Purple Horizons and why Geology Matters to Successful Nature Recovery

Summary

A two part talk looking at geological maps and how to use them to assist with habitat design and sustainability and how works to improve geological features can complement species focused works with a focus on invertebrates. Both talks will have a focus on the Purple Horizon project which aims to create a mosaic of heathland habitat linking Sutton Park and Cannock Chase.

Description

Graham Worton will give an online introduction to important abiotic aspects of habitats, and sources of information for these, using the Purple Horizons Flagship Nature Recovery project for Natural England as a case study in good practice for holistic nature conservation. This project recognised the importance of geology, soils and geomorphology to sustainable heathland mosaic habitat creation and recreating green infrastructure across an area stretching from Sutton Park , through North Walsall to Cannock Chase. The project adopted the ‘right thing in the right place’ principle for habitat enhancements in the hope that these will lead to more sustainable habitats with minimal future interventions to maintain in good condition.

Significant successes have been recorded in the early years and ongoing pollinator research to better understand the effectiveness of measures adopted is being conducted as part of Aaron Bhambra’s PhD for the University of Birmingham. Aaron will explain the findings of his PhD which is investigating the results of heathland restoration management, in the form of bare earth creation, for bee, wasp and hoverfly assemblages. A study was carried out across 8 sites between North Walsall and South Staffordshire over 2 years, producing over 6 football fields worth of exposed sandy nesting habitat for pollinators, and assessed how this management has influenced the species richness of insects found on these sites, utilizing drone technology to inform the analysis.

Graham Worton - Professional Chartered Geologist, working in the UK/ overseas with expertise in local geology, soils and geomorphology. Dudley’s borough geologist/ lead for the Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark, Black Country Geological Society Chair and Black Country Society President. 41 years practical nature conservation experience (working in land reclamation, planning & Development Control, museums and heritage. Also a member of the LSP & Natural England’s National Nature Reserves Steering Group (advising on geodiversity and holistic approaches for better ecosystem resilience/sustainability). A member of the Birmingham and Black Country Invertebrate Group (BIG) and working with NE on Biodiversity/Geodiversity case studies of local sites. Recent work involves collaborating with the University of Wolverhampton and the National Brownfield Institute on geo/biological relationships for Nature Recovery in urban brownfield sites, in the context of climate change, resilience and adaption projects and the WMCA in their LINC work.

Aaron Bhambra - A post-graduate researcher in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Birmingham carrying out research on pollinators and their responses to habitat fragmentation. I have experience of using drones (UAV) to monitor habitats over time and with invertebrate sampling techniques for a range of insect species.

Knowledge Level

Suitable for all

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