Natural England - Research projects
Research projects
Our research generates evidence related to our outcomes, or develops and designs approaches to improve our evidence gathering.
Research programmes that significantly influence Natural England's work include:
research to develop agri-environment scheme options;
species recovery research;
health and the natural environment;
research to support the development of Marine Protected Areas.
One of the functions of our National Nature Reserves (NNRs) is to serve as places where environmental research and study can take place. Many projects on NNRs are small. Some relate to a single species on a specific site. However, together, and over time, these provide a wealth of data and information. Examples of some, but not all, NNR research projects are included in this register.
Subject: Access and engagement | Biodiveristy | Climate Change | Ecosystem approach | Land management | Landscape, Historic Environment and Geodiversity | Marine | Sustainable land use
Access and engagement
| ID | Title | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RP0419 | Accessible green space: map based evidence | Natural England holds data on c80% of accessible land. This project aims to combine data held across Natural England in a consistent way; clean data; assess the actual coverage; identify where there are data gaps and assess the potential to make data available to share with partners. The project will also develop applications for the evidence base including: analysis to present visual evidence relating to green space and health; deprivation and other indices; monitoring to measure the provision of green space; and assessment of using data/maps to support a calculator/tool for local communities. The outputs will be a report and maps on WebMap.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £3,000.00 | Andrew Gale |
| RP0435 | Walking for Health economic benefits: Economic cost data collection and Analysis | Walking for Health (WfH) encourages people to become physically active in their local communities. It comprises a network of schemes across England that offer regular short walks over easy terrain with trained walk leaders. The purpose of this project is to gather data on the costs involved in six representative Walking for Health schemes. Data on external partner and Natural England's costs will be collected and used to evaluate Walking for Health cost effectiveness using a Cost Benefit model. The cost benefit analysis will provide critical evidence on socio-economic benefits.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £78,151.00 | Dave Stone |
| RP0436 | Criterion validity and responsiveness of the Single Item Physical Activity measure. | Self reporting tools have the capacity to over or under estimate true physical activity levels. The purpose of this Loughborough University study is to validate whether the results of self assessment based on the question below can be used to detect changes in physical activity. The study tests a person's recall of the amount and change in physical activity levels they think they have performed against their actual activity as measured by an accelerometer. In the past week, on how many days have you done a total of 30 minutes or more of physical activity, which was enough to raise your heart rate? Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £35,252.00 | Alan Pearsons |
Biodiversity
| ID | Title | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RP0068 | Freshwater pearl mussel recovery project | To create a national holding facility at Windermere, Cumbria, to maintain and breed threatened populations of freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera from rivers across England. Research into captive rearing techniques, juvenile survival and populations genetics will be carried out (PhD with Cumbria University). The Freshwater Pearl Mussel ''Ark'' Project is a partnership between Natural England, the Environment Agency and Freshwater Biological Association
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £36,500.00 | Gavin Measures |
| RP0091 | Action for Birds in England: corn bunting solution testing | Testing of new management solutions for corn buntings in arable landscapes across eastern England. Project in partnership with RSPB and part of Action for Birds in England (AfBiE).
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £15,000.00 | Phil Grice |
| RP0151 | Ex situ bryophyte cryopreservation project | Conservation and propagation of threatened bryophyte species ex-situ at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - the bryophyte equivalent of a seed bank. In partnership with Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew RBG
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £20,000.00 | Mike Sutcliffe |
| RP0197 | Ecosystem effects of elevated organic matter loads in upland streams (NERC CASE PhD) | Levels of particulate and dissolved organic matter in upland streams have increased in recent decades. The effects of this on the biota of upland streams is poorly understood. This PhD will undertake strategic monitoring and experimental manipulations to evaluate effects on microbial, algal and invertebrate communities. The findings will be used to inform the definition of environmental targets for upland river SSSIs and SACs. NERC CASE PhD student: Katie Aspray, Leeds University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £9,000.00 | Chris Mainstone |
| RP0248 | Ecological study of bee, wasp and ant species | Autecological studies, monitoring and trial management for 13 Biodiversity Action Plan aculeate species, including: work to be done under 4 main headings, with the species research embedded underneath. Project in partnership with Hymettus
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £20,000.00 | David Heaver |
