Blogs by All

Do ecosystem services really win arguments for biodiversity conservation? New report from BESAFE investigates

BESAFE (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Arguments for our Future Environment) recently produced a report on how we can use the value of nature to argue more effectively for conserving biodiversity. In a guest blog, the authors discuss the results that show a surprising range of motivations behind the conservation of nature. 


Rosie Hails discusses the Valuing Nature Programme

Stepping stones across a river - (c) NERC

I recently talked to Professor Rosie Hails, the head of the Programme Coordination Team (PCT) for the Valuing Nature Programme (VNP), about the importance of considering nature's cultural, social and economic services. Rosie also discusses the role of the VNP, and explains how the PCT works to bring research communities together. 

To learn more, please watch the video below or view it on the Valuing Nature YouTube channel

 

 


New paper: Exploring connections among nature, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health and well-being

An interesting paper by Sandifer et al (2015) explores the opportunities to enhance health and biodiversity conservation:-   

Exploring connections among nature, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health and well-being: Opportunities to enhance health and biodiversity conservation doi:10.1016/j.ecoser.2014.12.007


Moving onto a new role

This blog was created as part of the original Valuing Nature Network (2011 - 2014)

This will be my last post to the Valuing Nature Network site in my role as VNN communications manager, as I prepare to say goodbye to the Valuing Nature Network, and take up my new role as the Communications and Impact Manager for the ESRC-funded Nexus Network.

It's been great working with you over the past couple of years and I have learnt a huge amount about the research, policy and business interests in valuing nature.


Greenwashing the Common Agricultural Policy

This blog was created as part of the original Valuing Nature Network (2011-2014)

The newly reformed European Common Agricultural Policy includes compulsory greening measures, linked to the direct farm subsidies rather than being voluntary. 

This should have been a good change, further protecting farmed ecosystems across Europe and the important services they provide. Our analysis, published today in Science, explains why it is not. 


Strategic pollinator conservation, English style

This blog was created as part of the original Valuing Nature Network (2011-2014)

The National Pollinators Strategy for England came out yesterday for consultation. In it, the Government outlines what it will do to help pollinators over the next 10 years.

Essentially it boils down to three things that are new:

• Provide targeted Government guidance on how to help pollinators
• Fund research to start filling in some glaring knowledge gaps
• Implement a new pollinator monitoring scheme from 2016.


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