/ Biodiversity

Biodiversity

Biodiversity Action Plan

Derry and District Biodiversity Partnership led by Derry City Council is pleased to open a public consultation on the Derry Local Biodiversity Action Plan...more info»

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of all living things around us. Derry and its surrounding countryside have a wealth of plants and animals and important natural landscapes, many of which are threatened and need our help for protection. Society as a whole needs to look after native plant and animals, protect ecosystems, and raise awareness of the value of our natural environment.

Why is Biodiversity Important?

Biodiversity is important to everyone because:

it provides raw materials for food, clothes and medicine

it provides natural services which give us clean water and clean air

it improves our quality of life and promotes healthy living

exposure to nature can even improve our children’s self-confidence and emotional development

it is important to the economic development of industries, e.g. agriculture, fishing, and tourism all depend on biodiversity

it inspires local artists and forms part of our cultural heritage and landscapes

Biodiversity Awareness in Derry

Biodiversity Awareness Survey

In 2008, Derry City Council on behalf of the Derry and District Biodiversity Partnership, commissioned a Biodiversity Awareness Survey, to establish the baseline of biodiversity awareness in the area. The survey was repeated in June 2010, to meet Derry's Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) objective, to conduct Biodiversity Awareness Surveys every two years.

The survey results show that 68% of respondents were aware of the term 'biodiversity' and 38% understood the meaning of the term. This represents a 200% increase in awareness and a 300% increase in understanding of the term over a two year period. A total of 76% of respondents were able to relate biodiversity to their quality of life and were concerned about the decline of biodiversity in Northern Ireland. Many demonstrated a willingness and enthusiasm to take actions that will benefit biodiversity, with 74% feeding the birds in winter and 67% practicing wildlife friendly gardening. The majority of respondents (73%) were aware of a priority species or habitat and 47% of respondents could identify an invasive species.

69% of respondents were aware of communications relating to biodiversity, representing a 200% increase in awareness since the baseline survey was conducted in 2008. Local newspapers provided the most effective form of communication. The increase in awareness and understanding of biodiversity can be attributed to the success of Derry City Council's publicity campaign to meet the LBAP aim, 'to raise awareness and knowledge of biodiversity issues'.

The International Convention on Biological Diversity

The Rio Earth Summit in 1992 introduced the term Biological Diversity or Biodiversity. Over 150 countries, including the UK, signed the Convention on Biological Diversity. This convention commits these countries to safeguarding all biodiversity on earth for future generations. This includes safeguarding wildlife and habitats in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland and Biodiversity

The Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group (NIBG) was established in 1996. It is made up of representatives from key sectors of the community including local government, central government, business, academia, and the voluntary sectors. The NIBG made 76 recommendations to Government for the protection of biodiversity at national and local levels. They also recognised that looking after biodiversity is not only the responsibility of statutory bodies but also of society as a whole and that its various sectors have an important part to play.

What is a Local Biodiversity Action Plan?

Local Biodiversity Action Plan

Habitat and Species action plans

A number of habitats and species in the UK and Northern Ireland have seriously declined at an international, national and/or local level. These are called priority habitats and priority species. Derry City Council in partnership with RAPID Ltd. has established a Derry and District Biodiversity Partnership (DDBP) in 2007 to develop a Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP). This partnership will ensure input from a range of stakeholders and interest groups in biodiversity conservation and will ensure that local priorities are given equal attention and protection. The LBAP will highlight priority habitats and species present in Derry and its surrounding countryside, and the DDBP will work together to create and implement action plans to safeguard these priority habitats and species.

How you can help?

If you would like to do one thing for nature you can:

Register for environmental volunteering activities, for example, red squirrel feeding, meadow management, bat, bird and butterfly surveys, with Derry City Council. No experience necessary, as full training will be provided;
Join the Local Red Squirrel Group;
Join the North West Bat Group;
Join a local conservation Group – Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland or RSPB; or
List the rest of the items under this heading

Join a local conservation group such as Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland, Ulster Wildlife Trust, or the Woodland Trust and take part in the activities they have to offer.
Start recording different species you see – we can use this information when deciding how to protect those species

Plant a native tree or hedgerow in your garden

Put up a bird or bat box in your garden

Use peat-free compost in your garden

Create a woodpile by taking untreated logs or pieces of wood and stacking them in an area that won’t be disturbed. This type of habitat will benefit beetles, hedgehogs and fungi.

If you don’t have a garden what about creating a wildlife area in your local community greenspace

Visit one of your local parks and observe the wildlife that lives there