| RP0261 | Determining historic ecological conditions in lowland rivers: applying palaeoecological techniques to river restoration planning (NERC CASE PhD) | River restoration needs to be underpinned by an understanding of how biological communities have changed as a result of physical habitat modifications and how they would benefit from restoration measures. This project will characterise contemporary and historical faunas in lowland river SSSIs in relation to physical habitat modification. The results will be used to help underpin restoration efforts on river SSSIs and other rivers. NERC CASE PhD student: Emma Seddon, Loughborough University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £6,000.00 | Chris Mainstone |
| RP0262 | The role of nutrients and hydrological disturbance in determining the status of attached algal communities in rivers (NERC CASE PhD) | Strategic monitoring, experimental manipulations and modelling to clarify how nutrient availability interacts with other environmental factors in influencing algal growth in rivers. The work will be used in future refinements to the definition of nutrient targets for controlling eutrophication impacts on river SSSIs and SACs, and for informing views on the wider river network in relation to the Water Framework Directive and the UK BAP. NERC CASE PhD student: Rosie Law, Lancaster University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £6,000.00 | Chris Mainstone |
| RP0270 | Marl lakes: defining conservation objectives (NERC CASE PhD) | Use of palaeolimnological techniques (plant and animals remains in lake sediment cores) to determine historic reference conditions and patterns of change in three marl (limestone) lakes - Malham Tarn, Hawes Water and Cunswick Tarn. The results will increase our understanding of how marl lakes respond to natural and human-induced pressures and the findings will be applicable to other marl lakes. NERC CASE PhD student: Emma Wiik, University College, London.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £8,000.00 | Stewart Clarke |
| RP0293 | High resolution remote sensing for landscape-scale restoration of peat (NERC CASE PhD) | To evaluate the ability of high spatial and spectral resolution remote sensing to distinguish between moorland restoration treatments and monitor changes with the objective of being able to monitor restoration of landscape-scale peat. NERC CASE PhD student: Elizabeth Lowe, Manchester University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £6,000.00 | Mick Rebane |
| RP0294 | The ecology of hen harriers outside the breeding season (PhD) | The hen harrier is a Red-listed Bird of Conservation Concern. Little is known of the birds' whereabouts outside the breeding season, nor of the ecology of English-breeding birds at this time of year. This project explores the movements, habitat selection, survivorship and fate of radio- and satellite-tagged hen harriers of known breeding provenance. Natural England-funded PhD student: Stephen Murphy, John Moores University, Liverpool.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £10,230.00 | Andrew Brown |
| RP0295 | Are the population dynamics of seabirds in the west of Britain driven by climate change? (PhD) | Seabird populations are changing very rapidly across the UK. This study will disentangle the effects of climate change (and consequent changes in plankton and fish populations) and other changes, including fishing effort, in driving the population dynamics of seabirds nesting in south-western Britain. NERC/Sir Alistair Hardy Foundation PhD student: Valentina Lauria, Plymouth University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £9,000.00 | Andrew Brown |
| RP0296 | Impacts of climate and land use change on the UK cuckoo population (PhD) | To disentangle the effects of climate in different forms of land use, and focus on the key mechanisms affecting the cuckoo population in the UK, and the implications of future change. This long-term project is a combination of long-term data, field observation, experimentation and modelling. The results will guide Natural England and RSPB in developing appropriate mitigation measures for this iconic species. Natural England/RSPB funded PhD student: Chloe Denerley, Aberdeen University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £15,000.00 | Phil Grice |
| RP0305 | Bats and roofing membranes (PhD) | (1) To gain an understanding of the impacts of the use of breathable membranes on bat roosts where these occur in roofs and (2) to disseminate findings and recommendations as a guidance document for use by both the building industry and conservation organisations. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council/Natural England/Technologies for Sustainable Built Environments (TSBE)/Bat Conservation Trust PhD student: Stacey Waring, Reading University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £10,000.00 | Judy Stroud |
| RP0365 | Establishing a monitoring protocol for violet click beetle | The violet click beetle is a restricted red-listed species and a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority species. This project supports the work carried out by Royal Holloway College in trying to develop chemical and auditory tracking techniques to establish the presence of violet click beetles in old trees, as a necessary precursor for reporting on this Special Area of Conservation (SAC) species to Europe. Project in partnership with People's Trust for Endangered Species
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £3,200.00 | David Heaver |
| RP0374 | Action for Birds in England: turtle dove | The turtle dove is a red-listed bird of conservation concern and a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority species which has declined by 89% in the period 1970-2008. This is a project to research optimal land management solutions for turtle doves. Prior research has indicated that the provision of seed rich habitats during the breeding season delivered through agri-environment schemes would be the key measure for recovering the species, this project will investigate this and trial optimal land management solutions. Project in partnership with RSPB and part of Action for Birds In England (AfBiE).
