The Border Uplands Partnership has adopted an Ecosystem Services approach to inform their management priorities of the Border Uplands area around Bellingham, Otterburn and Kielder. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitats have been mapped by Natural England. 46% of the Border Uplands area is included in these priority habitats. This consists mainly of heathland, blanket bog, calcareous grassland and deciduous woodland. The Border Uplands Partnership held a workshop in November 2012 where priority Ecosystem Services provided by the Border Uplands area were identified: timber, climate regulation, water, and sense of place. The focus has been to define the value of these services, and the key locations where these services are provided. A variety of datasets were used to map the ecosystem services, mapping the quality and location of services. Wetland opportunity mapping also took place. A series of maps were developed where the physical and ecological conditions of the Border Uplands could support wetlands. Some of the maps indicated the current wetlands area and future potential wetlands areas.
Northumberland National Park Authority, Border Uplands Partnership
UKNEA
Which ecosystem services were focused on?:
- Aesthetic/inspiration
- Sense of place/heritage
- Education
- Recreation/tourism
- Spiritual/religious
- Crops, livestock, fish
- Energy
- Trees, standing vegetation, peat
- Water supply
- Climate regulation
- Detoxification and purification in air, soils and water
- Flood control
- Hazard regulation