Bat Survey Needs to be taken to Protect This Endangered Species

The main intention of bat survey is to make sure that bats are not intentionally hurt as they are protected under section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and regulation 39 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 in U.K. For example, you need to carry out development work that includes linear features such as woodland edges, hedgerows and canals nearby which bats may use for acquiring food. It is mandatory to execute bat survey as it is illegal to harm bats. Though, some bat surveys do not require a license, professional ecological consultants are best to seek help from. Before exploring the types of bat surveys, it would be interesting to know what law considers as illegal when it comes to harming bats:

• Intentionally kill, injure or possess bats
• Deliberately disturb wild animals that affect distribution of the species
• Unreasonably disrupt roosting bats or impede access to their roosts
• Destroying of eggs of bats
• Damaging breed sites or resting places of bats
• Illegally acquiring bats, transporting any part of it, selling or bartering
  

Usually, professional ecological consultants undertake following bat surveys:

• Bat survey regarding initial habitat: This survey is comprised of the efforts that check whether the site is able to help bats roost, commute and forage
• Building or bridge survey: In this survey, licensed ecological consultants check the buildings and bridges whether bats are residing in them
• Surveys of Trees: This type of bat survey involves qualified climbers who can climb the trees to check whether there are bats or not
• Underground site survey: This as the name suggests would include underground inspection of the bats by the ecologists
• Dawn and dusk survey: This is special type of bat survey in which ecologists come to the site before two hours of dawn and after two hours of dusk to check the movement and commuting of the bats
• Bat activity survey: This includes use of detectors and recorders to listen commuting and foraging of bats. This aims to analyze echolocation calls - unique for each species

Code for Sustainable Homes- A Step Change in Sustainable Home Building Practice

In 2004, Some scientist from the environmental authority of UK made a survey on sources of carbon dioxide. The environmental scientists were very serious about the negative impacts of climate change on human lives. During this survey, they found that a quarter of carbon dioxide is coming from the energy that we use to heat, light and run our homes. Thus the code for sustainable homes was introduced to maintain sustainable home building practices. It became operational as a nationalized rule in whole UK in 2007.

The code for sustainable homes measures the sustainability of every new home against the nine categories of sustainable design. The nine categories are Energy/CO 2, Water, Materials, Surface Water Runoff (flooding and flood prevention), Waste, Pollution, Health and Well-being, Management and Ecology. Based on these categories, every home is given one to six star ratings. The code for sustainable homes has set minimum standards for the use of energy and water at each level. Compliance to these standard is must for each person residing in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

From the launch of Code for sustainable homes, ecological consultants came in demand. They are qualified ecological scientist who knows arboriculture. Based on client’s requirement, they conduct surveys and provide resolutions. Ecological consultants also measure the sustainability of client’s homes and release the ratings. If a person’s home is not falling under the standard rating then they can guide the land owner to higher their rating. Apart from measuring sustainability of homes, ecological consultants various surveys like tree survey, reptile surveys, otter surveys, ecological scoping surveys, Bird surveys, etc.

People residing in regions other than UK, may not aware about the code for sustainable homes but adopting eco friendly home schemes they are indirectly following the same sustainability standards for home design. Because of the negative impacts of global warming, eco friendly homes are most preferred in all continents of the world. The goal behind code for sustainable homes and eco friendly home schemes is same which is to reduce carbon emission and create homes that are sustainable.

Let Professionals Take Care of Your Hard Efforts for Site Clearance

Let this then be restricted to the site clearance in terms of environment! Yes, freedom of expression is very much desired, but sometime expression needs to be confined for the sake of precision! When there is any human development being carried out, it is obvious that the natural inhabitants need to be relocated or removed, in a case where relocation is not possible. For example, there is a huge power plant being proposed on a site that is vacant for a long time, and has now become the shelter of reptile, water vole, badger and dormice. In such case, it is obvious that you are looking for a site clearance for successful establishment of power plant. This is the case of large establishment, but even the small establishments such as planning a home or even a small size business can face this issue. Normally, if the species are not violent and do not belong to the category of protected or endangered species, it is easier to relocate them. But, if they are endangered or protected, help from ecological consultants is indeed required. But, how would you decide that such species are protected or endangered? Tricky, isn’t it? Therefore, in any case, even to decide that they are not that difficult to relocate, you need help.

Professional ecological consultants often hold licenses to carry out site clearance. They also have trained professionals who have taken the course in this specialized area from esteemed organizations such as the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM). They have also foresters holding CS30 and CS31 certificate. These qualifications indeed make them carry out site clearance operations seamlessly in case the site is consisted of harmful, wildlife and other dangerous species. When approached, these ecological consultants are able to immediately identify the nature of the species and offer on the spot solution thereby clearing the hurdles from the way of proposed development and avoiding expensive delays and fines.