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £40,000.00 | Phil Grice |
| RP0387 | Adder conservation genetics | To investigate whether there are problems for small, isolated populations of adders due to genetic impoverishment. Project will involve field sampling, to collect DNA from small, possibly inbred populations and compare this with large, potentially outbred populations. Project in partnership with the Institute of Zoology and the University of Oxford, linking in with volunteers who have studied adders at a range of sites in England.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £8,000.00 | Paul Edgar |
| RP0401 | Exploration and extension over time of the shaded field layer ISIS assemblage | ISIS is a habitat-based invertebrate assemblage classification system for assessing conservation interest. The original ISIS assemblage for the shaded field lay in woodlands was based on July sampling. This limits the assemblage to this time of year, despite the fact that the cranefly and fungus gnats species diversity increases in autumn. To enable the assemblage to have a valid expression in autumn this project will gather the base data with a view to statistically analysing it to establish the end-groups. It is then expected that the new species lists will be merged to form a season wide shaded field layer assemblage.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £2,400.00 | David Heaver |
| RP0417 | Disease risk and health screening analysis for a number of reintroduction programmes in England. | Support to a number of existing Species Recovery Programme re-introduction projects by undertaking disease risk analysis, providing advice and support for effective disease risk management and setting out clear reintroduction planning strategies for species based on this evidence. This enables Natural England to meet its obligations under the IUCN re-introduction guidelines. Partnership project with the Zoological Society of London.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £85,000.00 | Katherine Walsh |
| RP0428 | Valuing biodiversity: developing criteria for use in biodiversity offsetting implementation and monitoring | A key element of biodiversity offsetting schemes is a metric to measure biodiversity loss and gain. At its most basic a metric may simply be area but more complex measures are normally desirable. This project seeks to devise a metric applicable to the UK situation which, whilst being a practical to implement, also gives a good description of the biodiversity value of a site. This project is a CASE studentship with Essex university.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £3,000.00 | Adrian Jowitt |
| RP0459 | Conservation of the Croston worm Prostoma jenningsi | A project to aid the recovery of the Croston worm, a nemertean worm endemic to the UK and to one site in Lancashire. The project will (1) widen the taxonomic expertise which is currently held by one person who is now retired. (2) Re-survey the pool, establish water quality parameters over the year. (3). Explore establishment of a new population nearby, to reduce risk of random extinction events. (4). raise the profile of this most unloved group of animals. A project in conjunction with Lancashire Wildlife Trust & University of Lancaster
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £4,500.00 | David Heaver |
| RP0482 | Campanula patula (spreading bellflower) - conservation genetics, demographic trends and ecological requirements | A joint project with CCW on the conservation genetics of this species, including a review of current distribution and population trends in England and Wales, and identifying conservation management requirements of key English populations. In partnership with Countryside Council for Wales and National Botanical Gardens Wales
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £3,000.00 | Simon James Leach |
| RP0483 | Action for plants - Damasonium alisma - starfruit | Investigation of previous failures to restore the species, management review, ex-situ cultivation and recommendations for further re-introductions. In partnership with Plantlife
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £2,000.00 | Ian Taylor |
| RP0488 | Alchemilla - threatened Lady's mantles | To assess the populations of these critical taxa to ensure conservation action is targeted to the right sites and to develop detailed management protocols for them. In partnership with Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI)
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £4,000.00 | Ian Taylor |
| RP0491 | Hydroelectric power scheme impacts on important bryophyte sites | Research looking into impacts of hydroelectric schemes on important bryophyte sites. This first stage will develop a scoring system (based on the sensitivity of species to high humidity) for ravines and wooden valleys in the west of England. This will allow these locations to be categorised according to the impact of a potential hydroelectric power scheme.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £5,000.00 | Mike Sutcliffe |
| RP0493 | Lobarion lichen community survey and assessment of reasons for decline | Resurvey of known locations for species within the ''Lobarion'' lichen community including species for which Britain has an international responsibility. In partnership with British Lichen Society.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £5,000.00 | Mike Sutcliffe |
| RP0503 | Develop conservation strategy for selected widespread Critically Endangered and Endangered vascular plants | A project to improve evidence-base for long list of threatened 'widespread declining' vascular plants listed on the UKBAP and S.41, to evaluate representation across protected sites network and to pinpoint key populations lying outside that network requiring conservation action. BSBI to collate data for agreed subset of the species covered by this project, passing to Plantlife for detailed analysis. Work in 2011-12 will concentrate on 26 species. Partnership with Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI) and Plantlife
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £35,000.00 | Simon James Leach |
| RP0508 | S41 fungi survey - geographical areas in England | Fungal survey/sampling for all s.41 fungi at selected sites across England. Provision of baseline for distribution mapping of poorly recorded fungi to provide evidence for first official GB fungal RDL assessment. Most of these species are recent BAP additions and it is not even known if they are extant at historic sites. Includes 26 high priority fungi and 36 lower priority species.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £15,000.00 | Martyn Ainsworth |
| RP0509 | Pulsatilla vulgaris - Pasque flower - future options for the conservation of this species in England | To collate most recent available records, including population counts, for all native extant sites. To summarise habitat condition and suitability of current management of these sites. To assess future options for conservation of pasqueflower in England, including recommendations for management of both existing and former sites. To explore role of assisted pollination and ex situ cultivation and re/introductions and augmentations across its historic range. In partnership with Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI), included in BSBI MoA.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £1,000.00 | Simon James Leach |
| RP0519 | Lower Derwent valley: bird ringing and research | The reserve is one of the top five sites in England for breeding waders of wet meadows. It is particularly important for snipe and ruff. The project involves ringing breeding curlew, redshank, lapwing and snipe and also breeding and wintering waterfowl and ruff. The information is used to help establish population changes, advise local management and landscape scale issues, and contributes to our knowledge nationally of certain species (eg quail). The data allows interpretation of international flyways and provides avian influenza assessment. Partnership with Huddleston and Jackson Ringing partnership, Fera, WWT, CCT.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £1,000.00 | Craig Ralston |
| RP0621 | Comparison of threshold sizes in hound's-tongue between Holkham NNR, a Dutch site and British Columbia | Comparison of threshold sizes in hound's-tongue Cynoglossum between Holkham NNR, a Dutch site and British Columbia, undertaken by the Biodiversity Research Centre, Louvain University, Belgium (seeds collected and sent to Belgium in 2009 & 2011)
| Michael Rooney |
| RP0623 | Forecasting the ecological consequences of environmental change, based on sand dune annuals (Holkham NNR) | Research undertaken by Sheffield University, Dept of Animal & plant Science (2008-2012) into seed dormancy of some of the dune annuals and the relationship between annual plants and other environmental variables (ie the microtopography at the sites, including Holkham). Holkham NNR is one of a number of European locations that allow comparisons to be made when modelling.
