Biodiversity Management Plan

Transcription

1 Introduction This has been produced by the University of Kent as part of its Environmental Management System which outlines the University s commitment to environmental sustainability and the way in which the Campus is managed. This plan will seek to make sure that biodiversity becomes an integral part of the day to day running of the University s outdoor spaces through identification of the status of its habitats and the species present, and identifies key objectives for maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. Due to the contrasting nature of the two campuses in Canterbury and Medway these will be treated separately for the purposes of biodiversity management. Unless otherwise stated, all management action detailed in this plan relate only to the Canterbury campus. The Canterbury Campus is approximately 300 acres (km 2 ) in area, mainly comprising ornamental horticultural features, amenity and semi-natural grassland, woodland and hardstanding. The main use is recreational, with large areas set aside for grass sports pitches. Habitats Despite the increasing pressures on Kent s parkland style Campus and the intensive management required to maintain it as such there are, nonetheless, large areas of wildlife interest distributed across Campus. There are two major roads dissecting the site meaning there are limited opportunities to link these areas together. Ecologically valuable habitats on Campus include broad-leaved woodlands, grassland, ponds and streams, hedgerows and mature trees. Amenity Much of the non-built landscape comprises regularly mown, amenity grassland. As the majority of amenity grassland on Campus is used as recreational sports pitches, the management needs to reflect this use and, as such, biodiversity focus should be on the non-sports areas. The Central campus is managed as an amenity area with short cut grass and ornamental planting Species The various habitats across campus are home to a wide variety of species including a number of protected species, most notable of which is the Great Crested Newt. Page 1 of 11

2 There are a number of important wildlife corridors on the Campus. Habitat corridors are important for a range of species including birds, bats and water vole because they allow species to move freely between suitable habitats. On the Campus, the main issue is the severance of corridors due to the built-up nature of the environment and the current management regime. The main example of this is the tightly mown nature of the amenity grassland throughout the central campus with few un-mown strips or areas which has the potential to hinder the movement of species around the Campus. Medway The University s land on the Medway campus covers a number of small areas. From a Biodiversity point of view, only the land adjacent to and around the Medway, Rochester and Gillingham buildings is considered of interest. JFA Environmental ning were commissioned by the University to conduct an Ecological assessment (7) and provisional tree survey (8) of the area in July The Ecological assessment comprised a desk study, Phase 1 habitat survey and assessment of potential habitats present to support protected species, and a bat tree roost assessment. Overall, the site is deemed of low ecological value and the habitats have negligible ecological value. However, the mature trees and semi-improved natural grassland have low medium ecological value due to their potential to support protected species, they are also considered locally important due to the small number of similar habitats found in the immediate vicinity of the site. There are plans to develop a path through the woodland on this site and potentially create a reflective garden or similar space. There is nothing significant in the either the ecological or tree survey to preclude any particular areas from this development. Grounds Maintenance activities on site are contracted out to Deacon Landscapes on an annual schedule of works including grass cutting, shrub bed maintenance and hedge cutting. All grassland is kept as amenity grassland with the exception of one bank which is kept as wildflower to encourage Biodiversity. Management Actions Woodland Regular, formal management of the woodlands in the form of coppicing has not taken place in recent years. Current management consists of the removal of trees that pose danger to people from falling. Small scale coppicing has occurred inconsistently in the past carried out both by the Grounds Maintenance team and by student volunteers as part of the Conservation Society. A woodland management plan has been developed ( The University of Kent, Woodland Management Strategy (5) which was prepared for the University by Land Use Consultants (LUC) in Page 2 of 11

3 September to include coppicing and other woodland management practices for Bluebell Wood, Brotherhood Wood and Park Wood. Some management of the woodland formed part of the planning requirements (3, 4) for the development of the new KBS/Maths building. These actions have been incorporated into the action plan in the appendix of this document. Mature Trees Tree surveys are conducted periodically to assess risk as required for insurance purposes. A number of Tree Preservation Orders exist across campus and all proposed works take into account the requirements set by these Orders. On occasion it becomes necessary to fell dangerous or diseased trees. These are reported to the Estates Helpdesk and subsequently identified visually by the Grounds Maintenance team. Where removal is necessary this is conducted in a timely way commensurate with the level of risk. When planting new trees: as part of new builds; replacements for lost trees; memorials and similar the majority will be selected from British native species and where possible of local provenance. This is with the exception of trees selected for the Arboretum. Grassland The Canterbury campus grassland areas are on the whole managed as amenity/parkland grass so the length is kept short. The lower parts of the Southern Slopes are managed for hay so are left to grow and harvested in late summer. The amenity grasslands on the Canterbury central campus will remain as such and cut accordingly to keep the appearance of the area. The grasslands of the Canterbury campus Southern Slopes and Beverley Farm / Keynes College will be managed as mosaic habitats of varying lengths to provide foraging and sheltering habitats and wildlife corridors as outlined in the appendix of this document. Appropriate firebreaks will be considered when areas of long grass are adjacent to buildings and/or large areas of woodland. This is the responsibility of the Estates Department in consultation with the Safety, Health and Environment Unit. When planting wildflower meadows all species selected will be native and where possible of local provenance. Ponds and Streams The Canterbury campus ponds have not been regularly and actively managed for biodiversity in the past so they have degraded in ecological value. Over the last few years the Grounds Maintenance team have begun restoring the ponds. Decisions on pond maintenance actions and priorities are guided by The University of Kent, Canterbury: Campus-Wide Great Crested Newt Survey (1) which was prepared for the University by Land Use Consultants (LUC) in May Canterbury Campus: Ponds and Recommended Page 3 of 11

