BRUNEL UNIVERSITY. Brunel University Biodiversity Action Plan

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1 BRUNEL UNIVERSITY Brunel University Biodiversity Action Plan July 2011

2 Brunel University Biodiversity Action Plan Introduction. In 1994 the Government at that time published the UK Biodiversity Action Plan in response to signing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the 1992 Rio earth summit. The aim of the plan was to set up a programme for conserving the UK s biodiversity. This lead to a number of action plans for many of the most threatened species and habitats. This also included action at local levels where Local Biodiversity Action Plans would be created and where they can contribute to the National plans aims and objectives. A review of the UK BAP priority list in 2007 led to the identification of 1150 species and 65 habitats that meet the BAP criteria at UK level. What is Biodiversity? Biodiversity is the variability of all living organisms including animal and plant species, of the genes of all these organisms, and of the terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems of which they are part. It is the existence of a wide variety of plant and animal species in their natural environments. Why is it so important? Biodiversity is composed of many different ecosystems that provide humans with essential basic needs such as food, shelter, medicines, clean air and water. A diverse ecosystem can enrich the soil, protect against flood, storm damage and help regulate climate. There are also recreational benefits to be gained from a healthy diverse ecosystem. Plants clean the air and purify the water, wood helps to provide shelter. Vegetation helps to control soil erosion-root systems binding the soil and providing wind breaks. Loss of biodiversity would have many impacts on our lives because it would reduce the natural world s ability to provide us with these essential resources e.g. loss of pant diversity can lead to higher air and water pollution. There are a number of factors which have detrimental effects on the level of biodiversity four examples are development, pollution, inappropriate land management and climate change so humans have a moral obligation to conserve and enhance biodiversity where ever possible. 1

3 Why do we need a Brunel University Biodiversity Action Plan? There are a number of aims for the BUBAP: 1. To identify local priorities, habitat and species and determine the contribution that can be made to the Local and UK Biodiversity action plans 2. To protect and conserve habitats and species present all round campus 3. To create new areas for wildlife. 4. Raise awareness of Biodiversity to students, staff and the general public. 5. Encourage people to take an active part within the University community in biodiversity projects. 6. To enhance the quality of life for staff and students making the University an attractive place to live work and study. 7. To meet the University s Environmental compliance-section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006) this requires Public bodies to conserve biodiversity through both conservation and enhancement. Legislation affecting Brunel University The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 Weeds Act 1959 Water resources Act 1991 Policy planning Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation1994 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Hedgerows Regulations Act 1997 Section 106 Agreement with Brunel University and Hillingdon Borough council The Conservation (Natural Habitats) (Amendment) 1994 regs2000 SI 192 The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 Control of Pollution Act 1974 Campus Overview in brief Brunel University consists of 5 Sites all in close proximity to each other. Site 1, covering hectares mainly consists of accommodation blocks with meadows along the north and west sides. Site 2, covering hectares is mainly populated with offices, accommodation blocks, lecture blocks, shops and teaching areas with the river Pinn flowing through the middle of the site.

4 2. Site 3, covering 8.02 hectares consists of grass playing fields, artificial surfaces and running track. There are 4 main buildings on site, the pavilion, track storage, Groundsmans building and Groundsmans bungalow. There is also a car park. Site 4, covering hectares consists of the bicentennial garden and open meadow with the river Pinn flowing through the middle of the site. Site 5 covering hectares, consists of grass pitches and open meadow with the river Pinn flowing through the middle of the site. Geology and soils The area is underlain by glacial gravel existing on London clay. The gravel is covered by a layer of riverbrick earth. The soil is compacted and can be vulnerable to summer drought. Top soil for the new landscaped areas should have been graded to BS 3882 General Purpose however this varies considerably in quality depending on the project and in many cases is more economy grade. Depth of top soil also appears to have been ignored in places with depths well below 150mm making healthy establishment difficult in some areas. Bark mulch is present on many shrubberies and also green recycled compost has been used recently as a soil conditioner and top dressing

5 3 Habitats currently found on campus Habitats are identified using the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey as a guideline revised 2010.This sets out a standardised system for classifying and mapping all wildlife habitats including urban areas in Great Britain.

6 Site one OS grid ref. (505600, ) Description Site one lies between Cowley road to the West and Cleveland road to the East, the Isambard complex lying to the North of Station road. There are 20 accommodation blocks with mixed planting schemes of perennial, shrub and ornamental grasses which dominate the site. The Isambard complex has a swale planting to the East of the complex and mixed wild flower meadows to the West with amenity grassland around the blocks. There are three large meadow areas to the North and west of the site which fall within Section 106a planning agreement with regards to their maintenance and care. A 2 A 3.1 B 2 C 3.1 J 1.2 J 1.4 J 2.3 J 3.6 Scrub Broadleaf scattered trees Neutral grassland Tall ruderal Amenity grassland Introduced shrub Hedgerow with trees Built up areas; Buildings (Based on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey)

7 Site 2 OS grid ref. (506100, ) Description Site 2 lies between Cleveland road to the west and Kingston Lane to the east, with the river Pinn flowing through the middle of the site from north to south. There is a central spine path crossing the site with various paths leading to various teaching blocks, accommodation blocks, car parks and other facilities. There is also an ornamental pond next to Cleveland road and also a fenced in railway cutting. The river Pinn corridor provides a valuable green link through the campus across the boundaries of the borough. A 3.1 G 1 G 2 J 1.2 J 1.4 J 3.6 Scattered trees Standing water.pond Running water.river Amenity grassland Introduced shrub Built up areas. Buildings (Based on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey)