| Michael Rooney |
| RP0624 | Experimental evidence for rapid biotic and abiotic reduction of Fe (III) at low temperatures in salt marsh sediments: a possible mechanism for formation of modern sedimentary siderite concretions, Warham Slatmarsh - Holkham NNR | Research by University of Leeds, Earth Sciences (2008-2012) into field & geochemical analytical tecniques to compare saltmarsh iron reduction attributes to previous research, Warham Saltmarsh, part of Holkham NNR.
| Michael Rooney |
| RP0625 | Research into Hydrobia spp. populations of Scolt Head Island NNR | Long standing research undertaken by University of Cambridge Zoology Dept. Dr Richard Barnes who is the leading international authority on these small, brackish-water snails. This work of Dr Barnes' is published regularly in scientific journals.
| Michael Rooney |
| RP0627 | Carline thistle populations on Scolt Head Island NNR | Research undertaken by Animal & Plant Sciences Dept of the University of Sheffield into the carline thistle population on Scolt Head Island NNR. Occasional academic papers are published by Professor Mark Rees of Sheffield University in scientific journals.
| Michael Rooney |
| RP0628 | Research into saltmarsh development, behaviour of dune 'washovers' and other aspects of coastal processes on Scolt Head Island NNR | Long standing research undertaken by University of Cambridge Geography Dept into coastal change & natural processes on Scolt Head Island NNR, dating back to the 1920's. Occasional academic papers are published in scientific journals by Dr Tom Spencer.
| Michael Rooney |
Climate Change
| ID | Title | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RP0322 | Managing peatlands as carbon stores (MAPCARS) (PhD) | This project seeks to increase certainty about the impact of land management on the overall greenhouse gas (GHG) balance of peatlands in particular (1) whether reduced losses (and even gains) of carbon by the restored peatland may be counteracted by increased methane emissions and (2) the extent to which fluvial carbon loss from peatlands contributes ultimately to GHG emissions. NERC CASE PhD student: Gemma Dooling, Leeds University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £4,500.00 | Matthew Shepherd |
| RP0347 | Evaluation of adaptation measures in response to climate change. | Adaptation to climate change is essential to all our areas of work. This project will provide an over-arching framework for assessing the effectiveness of adaptation measures. It will draw directly on the integrated research projects on resilience to climate change and the landscape approach, and feed into the development of new agri-environment schemes, particularly through the integrated project supporting this. This project will also have a remit to collaborate with other internal and external projects.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £69,205.00 | Simon Duffield |
| RP0348 | Resilience to climate change: what is it and what makes ecosystems and landscapes resilient? | This project will evaluate theoretical concepts of resilience, clarify definitions, identify practical approaches and test them as far as we are able. This project will provide a strong basis for other climate change evidence projects. The resilience of both valued features (including landscape, geodiversity, habitats and species) and the ecosystem services they support will be included. It will compare across marine, terrestrial, coastal and freshwaters. Although climate change is the focus for this work, this project will also consider the extent to which resilience to other pressures is similar to that for climate change.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £30,000.00 | Simon Duffield |
| RP0349 | Carbon storage by habitats | This project aims to summarise the best available evidence on carbon storage in contrasting land uses / habitats and to carry out targeted research to fill key evidence gaps (particularly for peatlands and coastal habitats). It has three main components: 1) An overview of carbon storage and greenhouse gas fluxes by the full range of English habitats. 2) An investigation of carbon storage and fluxes in coastal and marine habitats in a specific English context. 3) Development of peatland greenhouse gas monitoring, through both the development of a new network and support for ongoing measurements.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £48,000.00 | Isabel Alonso |
| RP0364 | National Character Area climate change vulnerability assessment | Project to assess the vulnerability of the natural environment to climate change and identify appropriate adaptation responses. A method has been developed to assess the vulnerability of England''s landscapes to climate change, and this is being a trialled in a number of pilot National Character Areas across England. These areas are: (1) South East Northumberland Coastal Plain (2) Lancashire & Amounderness Plain (3) Morecambe Bay Limestones (4) Solway Basin (5) Humberhead Levels (6) Sherwood (7) London (8) South Downs (9).