4 Management Actions (2) also contains information on the status and proposed management actions for each campus pond. Pond work should be carried out on small sections of all campus ponds annually. Larger restoration works should be conducted on 1 pond per year When work is being undertaken on campus ponds procedures shall be put in place to prevent the transference of pond material from one pond to another. These will take the form of risk assessments conducted on a site by site basis. Two of the seven campus ponds have the chytrid Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis fungus in them which causes Chytridiomycosis in native amphibians. It is therefore critical that when working on these two ponds strict bio-security measures are put in place. Pond work will be carried out under the correct licencing from Natural England, especially when working on pond sites of the Great Crested Newt, Triturus cristatus. Hedgerows There is currently no active management of hedgerows for biodiversity. New hedgerow creation is done when required for screening and/or bordering. Hedgerows are important corridors for wildlife and provide foraging and sheltering habitat for many species, therefore, it is important that all hedgerows should be restored. Where gaps have appeared these are to be in-filled with native plant species suitable for hedgerows. Invasive Species A number of invasive (non-native) species are known to exist on the Canterbury campus. These include, but are not limited to, Alpine newts, New Zealand Pygmy weed and Rhododendron. In the first instance, the types and locations of these invasive species will be recorded and a detailed management plan produced. Where necessary a specialised contractor will be employed to deal with invasive species around the campus. Supporting Documents (1) The University of Kent, Canterbury: Campus-Wide Great Crested Newt Survey (LUC, May 2014) (2) Canterbury Campus: Ponds and Recommended Management Actions (Oct Formerly: Pond Management and Restoration Procedure) (3) Methodology for Mitigation and Enhancement: School of Mathematics, Statistics, Actuarial Science and Business School for University of Kent (LUC, October 2014) (4) Woodland Creation Method Statement: School of mathematics, statistics actuarial science and business school for University of Kent (LUC, October 2014) Page 4 of 11

5 (5) The University of Kent, Canterbury: Woodland Management Strategy (LUC, September 2015) (6) The University of Kent, Canterbury: Map (LUC, September 2015) (7) Ecological Assessment, University of Kent, Medway Campus (JFA, July 2015) (8) Provisional tree constraints, University of Kent, Medway Campus (JFA, July 2015) (9) Pond Management Advice, Eliot Ponds (Calumma, 2016) Appendix Actions Grassland Type Area(s) Cutting Month(s) Freq Amenity Arboretum (except 3 meter headland) Monthly Apr Oct Tussocky 3 meter headland between arboretum and Bluebell wood Triannually Sept/Oct Hay Meadow Southern slopes between Rutherford and Elliot The Ground south of the footpath next to Blue bell wood Annually Aug Wildflower Meadow Pond Management Paddock to South of University Road The ground between Beverly farm house and Keynes college (once the Turing development has been completed) Annually small section to be completed in the following areas Annually Sept Action Remove dead vegetation Remove excess detritus from pond surface Check tree canopy and cut back where required Lower Elliot Upper Elliot Keynes Beverly Farm Woolf Jennison Restoration Works Academic Action Pond/Area Month(s) Status Year 2015/16 Complete tree and canopy work Jennison Moved to 2019/20* Investigate and tender outsourcing of work for dredging in 2016/17 Jennison Moved to 2019/20* Page 5 of 11

6 Obtain permission for tree works with Woolf Complete Canterbury Council planning department Test water quality Jennison not required* Line 2 satellite ponds Lower Elliot No longer required** Complete dredging and post-turing restoration Beverly Farm Complete 2016/17 Complete dredging Jennison Moved to 2019/20 Clear gulley and remove exotic species from Upper Elliot inflow gulley from Monkswell Create filtration ponds and widen gulley Upper-Lower Complete Elliot 2017/18 Complete tree and canopy work Woolf Complete dredging Woolf Create new ( Orchard ) pond Lower Eliot 2018/19 Complete dredging Lower Elliot Complete clearance Lower Elliot 2019/20 Complete dredging Beverly Farm Complete clearance Beverly Farm Dredge and clear Jennison Pond Jennison * Work to Jennison has been postponed due to the propsed construction of a new Economics building alongside the pond. Restoration actions will be decided once the project construction specification has been agreed. ** Following the Pond Management Advice (9) report in June 2016, it was decided that the existing satellite ponds were too small to be suitable for GCN and that a larger satellite pond on the southern slopes would be investigated. Work to Keynes pond (including managing trees and surrounding scrubland, dredging and making safe undercut banks using appropriate materials) will need to be added to the action plan once plans have been decided. Woodland Coppicing (October March) Reference to individual coupes from LUC woodland mitigation document. Green indicates completed Academic year Brotherhood Wood Park Wood Bluebell Wood Rotational Coppicing Rotational Coppicing Rotational Coppicing 2014/15 3 & 5* 2015/16 Mark out coupes 9, 3 & 4 Page 6 of 11