8 Site 3 OS grid ref. (506600, ) Site 3 lies to the East of Kingston lane, consisting of grass sports fields, an outdoor running track, hard surface tennis courts, all weather playing surface and a 3 rd generation pitch. There is a pavilion building on site with a Grounds man s machine store and tea room, also the grounds man s bungalow located next to the car park. A 2 A 3.1 J 1.2 J 1.4 J 3.6 Scrub Scattered trees Amenity grassland Introduced shrub Built up areas.buildings (Based on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey)

9 Site 4 OS grid ref. (506100, ) Site 4 lies to the south of site 2 and north of church road. The site is divided into two main areas by the river Pinn flowing through the middle North to south, the East side consists of the Bicentennial gardens, an open mosaic habitat on previously developed land, while the west side is mainly open meadow. Both areas are fenced off with palisade fencing. A 2 A 3.1 B C 3 G 2 J 1.3 J 2.3 Scrub Scattered trees Semi improved grassland Tall ruderal Running water. river Ephemeral/short perennial Hedgerow with trees (Based on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey)

10 Site 5 OS grid ref. (506250, ) Site 5 lies to the south of site 4 with Church road leading into Pield Heath road dividing them.the site is split into two areas by the river pinn corridor flowing from north to south. The East side of the river pinn is mainly laid out to sports pitches while the west side is mainly open meadow. A 2 Scrub B 2 Neutral grassland G.2 Running water. river J 1.2 Amenity grassland J 2.3 Hedgerow with trees (Based on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey)

11 Site Project Actions Timescale Progress Site1.Maintenance of the meadow areas as laid out in the 106A agreement with Hillingdon Borough council Implement a biannual cutting regime removing arisings; create more access for students, staff and public. Enhance the natural boundaries Meadow areas cut in April and September, access paths cut through using out front mower 8 times through the growing season. New planting carried out to enhance and enrich the natural boundaries Site 1 Tree management Carry out tree survey Tree survey carried out, all trees coded and marked up on site plan Site 2.Pond management To enhance pond and to control algae and establish natural habitats Report by Aquascience with proposals to establish reed beds with open matrix rooting areas to create habitat to increase zooplankton, continue using barley straw as an inhibiter against algae Site 2.Tree management Carry out tree survey Tree survey carried out, all trees coded and marked up on site plan Site 2. invasive species management Control of Giant hog weed and Himalayan balsam along the banks of the river Pinn Obtain licence from Environmental agency to weed spray invasive species on river banks 2012 yearly Maintenance of the meadows and arisngs removed within budget restrictions, new boundary planting established, control of thistle stand implemented Survey continuing, recording species, age, height, crown clearance, vigour and risk 2011 Apply for funding to carry out new planting. Regular oxygen levels taken. Maintenance on established plants carried out. Floating reed beds added to enhance habitat 2011 Survey continuing, recording species, age, height, crown clearance, vigour and risk 2011 (yearly) Spraying to take place in May to control invasive species. Agreement with Environment Agency up to 2014

12 Site 2. River Pinn bank stabilization Site 2.Grass management Site 3.Landscape management Site 4.landscape management Site 4. Stag beetle habitat creation Site 4. Bird nesting boxes Site 4. Bat boxes Site 5. Amenity management Stabilization to stop erosion, reinforcement planting and marginal planting to be carried out Create buffer zones on identified areas, eg. along hedgerows, north and south loop. Incorporate landscape corridors between facilities Create access paths through site east side of the river pinn Create loggeries in specially selected areas Identify suitable types of bird boxes and possible locations Identify suitable types of bat boxes and possible locations Create buffer zones along the edge of sports fields Coir rolls used at identified key points along river to inhibit erosion, new marginal planting carried out Reduce cutting frequency to twice a year along 2 metre strips to enhance habitat Landscape planting schemes using plants to enhance biodiversity with new tree planting carried out Pathways cut through giving access to site 4 implement different cutting regimes dependant on type of habitat Wood cut into manageable sizes ready for moving to Site 4 Bird survey implemented for specie identification Project completed Yearly Areas identified along North and south loop Project completed Yearly Access maintained, vigorous species controlled 2012 Loggeries built using suitable timber from felled trees. Wood left to decay naturally as habitat and food for stag beetle larvae 2012 Ongoing survey 25 Bird boxes purchased Sept 2012 Bat survey required 2012 Non to date Fertilize sports pitches only, 2 metre buffer zones along fence line to enhance biodiversity 2012 Restrict fertilizer usage and review buffer zones

13 Site 2 Pond improvements Create habitat refuge/pond dipping area Design a boardwalk and segregated area with fish exclusion zone. Extend floating reed beds to edge of boardwalk 2012 Boardwalk constructed exclusion zone created planting programme in progress. References. Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2010) Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 Hand book for Phase 1 habitat survey-a technique for environmental audit. UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitat Descriptions. BRIG (ed.ant Maddock) 2008 London Wildlife Trust Harling House, Great Suffolk Street Habitats of principal importance in England Institute for the Environment Brunel University Extracting information from river corridor surveys AM Gurnell, PG Angold, PJ Edwards London SE1 0BS British Geological Survey IEEM (Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management) Winchester Woodlands trust Rushmoor Borough Council 43 Southgate Kingston university Hampshire SO23 9EH

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