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £25,000.00 | Andy Neale |
| RP0384 | Is eroded peat a source of atmospheric CO2? (PhD) | To quantify and understand the fate of particulate organic carbon (POC) in streams draining upland peatlands, in particular the transformation to CO2 that is released to the atmosphere. Specifically the project will: * Measure the loss of POC and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from peat-covered catchments by mass balance. * Understand the transformation of POC into DOC and CO2. * Quantify competing processes for POC and DOC loss including adsorption and flocculation. * Develop methods for the inclusion of POC transformation and loss to the atmosphere into present carbon models. PhD student: Catherine Moody, Durham University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £3,000.00 | Mike Morecroft |
| RP0437 | Mapping Peat Depth and Carbon Storage in England | Peat soils are our most important land store of organic carbon. Natural England estimated peat carbon (C) storage in the 2010 NE257 report, but this was based on few, and old, data. This project, run under an MoA with the North Pennines AONB Partnership's Peatscapes initiative, will: i) collate and analyse all available peat depth/C data ii) develop a survey methodology to assess peat depth/C iii) conduct some new targeted peat surveys iv) coordinate with NPAs, NGOs etc. on new surveys v) produce a improved and easily updateable peat depth/C storage map for England vi) supply a report, database & licence-free map.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £31,000.00 | Matthew Shepherd |
Ecosystem Approach
| ID | Title | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RP0422 | Ecosystem services: novel case studies | Resources and processes supplied by natural ecosystems are known as ecosystem services. These include products like food and clean drinking water as well as processes such as the decomposition of wastes and the control of flood water. This project will research and analyse a series of 3-5 environmental management projects which are changing land use or management options. These will be published as case studies to demonstrate the potential application of the ecosystem approach in contexts for which there are currently few examples, in particular lowland agricultural land and urban/urban fringe environments.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £35,000.00 | Stewart Clarke |
| RP0424 | Transferring management methods to deliver ecosystem services (EST) | The objective of this research is to explore the possibility of developing a methodology for ''ecosystem services transfer'' (EST) building upon the ''benefits transfer'' approach used in economic valuation.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £64,257.00 | Ruth Waters |
| RP0640 | Managing Grassland Diversity For Multiple Ecosystem Services | The overall aim of this proposal is to assess the potential for UK grasslands to deliver multifunctional objectives of carbon sequestration, nutrient retention, pollination and biodiversity conservation, while maintaining economically viable levels of production. The main focus of the project is soil carbon sequestration. For more information see Defra funded project BD5003.
| Chris Chesterton |
| RP0641 | Provision of ecosystem services in Environmental Stewardship Scheme | This project will inform Environmental Stewardship policy and will greatly enhance our knowledge of how to manage the land for ecosystem services. Dissemination of the results and training and demonstration will ensure Natural England and Defra staff can implement the findings and stakeholders can make best use of the project outputs. Defra funded project BD5005.
| Stephen Chaplin |
Land management
| ID | Title | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RP0026 | Quantifying the impacts of Entry Level Stewardship on biodiversity at farm scale (Hillesden Experiment) | To assess the outcomes for a range of wildlife of imposing three different intensities of intervention within a typical intensive arable farm. This is a key project for understanding the scale of biodiversity benefits likely to be delivered by Entry Level Stewardship (ELS).
| Mike Green |
| RP0194 | Diversification of grassland through the manipulation of plant-soil interactions and the identification of indicators of restorability | The aims of this project are to: confirm association of high fungal-to-bacterial ratios with species-rich grasslands; quantify the impact of key plant species in the development of fungal dominated soils; identify mechanisms that influence plant species on fungal-to-bacterial ratios and soil biota influences on vegetation; evaluate other potential indicators for targeting grassland enhancement and creation. Defra funded project1451.
| Steve Peel |
| RP0196 | Testing of modified management of agricultural grassland to promote in-field structural heterogeneity, invertebrates and birds (Phase 2) | Phase 1 tried reducing grazing pressure and ceasing grazing. Reduced grazing increased invertebrates but not bird usage. No grazing increased invertebrates but caused unacceptable sward deterioration. A separate study tested mowing and forage harvesting to reduce skylark nest losses. These were potentially successful but difficult to incorporate into modern farming. Phase 2 is testing modified techniques. Defra funded project BD5207.
| Steve Peel |
| RP0199 | Techniques to enhance the establishment and persistence of poor-performing species in grassland restoration | To (1) identify the constraints on the survival of poor-performing, specialist species for a wide range of UK grassland types; and (2) develop and test practical management prescriptions to enhance the establishment of these species under the agri-environment schemes. Defra funded project 1459.
| Clare Pinches |
| RP0200 | Sustainable management systems for unimproved neutral grassland | To determine the appropriate level of grazing by cattle to maintain species-rich grassland, and quantify the impact of grazing on invertebrates and on the growth of cattle. This will build on the research that was developed in a previous Defra project on integrating understanding to develop grazing and cutting guidelines. Defra funded project BD1460.
| Richard Jefferson |
| RP0201 | Wide scale enhancement of biodiversity: effects on other resources | A moderate increase in plant diversity has the potential to deliver multiple benefits including (1) increased diversity and abundance of fauna; (2) improved soil structure, nutrient retention and water infiltration; (3) improved forage quality and livestock production. This project aims to provide further evidence to support new options for Environmental Stewardship suitable for intensive beef/sheep farms. Defra funded project BD5208.
| Steve Peel |
| RP0202 | Influence of spring grazing regime on the floristic diversity and restorative potential of upland hay meadows | To provide improved guidance for meadow management in agri-environment schemes, in particular to (1) identify the optimum spring grazing regimes and shut up dates for the maintenance and enhancement of botanical interests and (2) assess the impact on hay yield and quality. Defra funded project BD1467.
