Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth and includes all species of plants and animals and the natural systems that support them. Biodiversity is a core component of sustainable development and has an important role to play in developing locally distinctive and sustainable communities.
Conservation of biodiversity is vital in our response to climate change and in the delivery of key services including flood, flood management, pollination and provision of clean air and water.
Public authorities such as universities have a key role to play in conserving biodiversity through their work in developing and implementing policies, managing land and buildings, developing infrastructure, engaging with business and the public, conducting research, making decisions about procurement and implementing environmental programmes.
What are we aiming for?
The University of Derby has a duty to conserve biodiversity whilst exercising our functions. The duty was introduced by the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (PDF, 512kb) which came into force in 2006.
We will aim to raise the profile and visibility of biodiversity as well as making it an integral part of policy and decision making.
Why is this important?
We're facing a global crisis. More and more species are facing extinction largely due to human activities and not natural causes. Even species that were very common thirty years ago are now dropping at an alarming rate. The dramatic decline in common Britain garden birds for example such as song thrushes, house sparrows and starlings, each of which have more than halved since the early 1970s shows that no species is entirely free from the threat.
It is critical that we all play our part in conserving biodiversity which includes restoring and enhancing species populations and habitats, as well as protecting them.
What are we doing?
During 2010 the University undertook an Initial Ecological Audit, the findings of which have been used to develop our first Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
The Ecological Audit (PDF, 2.41 mb) provides an overview of the types of the habitats and species present on each tutorial site and Sturgess Fields and the BAP (PDF, 1.85 mb) states the measures we will implement over the next 5 years to ensure we conserve, protect and enhance our local environment. We are already making progress by putting up bird feeders, bird tables and bird and bat boxes.
Although integrated into the BAP, a separate habitat management plan exists for Sturgess Fields (PDF, 56 kb). Work is currently underway to complete the works advised within this plan which includes cutting the grass in the meadow area to prevent the loss of biodiversity that would occur if the area is unmanaged and allowed to revert to scrubland.
Our work at the University helps support the wider Lowland Derbyshire Biodiversity Action Plan 2011-2020 (PDF,12 mb)
The Summer Edition of Derbyshire Biodiversity News (PDF 856 kb) is now available featuring:
- Local Nature Partnerships
- Biodiversity Action Plans for schools
- DerwentWISE
- Wall Brown
- Green Flags for Local Nature Reserves
- Greenwatch Action Grant
Oaklands Manor
Following the recent acquisition of Oaklands Manor we are currently undertaking both an arboricultural survey and an ecological assessment to understand the ecology and biodiversity of this site.
Bees
For the second year running, the University of Derby has sponsored a bee hive (PDF, 242 kb) in the Midlands area by working in partnership with the British Beekeepers Association. Their factsheet (PDF, 629 kb) provides a very useful overview of the honey bee.
What can you do?
If you are interested in getting involved with any element of the biodiversity agenda at the university, please contact the Environment Services Team on Ext 1093.
For more information about biodiversity in Derbyshire visit www.derbyshirebiodiversity.org.uk.