Invasive Japanese Knotweed Needs Systematic Approach to Get Eradicated

Invasion by the way is not the prerogative of humans! Mother Nature too has its own ways of invading the self-proclaimed Emperor of all species! Japanese Knotweed is among many ways of this silent or sometime noisy invasion. These intrusive species “blossom” from late summer to early autumn. It has 8 centimeter to 12 centimeter long clusters of small green-white flowers. As they say, if you love the rose, be prepared for the stems as well! But, here, a stem has obviously a stem. But wait! You are obviously wondering why this weed is called invasive right from the beginning! The wondering deserves explanation for sure! Japanese Knotweed grows in any place occupied or used by humans. It loves to grow in building crevices, landscapes, gardens, golf courses, road sides, moist areas etc. This obviously shatters human dreams or plans of any structural development. And, this is precisely the reason why it is deemed as invasive. It comes without notice, grows and invades! Due to this invasive nature of Japanese Knotweed, the government of Britain has listed it in Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 under which whoever grows this plant intentionally or causes it to grow is tantamount to commit an offense. Apart from this, if you are planning property development and facing the enormous growth of Japanese Knotweed at the site, it is advised to take the help of ecological consultants.

To remove this weed on your own is difficult because its roots are so powerful that they have the capacity to grow till seven years after the removal of the species! These roots are called rhizome and they are the main driving force in the growth of Japanese Knotweed. Usually, professional ecological consultants have in-depth knowledge of eradication of the invasive weeds. They have site specific and pragmatic approach to eradicate such invasive species like Japanese Knotweed.

Survey and Mitigation for White Clawed Crayfish

Native of Britain White clawed crayfish is widely strewn in South and West Europe and has reached to northern Spain. Fast flowing streams are their typical habitats. They also find shelter in tree roots. These fishes are olive brown in color with pale-pink front claws that are used for collecting food and during breeding. They are of around 15 cm in size according to Ecological consultants these species play an important role in understanding ecological status of various water bodies. They are found almost throughout the year but can be found in abundance during autumn and summer because these are the times when water temperature is high. It is from during the late September that the female crayfish carries eggs and this continues till May.

But the recent studies say that white clawed crayfish are declining drastically and due to this these species are being protected under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. According to law selling, killing or advertising this fish would be considered as a legal offence and if found guilty the person would have to pay £5000 as fine. Moving further the studies also say that persistency of American signal crayfish has also been one of the main reasons of it getting declined because these species were extensively aggressive and carried plague that had adverse effects on aquatic living beings. This plague spread by the non-native species contaminated the water which resulted in around 95% loss of crayfish. Various programs are being encouraged for conserving white clawed crayfish.

Survey and mitigation for White clawed crayfish are carried by licensed ecology consultancies between mid of July to End of September because during this period the flow of river is low. Ecological consultants conduct survey during night by using torch. Mitigation is done by relocating the fishes if needed and by creating proper fencing.

How Harmful Can Japanese Knotweed is?

Japanese knotweeds are aggressive species that have the capacity of crowding other vegetation. They crowd out all the vegetation. It is difficult to control them because they are vigorous rhizomes. They resprout from fragments and fall into the water and create new infestations. Japanese knotweed in Japan is controlled naturally by fungus and insects. It is one of those plants that‘s highly popular in Britain. It grows up to the rate of 10cm per day. It mostly spreads by human activities or by other natural means.

Japanese Knotweed has spread widely throughout Britain and has caused lots of damage to number of commercial and domestic sites. It is said that today, these species have occupied a site in every 10km area in England. It is also present in some of parts of Europe and Scotland. They greatly damage foundations, brick walls and concrete. Though people say that knotweeds prefer sunny location but it is not always true because they have the resistance to stand even the extreme environmental conditions.

Below listed are a few problems that are caused by them:

• Pitch areas are damaged
• Damage to paving and
• Cause damage to wall structures
• Harm foundations of building
• Damages various archaeological sites
• Reduces value of land
• Causes various Aesthetic issues
• Is dangerous for many insects
  

Besides the above listed problems caused by these species, a recent problem that has come up is that mortgage’s are being rejected saying that permission can be granted only if Japanese Knotweed is destroyed. Moreover it limits river access and also affects spare time opportunities.