| David Martin |
| RP0277 | Hedgerow management: a survey of land managers and contractors practices and attitudes | Good hedgerow management is promoted by Defra and Natural England through Agri-Environment Schemes but poor management is still widely recognised to be a serious problem. The reasons for this are poorly understood. This survey updates a previous one in 2000 and will show what impact Environmental Stewardship has had on attitudes and management. A Defra funded project.
| Emily Ledder |
| RP0278 | Effects of hedgerow management and restoration on biodiversity | To examine the effects of simple cutting management regimes promoted by Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) and Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) on the quality and quantity of wildlife habitat, and food resources in hedgerows; and identify, develop and test low-cost, practical options for hedgerow restoration and rejuvenation applicable at the large-scale under both ELS and HLS. Defra funded project.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £375,853.00 | Emily Ledder |
| RP0359 | Characterisation of soil structural degradation under grassland and development of measures to ameliorate its impact on biodiversity and other soil functions | Soil compaction may threaten the success of agri-environment schemes. To understand the distribution of soil compaction, its causes, and identify methods to alleviate it, this project will survey compaction at 300 grasslands in England and Wales, assessing management and soil structure. Practical measures to mitigate compaction (mechanical and plants) will be identified and their impact explored through field experiments. Also the impacts on vegetation, water, invertebrates, birds, soil carbon and N2O flux . Defra project BD5001
| Matthew Shepherd |
| RP0420 | Developing a method for reporting & monitoring the direct & cumulative impacts of Environmental Stewardship on the maintenance & enhancement of Landscape Character & Quality. | The aim of this 3-year research and development project is to develop and test a robust, repeatable and comprehensive evaluation framework for reporting and monitoring the direct and cumulative impacts of Environmental Stewardship on the maintenance and enhancement of landscape character and quality at a variety of scales, and using a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques. Defra funded project BD5303.
| Victoria Hunns |
| RP0421 | Improving effectiveness of grassland restoration and creation options: development of a methodology for setting indicators of success and assessing progress | To develop and test a rapid methodology to assess the progress and timescales that restored or re-created grassland swards take to develop into BAP priority grasslands. The methodology will be used primarily for monitoring the progress and outcomes of HLS agreements under grassland options HK7 and HK8 (Restoration and creation of species-rich semi-natural grassland) and to assist in setting indicators of success. The methodology will utilise floristic, structural and possibly soil-based attributes. DEFRA funded Project BD5101.
| Richard Jefferson |
| RP0449 | SHINE into HLS: Development of a cost effective and timely way of capturing information and advice from Historic Environment Records to inform delivery of HLS | This project involves the further development of the SHINE protocols (Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England) that were developed for ELS, to enable local authority Historic Environment Records (HERs) to attach management advice to verified historic environment features for the purposes of informing HLS applications and agreements. Defra funded project BD5305
| Victoria Hunns |
| RP0635 | Restoration of blanket bog vegetation for biodiversity, carbon and water | Defra-funded project from the ES R&D programme looking at management techniques to reduce dominance of heather on blanket bog as part of restoration to active condition and the impacts on biodiversity, carbon and water.
| David Glaves |
| RP0636 | Restoration of Purple Moor Grass and rush pasture and associated fen habitats | The aims of this project are: review and summarise information from the European literature and other primary and secondary data sources to identify the habitat conditions required for the existence, restoration or re-creation of fens, ''purple moor-grass and rush pastures''. For more information see the Defra project description. Defra funded project BD5103.
| Iain Diack |
| RP0637 | Setting Indicators of Success for Species-rich grassland | The aim of this project is to develop a decision framework that can be used by field surveyors with a range of expertise to identify appropriate indicators for measuring the success of management of species-rich grassland, in particular allowing the monitoring of progress within timescales appropriate to the length of agri-environment scheme agreements. For more details see Defra funded project BD5101.
| Richard Jefferson |
| RP0638 | Developing a multi-functional arable agri-environment option: enhanced fallow | Research to support development of Environmental Stewardship options. Defra funded project BD5203
| Mike Green |
| RP0639 | Improving the management and success of arable plant options in ELS and HLS | Project to support Environmental Stewardship options. Defra funded project BD5204. | Mike Green |
| RP0642 | Analysis of habitat quality for breeding woodlarks and nightjars in Breckland Forest SSSI | The Breckland Forest SPA was designated in 2000 for its internationally significant populations of woodlark and European nightjar. Both populations are in decline and, subject to formal site assessment by Natural England, are likely to be in unfavourable condition. This jointly funded FC-NE study aims to help identify the causes of these declines and potential mitigation measures. The project will quantify changes in nightjar and woodlark density in relation to habitat variables. Suggested potential mitigation measures will be based on these analyses.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £8,500.00 | Allan Drewitt |
Landscape, Historic Environment and Geodiversity
| ID | Title | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RP0020 | Rock, fossil and mineral collecting - good practice evidence and guidance | To gather up-to-date information on good practice relating to rock, fossil and mineral collecting in order to inform Natural England guidance on collecting. This work will underpin our statutory role in the management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
| Hannah Townley |
| RP0225 | UK Geodiversity Action Plan (UKGAP) | The UKGAP provides a framework planning and recording the delivery of geoconservation across the UK. The aim of this project is to provide evidence (through a range of case studies) to illustrate how the UKGAP is currently being delivered across its objectives. It will also undertake new research on existing delivery monitoring measures for Local Geodiversity Action Plans (LGAPs) in order to develop a standard mechanism for measuring progress that can be adopted by the UKGAP and LGAPs. The work is supported by a wide range of partners across the UK.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £11,000.00 | Hannah Townley |
| RP0229 | Soils data project | This is long term project improving the availability of soils data derived from Agricultural Land Classification surveys to Natural England staff and the general public. In addition securing the associated ALC archive of which Natural England has guardianship on behalf of Defra. Current phase of project involves scanning remaining paper Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) maps and associated information. Also updating Geni ALC layer. - continuation of 2008/09 2009/10 projects.