7 2016/17 10 Mark out coupes 2017/ / / / & / / / / /26 9 9, 3 & / / / / / & / / /34 4 * Currently being completed by DICE students Additional Actions - from LUC woodland management strategy Action Frequency Month(s) Parkwood and Brotherhood Wood Removal of cut timber Annual March-April Inspect stools for regrowth Annual May Replace failed stools with new planting Annual November to March Inspect ancient hornbeam coppice and oak Annual October March standards. Carry out haloing, selective tree surgery and mulching around former hornbeam coppice and oak standards if identified during inspection. Annual Spring, Autumn Maintain ongoing presence of oak standards through recruitment of natural regeneration and planting of stock of local provenance where regeneration not available. Annual November March Control invasive species such as sycamore Annual January - March Bluebell Wood Selective thinning with Norway maple and Hornbeam woodland to encourage establishment of woodland ground flora (Bluebell wood coupes 5 & 7) As required October - March + ad hoc coppicing as required as part of pond works or other requirements as necessary Hedgerows Reinstate hedgerow cutting of Every 2 years Spring/Autumn Page 7 of 11

8 understorey shrubs at woodland boundaries (Bluebell wood Coupe 2) Invasive Species Academic Action Year 2015/16 Begin survey of invasive/non-native species on campus 2016/17 Develop invasive species management plan Actions Numbers in brackets refer to coupes 2015/16 Action Area Month(s) Status Mow amenity grassland various Monthly (Apr Oct) Complete Mow tussocky grassland various May-Sept Complete Cut hay meadow various August Complete Cut wildflower meadow various September Complete Remove dead vegetation Complete Remove excess detritus from pond surface Complete Check tree canopy and cut back where required Complete Obtain permission for tree works with Canterbury Woolf Pond Complete Council planning department Complete dredging and post-turing restoration Beverly Farm Complete Mark out coupes Brotherhood Wood Complete Coppice Bluebell Wood October-March Complete Reinstate hedgerow cutting of understorey Bluebell wood (2) Spring/Autumn shrubs at woodland boundaries Begin survey of invasive/non-native species on campus All All 2016/17 Action Area Month(s) Status Mow amenity grassland various Monthly (Apr Oct) Complete Cut hay meadow various August Complete Cut wildflower meadow various September Complete Remove dead vegetation Remove excess detritus from pond surface Check tree canopy and cut back where required Clear gulley and remove exotic species from Upper Elliot inflow gulley from Monkswell Create filtration ponds and widen gulley Upper-Lower Elliot Complete Coppice Brotherhood Wood October - March Page 8 of 11

9 (10) Develop invasive species management plan All All 2017/18 Action Area Month(s) Mow amenity grassland various Monthly (Apr Oct) Cut hay meadow various August Cut wildflower meadow various September Remove dead vegetation Remove excess detritus from pond surface Check tree canopy and cut back where required Complete tree and canopy work Woolf Complete dredging Woolf Create new (Orchard) pond Lower Eliot Coppice Park Wood (12) October - March Removal of cut timber Park Wood (12) March-April Reinstate hedgerow cutting of understorey shrubs at woodland boundaries Bluebell wood (2) Spring/Autumn 2018/19 Action Area Month(s) Mow amenity grassland various Monthly (Apr Oct) Mow tussocky grassland various May-Sept Cut hay meadow various August Cut wildflower meadow various September Remove dead vegetation Remove excess detritus from pond surface Check tree canopy and cut back where required Complete dredging Lower Elliot Complete clearance Lower Elliot Coppice Brotherhood Wood (9) October - March Removal of cut timber Brotherhood Wood (9) March-April 2019/20 Action Area Month(s) Mow amenity grassland various Monthly (Apr Oct) Cut hay meadow various August Cut wildflower meadow various September Remove dead vegetation Remove excess detritus from pond surface Check tree canopy and cut back where required Complete dredging Beverly Farm Complete clearance Beverly Farm Dredge and clear pond Jennison Page 9 of 11

10 Coppice Park Wood (13) October - March Removal of cut timber Park Wood (13) March-April Reinstate hedgerow cutting of understorey shrubs at woodland boundaries Bluebell wood (2) Spring/Autumn Page 10 of 11

11 Appendix 1: The University of Kent, Canterbury: Map (LUC, September 2015) (6) Page 11 of 11