Thomson environmental consultants’ Post

Why is it crucial to protect biodiversity? 🐾 According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), global wildlife populations have dropped by 69% since 1970—a shocking reality that highlights the urgent need to address the biodiversity crisis. Biodiversity is vital not just for nature’s beauty but for clean air, food, and other essentials that sustain life on Earth. 🐝 For example, bees are critical to this balance, pollinating one-third of the food we eat and supporting ecosystems that countless species rely on. However, they face growing threats from habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, and disease. In Europe, around 40% of bee colonies have been lost in less than a decade, and 9.2% of species are now at risk of extinction, according to the IUCN. 🚨 What can we do to protect biodiversity? We can support sustainable agriculture, reduce pesticide use, promote habitat connectivity by establishing ecological corridors, implement agroforestry systems to enhance landscape complexity and adopt regenerative agriculture practices to restore soil health. Forestry and land use projects play a key role in protecting biodiversity as they prioritize these core objectives, contributing directly to the preservation of our planet's ecosystems. Discover more: https://lnkd.in/eedUUjz4 #Biodiversity #SustainableAgriculture #EcoFriendly #ProtectOurPlanet #ClimateAction #EcosystemHealth #Sustainability

We all depend on the survival of bees. Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities. Pollination is a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity. To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face, and their contribution to sustainable development, the United Nations designated May 20 as “World Bee Day.” The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply. We all depend on pollinators and it is, therefore, crucial to halt the loss of biodiversity, which includes bees. Learn more by visiting https://lnkd.in/gUzgZtzM #WorldBeeDay2024 #WorldBeeDay #savethepollinators

🌿 Restoring Nature's Rainforests in Exmoor National Park 🌿 It might just be me but like a dung beetle I'm always drawn to cowpats, interested to see if they are natural dollops of opportunity for nature or festering pharmaceutical hazards. I obviously prefer the former. So I love this quote from the article... "what we want is cowpats that are alive – you can see the evidence here,” says Holly Purdey, pointing at dung beetle holes. She took on the 81-hectare (200-acre) Horner farm in Exmoor national park in 2018, challenging herself to produce beef and lamb while restoring nature to land she says had been “trashed” by intensive farming." Exciting conservation efforts are underway in Exmoor to restore temperate rainforests. Farmers and conservationists are working together to revive these ecosystems, balancing the needs of nature with sustainable farming practices. This partnership is key to preserving biodiversity and ensuring that both wildlife and agriculture can thrive in harmony. Restoring these lost temperate rainforests could have a significant positive impact on carbon sequestration, water management, and local biodiversity 🌱. It’s a powerful reminder that when communities unite, nature can flourishes. #naturalprocesses #nbs #rainforests #biodiversity #naturerestoration

Today is (not) the day!? 🐝 Happy international Bee day! But let’s be(e) real! Bee conservation is not just a one-day thing; it's a every day commitment. Through pollination, bees ensure the growth of not only wild plants but also a significant portion of the crops we rely on for sustenance. Without them, the yields of our agricultural efforts would drop dramatically. And to be honest, life would be(e) less sweet without honey! Next to this, Bees play a crucial role in conservating and enhancing biodiversity. 🌱 They are basically biodiversity heroes and the guardians of global plant populations and species diversity, which in turn, have an impact on the populations of other animal species. Our fuzzy friends work tirelessly and perform an extraordinary service for our environment and our food sources! We are deeply reliant on their population and well-being. Let's make sure to appreciate and protect them every single day, not just on their designated "special" day. 🐝 PS: Did you know that bees just love dandelions? They are an important food source for wild bees. So maybe think twice when treating them like an ordinary weed the next time. #SaveTheBees #BeeConservation #Pollinators #Biodiversity #Sustainability #EnvironmentalProtection #BeeAwareness #ProtectOurPollinators #WildlifeConservation

🌱 Day 15 of #ScottishAgritourismMonth with #GoRural. At Solsgirth Home Farm, sustainability isn't just a buzzword – it's a way of life. By working hand in hand with the land, ecosystems, and wildlife habitats, we're ensuring the long-term viability of our farm while contributing to the health and resilience of our local environment. 🌾 From rotational grazing to regenerative farming practices, we prioritize methods that promote soil health and biodiversity. By rotating our livestock, we replenish nutrients in the soil and prevent erosion, ensuring the land remains fertile for generations to come. 🦋 Our farm is not just a place of production but also a haven for wildlife. We maintain hedgerows and wildflower meadows to provide habitats for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Additionally, designated areas for native tree planting support local wildlife populations and promote biodiversity.