| Gill Shaw |
| RP0346 | Geodiversity technical guidance review | Natural England has a number of technical guidance and advice documents providing advice on geological and geomorphological conservation. These guidance and advice documents have been developed over a number of years and this project will review existing guidance and its need for updating. Guidance considered of high priority for revising will be rewritten and reissued through this project.
| Hannah Townley |
| RP0354 | Agricultural land management techniques to deliver ecosystem service benefits from soil biological activity, biomass and diversity in England | The total collection of organisms in the soil, from worms and beetles to bacteria and fungi are known as soil biota. They deliver a wide range of ecosystem services, but are likely to have been damaged by intensive farming, among other threats. Better farm practices could enhance soil biota. This project will review options available to farmers in England to enhance soil biota and the practical costs and benefits of selected options. Results will inform future studies, and current and future farm advice and schemes, and will be presented at a research seminar to policy makers, farm advisors and farming representatives.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £35,000.00 | Matthew Shepherd |
| RP0522 | Review of large scale conservation initiatives | This study of large scale nature conservation projects in Britain will help inform our response to the Natural Environment White Paper. The four broad aims are (1) to build an overview of the large scale conservation projects in Britain (2) to explore the scientific principles being used (3) to explore the social, institutional and community aspects (4) to analyse the environmental outcomes achieved. It is a joint project with Defra, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales. Work is being done by the University of Southampton, the University of Cambridge, and Natural England.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £120,000.00 | Nicholas Macgregor |
| RP0605 | Identifying the movement of female Greater Horseshoe bats in Beer Quarry caves | 70% of the visible ghb bats at Beer Quarry Caves SAC are known to be male, this raises the question where are the females, elsewhere within the complex of caves not accessible by humans or somewhere else completely . Proposal would be to install remote monitors around the caves to plot their movement around the complex to see if there are significant movements in peripheral areas of the caves .
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £1,500.00 | Cathy Fitzroy |
Marine
| ID | Title | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RP0286 | Marine connectivity: analysis of keystone species within the British Isles (PhD) | To assess connectivity in marine ecosystems, in particular, the connectivity between populations of sessile marine invertebrates (ie marine invertebrates that are attached to something at the bottom of the sea so cannot move around, eg sponges, anemones and oysters) over a range of geographical scales. Connectivity assessed by measuring genetic relatedness between populations. Natural England-funded PhD student: Lyndsey Holland, Exeter University.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £12,280.00 | Jen Ashworth |
| RP0328 | Accessing and developing the required biophysical datasets and data layers for a Marine Protected Areas network | It is important to ensure the best data are accessed and made available for the UK MPA planning process. This is a multi-partner project to collate a range of biological, physical and socio-economic data and ensure that it is easily interpreted, accessed and used by those responsible for the identification of MPAs. Partners in this project are Defra, JNCC, CCW, DOENI, Welsh Assemby Government, Isle of Man Government, The Scottish Government.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £134,244.00 | Eddy Mayhew |
| RP0332 | Best practice for managing activities in Marine Protected Areas | To review examples of best practice in managing different activities to ensure that they do not pose a risk to achieving conservation objectives in Marine Protected Areas.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £16,000.00 | Sarah Wiggins |
| RP0479 | Restoration of native oyster through the development of broodstock areas | A feasibility study of native oyster stock regeneration![[PDF]](http://neintranettechnical/content/technical/images/pdf.gif "PDF logo") commissioned by Seafish identifies that restocking broodstock areas with half-grown imported oyster spat is both cost and ecologically effective. The intent would be to support the recovery of this BAP and FOCI (feature of interest for MCZ designation) species, and to monitor the biodiversity benefits associated with reef development. In partnership with National Oceanography Centre
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £10,000.00 | Jed Nicholson |
| RP0494 | Harbour Porpoise Bycatch Reduction Project | Incidental bycatch of Harbour Porpoise by gill netting remains the most significant single threat. Pingers have been shown to reduce bycatch by 80% or more in several fishery studies. The EU regulation on pingers on over-12m boats has been blocked on grounds of pinger durability or safety, although pingers are in regular use in the USA. This difficulty has probably now been lifted by the impending launch of a new pinger - the banana pinger from Fishtek Ltd. This project trials these pingers. In partnership with Cornwall Wildlife Trust and Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £2,000.00 | Robert Enever |
| RP0499 | A study to determine shark and ray eggcases laying sites | Some large ray species have disappeared from parts of their former range. Spatial management of important ray habitats, such as egg-laying sites has been suggested as a potentially useful method for the improved management of their stocks. Our current knowledge of such habitats are poor. Three species of ray listed on BAP and OSPAR schedules to which egg-laying sites are not known. Electronic tagging, will aim to identify a method in locating these egg-laying sites. In partnership with Centre for Environmental Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS).
