Ecological and Geological Services
The Landscape and Recreation Team provides advice and information on ecology, biodiversity and geology to the National Park Authority, partner organisations and the public This includes information about protected areas and species.
In recent years, concerns about biodiversity loss have become paramount. Biodiversity means the variety of life and without this variability in the living world, ecological systems and functions would break down, with detrimental consequences for all forms of life, the impacts of which are impossible to predict. Consequently, biodiversity is essential to ensuring the basic ecological services and resources necessary to sustain the well-being, not only of current, but also future generations (World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1992).
It is vital that biodiversity is recognised and valued as well as protected. The Earth's biological diversity benefits man through its intrinsic, ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic values.
Conserving biodiversity is one arm of the quest for sustainable development. The concept of conducting biodiversity audits arose as a result of the UK Government's political commitment to sustainable development. The North East Biodiversity Forum (a partnership to which the National Park Authority belongs) conducted a Biodiversity Audit of the Region in 2001. Details can be found on the Forum website.
A Biodiversity Action Plan and a series of species and habitat action plans have been produced by the National Park Authority for the National Park area. These plans can be viewed in the Wildlife area of our website. These include a wide range of actions which the National Park Authority seeks to implement and targets which we hope to achieve. Close working with our partners, English Nature, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, DEFRA and landowners and managers is essential in order to progress this work.
We also carry out or commission ecological research and survey work in the National Park and hold detailed biological records.
Responsibility for the protection of internationally and nationally designated sites of importance for biodiversity or geology lies with English Nature, the Government Agency which champions the conservation of wildlife and geology throughout England. Many individual wildlife species also receive statutory protection under a range of legislative provisions which can be seen on the English Nature website.
The underlying geology of the National Park shapes the landscape and the wildlife that is seen today. Traditional houses, buildings and walls are all influenced by the local geology and give the National Park a distinctive character. The National Park Authority is working with the British Geological Survey and English Nature to carry out a comprehensive audit of the National Park's geology, produce some publications to explain about the geology and human influence upon it, and to prepare a Local Geodiversity Action Plan.
Local Government List Number 596
Email: landscape.recreation@nnpa.org.uk
Telephone: 01434 611537
Fax: 01434 611656