#NoMowMay As enims advise on ways of managing and increasing the biodiversity on sites small and large we couldn’t let the benefits of No Mow May pass without sharing a few facts and figures! 🌱The UK has lost approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows since the 1930’s and with them vital food needed by pollinators, like bees and butterflies and other insects. 🌱In 2019, the British Ecological Society found that reducing the intensity of lawn mowing can lead to increased biodiversity, economic savings, and even the reduced presence of serious allergy-triggering weeds. 🌱Research as part of the Plantlife campaign found that simple changes in mowing can result in enough nectar for ten times more bees and other pollinators and their study discovered that over 200 species were found flowering on lawns. 🌱80% of British plants are pollinated by insects and without them it has been suggested that we would risk around £690 million a year in lost crops and increase risk to our food security. 🌱Cutting grass short reduces root depth, deep-rooted grass can reduce the erosion of soil which could help towards flood risk in the long term. 🌱long grass and wildflowers hugely benefits wildlife, tackles pollution and can even lock away carbon below ground. #NoMowMay #biodiversitymatters #environment

Today is World Environment Day and we’re talking about land restoration and rewilding. Did you know that since 1930, we’ve lost a whopping 97% of our wildflower meadows in the UK? It doesn’t sound too good, but does it really matter? It most certainly does, because wildflowers are a vital source of nourishment for our pollinator population. According to The Wildlife Trust, we have our pollinators to thank for every third mouthful we eat. They explain “Many species of bee, moth, butterfly, hoverfly, fly, and beetle provide an essential service in the UK (and globally), pollinating £690 million worth of crops annually. Taking over this job ourselves would be difficult and time-consuming and would cost us an estimated £1.8 billion every year!” So not only do wildflowers support food security but, much like any woodland, the root system of an established wildflower meadow provides structure, similar to how foundations support a building. This makes the ground stable, preventing landslides and soil erosion (where nutrients within the soil is washed away). Similarly, abundant root systems absorb excess water, which helps to mitigate flooding, something which we’ve seen a rise in, in recent years. We understand the importance of rewilding and biodiversity and are excited to be part of the journey. The UK government has recognised this too, which is why they’ve introduced a new planning regulation called Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). The aim is to “make sure wildlife habitats are left in a better state than before development, and in doing so make a significant contribution to nature’s recovery”. #Sustainability #SustainableDevelopment #BiodiversityNetGain #Rewilding #Wildflowers

Biodiversity Net Gain. The weed police are out in force this week, and we've now moved from the South Oxfordshire weed-gate saga to Breckland in Norfolk for yet another one. Our scheme is to redevelop an ageing poultry farm. The habitats on site are 4 x ageing poultry buildings, concrete aprons, and the three gaps in between the poultry sheds are gravel filled filter drains and as with all gravel surfaces, some weeds. Not wanting to be caught out again following the South Oxfordshire saga, we deployed the roundup treatment on the nettley habitat. Our consultant ecologist visited the site and prepared the baseline BNG with a score of zero, and the application was submitted under the de-minimus exemption. A particularly zealous member of the weed police deployed their sleuthing skills and identified a green weedy tinge on the gravel from the October 2022 spy in the sky. A habitat is declared !!. How dare you try to claim a de-minimus exemption !. Now comes the full BNG assessment, offsite credit purchases, and the section 106 legal agreement with all of the substantial associated costs, all for the sake of a few nettles growing on some gravel. At what point are the powers that be going to accept that the current format of BNG simply does not work and is costing a fortune to developers, causing substantial planning delays and preventing economic growth and achieving nothing for the most part. My post last week on the ridiculous nature of BNG has had more than 20,000 views, and from the people viewing my profile, I know that powers that be are watching. Please put the small sites exemption back in place and the sooner the better.

We’re delighted to have introduced flowering lawns across two of our contracts in Leuchars and Dudley. Flowering lawns are a perfect balance between traditional lawns and wildflower meadows to support biodiversity, they attract pollinators like bees, which play a crucial role in plant reproduction. With 35 UK bee species under threat due to climate change and pesticides, these lawns provide essential food for bees and contribute to a vibrant ecosystem for birds, bats, and other creatures. Tim Howell, Managing Director, Landscapes, Mitie, said: “As part of our strategy to be the UK’s greenest commercial landscaping provider, we’re always looking to trial new innovations to keep us leading the industry. Our customers are showing increasing demand for solutions that support biodiversity on their sites, so we look forward to delving into the results of these trials to understand how flowering lawns can develop nature positive landscapes whilst maintaining a neat and attractive appearance.” Find out more > https://lnkd.in/esQ9ZEAb #FloweringLawns | #Biodiversity

"𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿?" Yes, agricultural expansion is not just changing landscapes; it’s driving us toward Earth’s sixth mass extinction. The habitat loss caused by converting wild spaces into farmland is pushing countless species to the brink of extinction. A ray of hope lies in the LIFE metric (Land-cover change Impacts on Future Extinctions), a groundbreaking tool developed by scientists to quantify the real cost of habitat loss. By analyzing data from over 30,000 vertebrate species, LIFE scores reveal where land-use changes are causing irreversible damage—and where restoration could turn the tide. This isn't just a tool—it’s a wake-up call for policymakers, conservation groups, and us as consumers to take action. Together, we can make informed decisions that protect biodiversity while promoting sustainability. The time to act is now, before extinction becomes our legacy. FICCI #SaveSpecies #Biodiversity #HabitatLoss #Sustainability #LIFEscore #ConservationMatters #ExtinctionCrisis #EnvironmentalAction