Knotweed is aggressive and grows extremely quickly. Just within a week a small plant can grow up to a foot. A root fragment of half inch can produce hundreds of plants. Ecological consultants say that if not noticed then these knotweeds can destroy wildlife, vegetation and even wildlife habitat.

Ecology and surveying of water vole

Also known as water rates, water voles have a blunt nose and are rat-sized. They mostly have black or brown fur and short rounded ears with a tail covered with hair. It is said that a water vole is about 140-220mm in length and has a tail 95-140mm. Its weight varies from 150-300g. They survive by eating grasses and other vegetation found on the waterside. They hardly have a five months life span. Though there are a few species that are found with a lifespan of 2 and half years.

According to ecological consultants water voles are found throughout Britain. They are available on a large range in the northern parts of Scotland and are absent in Ireland. They are mostly found on water sides. They occur on a large scale in vegetated banks and on the water regions like lakes and rivers. This is the reason why it is named as water rats. When discussed about these species it was said that water voles are more active during the day time than at night. A male water vole lives along 130 meters of water bank whereas females live along 70 meters.

Studies say that Water voles mostly have three - four debris a year. But this completely depends on the weather as the first among them can be born in the months of March or April. But under cold conditions the breeding can delay upto May and even June. They take birth under a nest in the ground. These nests are mostly made from grasses and rushes. When born these voles are found to be hairless and blind. But they have a quick growth and are said to be weaned in a period of 14 days.

Water voles are said to be harmless but it Britain they at times destabilize river banks. They are found to be quite different on continents.

Giant Hogweed is Dangerous for Humans & Plants. Its Eradication is Inevitable!

Giant Hogweed is an invasive plant and phototoxic in nature which makes it highly hazardous for the human beings. If the human skin gets in contact with the sap, a chemical released by Gaint Hogweed which is sensitive to sun exposure, can cause severe skin inflammations and blistering. The blistering caused gradually turns in to the burns which can get more severe. In some cases the victims have to be hospitalized. Moreover the burns when cured leaves scars which can last for years.

Giant Hogweed can tremendously hurt human beings, if its toxic chemical sap gets into the human eye it can cause life time blindness. This phototoxic chemical is present in its leaves, roots, flowers, seeds and stem. This is not the limit; Giant Hogweed is indeed a predator for other native species of plants. As the name refers Giant Hogweed is very giant in size, it has large leaves and very strong deep roots which does not allow sunlight or any nutrients to reach to other plants and gradually destroy our native plants. Therefore to eradicate this killer weed is highly important if you want to save your landscape or property from destruction.

Being highly found in the UK and European territories the UK legislation, under Section 14(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 , has declared that growing or planting a Giant Hogweed is a criminal offence and guilty person is entitled to pay penalty of £5000 or also can be arrested for 6 months imprisonment. There are many ecological consultants who have expertise in controlling and eradicating Giant Hogweed.

Giant Hogweed produces more than 50,000 seeds every season, it means even if you cut the grown once, thousands of weeds are waiting down the ground to come up and take there place. Ecological Consultants adopt various manual and chemical treatments using herbicides to destroy the spread of Giant hogweed right from its roots.

Water vole survey and ecological engineering to save the species

Water Vole is a semi aquatic rodent found in Great Britain, Europe and Russia. In Britain, water voles live in burrows excavated within the banks of rivers, ditches, ponds, and streams. They survive up to 2 years and are protected species under UK legislation. As per Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) under Section 9 it is a criminal offense to intentionally kill, injure, take or sell the water vole and damage the places where they have shelter.

Before any development is commenced at riparian zone or areas it is prerequisite to do an environmental assessment to check the presence of the water voles and safeguarding the species from the proposed development. Water vole survey and mitigation can be helpful to meet the purpose.

Ecological consultants who are licensed from Natural England can undertake the Water vole survey. The period between mid April to mid September is the breeding duration when the water voles are more active and it is the best time to conduct water vole survey. As Water voles are shelter underground at the most, it is rare to have an actual sight to them, hence physical evidences are observed such as feeding areas, cutting patterns on vegetation (45 degree angle), burrows, ball nests, latrines, footprints and droppings.

If Water vole survey shows the presence of water voles at the development site, ecological consultants can give practical advice on mitigation techniques to be adopted to commence the development without hurting the species. It has been noticed that the most preferred technique used by ecologists is encouraging the water voles to shift from development area to new alternative habitat using water vole fencing. Depending on the site environmental conditions and development requirements, the water vole exclusion fencing systems are designed by licensed ecological consultants.

Using water vole survey and advanced ecological engineering, the reducing population of water voles can be controlled and saved from any development or amelioration.