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £12,000.00 | Robert Enever |
| RP0568 | Is there potential for more joined up marine monitoring and data collection between statutory nature conservation agencies and industry? | The project aims to find ways that Statutory Nature Conservation Agencies (SNCA) and industry might better join up their monitoring. There are three stages to the project. Stage one will collate data, talk to stakeholders and identify areas of overlap, conflict and constraints. The second stage will develop a series of case studies to highlight scenarios. In the final stage a workshop will bring together stakeholders and develop a protocol that highlights ways in which success can be achieved as well as signposting major barriers, and discuss ways to remove them. The project will show that SNCAs are keen to work closely with developers.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £25,000.00 | James Bussell |
| RP0569 | Predicting recovery in intertidal soft sediment environments | Natural England is required to provide advice on suitable mitigation to reduce likely significant environmental effects from development. In soft sediment habitats we often advise that minimising the footprint is the best way to do this. However, depending on the sensitivity and recoverability of different sediments, and the intensity of impact, minimising the footprint might not always be the best approach. This project will review, appraise and sythesise the avialble evidence on this topic and highlight where we can give clear advice and where we are more uncertain.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £15,000.00 | James Bussell |
| RP0574 | Review of the impacts and monitoring requirements for tidal stream energy in sensitive habitats | Wave and tidal energy will be an increasingly important source of renewable energy in England. The number of curent projects is fairly small and limited to demonstartion sites. However, large commercial scale arrays are a real possibility. Natural England is using this time to proactively review the current evidence of impacts from wave and tide deployment, predict where this might be an issue in England, and develop a tool kit for staff to use in early enagement with this emerging sector.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £15,000.00 | James Bussell |
| RP0575 | Biosecurity in marine and freshwater environments | Invasive alien species are considered one of the greatest threats to biodiversity globally and have a major economic impact. We have a limited understanding of good biosecurity within the aquatic environment. This scoping study will review the evidence underpinning national and international advice on biosecurity in the marine and freshwater aquatic environment and provide evidence-based advice on what biosecurity measures should be employed to minimise the risk posed by non-native species and diseases, such as crayfish plague, which are transmitted by non-native species. Partnership with Defra
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £5,000.00 | James Bussell |
| RP0576 | Climate change risks in the marine environment | Understanding the vulnerability of our marine habitats and species to climate change is important in terms of informing action to improve resilience, better target our monitoring, inputting to work assessing projected impacts on habitats and raising awareness of the potential scope of habitats impacts. To date, there has been a range of reviews, and research projects that evaluate vulnerability of terrestrial landscapes, there is a paucity of information on the vulnerability of marine communities and a gap in terms of an approach to vulnerability assessment. This current work aims to fill that knowledge gap.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £15,000.00 | Robert Enever |
| RP0622 | The development and behaviour of shingle spits on Scolt Head Island NNR | Research into the development and behaviour of shingle spits on Scolt Head Island NNR, undertaken by Prof J Raper & D Livingstone of Kingston University & City University. Scolt is an international type locality for this aspect of coastal process research and work will inform sea-level rise scenarios.
| Michael Rooney |
Sustainable Land Use
| ID | Title | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RP0454 | Solent Disturbance and Mitigation Project | Research project co-ordinated by the Solent Forum to investigate the impacts of recreational pressure on the nationally and internationally important populations of birds that shelter, feed and breed in the Solent. The project will assess the current and future potential effects of visitor pressure and recreational use on these sites, including that arising from proposed new housing development within reach of the Solent shores. It will establish whether avoidance or mitigation measures are necessary to ensure the future protection of the Solent's important birds.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £5,000.00 | Allison Potts |
| RP0455 | The New Forest Disturbance Project | The New Forest Disturbance Project is a new partnership project which will investigate potential impacts of human disturbance on populations of Annex 1 bird species (Dartford warbler, woodlark and nightjar) within the New Forest Special Protection Area (SPA). This is a partnership project lead by New Forest National Park Authority.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £14,000.00 | Jackie Kelly |
| RP0548 | Economic planning using Ecosystems Approach for LEPs | The project aim is to produce a toolkit to support Local Enterprise Partnerships in developing strategic plans which take into account the available information about the economy/environment relationship. The toolkit will use the ecosystems approach as its organising framework. This financial year Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Cornwall will trial the toolkit. It is a joint piece of work between NE, EA, FC and DEFRA.
Natural England's financial contribution to this project is: £10,000.00 | Tim Sunderland |
