild relatives of crop plants, animals or cultures of microorganisms provides breeders and genetic engineers with a ready source of genetic material.
India has 47,000 species of flowering and non-flowering plants representing about 12 per cent of the recorded world’s flora. Out of 47,000 species of plants, 5150 are endemic and 2532 species are found in the Himalayas and adjoining regions, and 1782 in peninsular India.
India is also rich in the number of endemic faunal species it possesses, while its record in agro-biodiversity is very impressive as well.
There are 166 crop species and 320 wild relatives along with numerous wild relatives of domesticated animals. Overall India ranks seventh in terms of contribution to world agriculture.
This Page Is Sponsored By.
Welcome to BiologyDiscussion! Our mission is to provide an online platform to help students to share notes in Biology. This website includes study notes, research papers, essays, articles and other allied information submitted by visitors like YOU.
Before sharing your knowledge on this site, please read the following pages:
Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2030 (the Strategy) was released in 2010 and is the guiding framework for governments to conserve our national biodiversity to 2030. It provides an overview of the state of Australia’s biodiversity and outlines collective priorities for conservation. The Strategy aims to coordinate efforts at a national level across all sectors to sustainably manage biological resources in a way that meets our current needs and ensures their long term resilience, health and viability.
Review of the first five years of Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.
In 2016 the Australian Government, state and territory governments, and the Australian Local Government Association completed a review on the first five years of the Strategy’s implementation with the support of three independent experts. The review examined the operation and national implementation of the Strategy, its ability to deliver Australia’s international biodiversity-related commitments, and opportunities for improvement.
On 25 November 2016, environment Ministers endorsed the report on the review and agreed to revise the Strategy based on the review’s findings.
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий