Biodiversity in Somerset

FdSc Landscape Design

Research Project
CU1.1/CU1.1.1

G. T Clement
4160 Words + tables, graphs and plans

Abstract
An investigation into biodiversity in local gardens. Discovering what biodiversity can be found, what should be present, what people want and how to improve the situation. A survey of local gardens, a questionnaire for landscape designers and a questionnaire of local residents along with results and analysis. Information on the promotion of biodiverse gardening, by whom and how well. The need for biodiversity and the implications and consequences of biodiversity loss, the current situation and improvements required.
The future of biodiversity, with the latest plans and personal recommendations.
A case study is included to establish the essential elements for a biodiverse local garden in the Mendip Region of Somerset complete with plans and planting lists.

Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Chapter 1. The essential elements for a biodiverse garden and biodiversity in Somerset.

Chapter 2. Case study

Chapter 3. Local survey

Chapter 4. Who is promoting biodiversity in gardens, how and how well?

Chapter 5. Who wants biodiversity in local gardens and what do they want?

Chapter 6. Implications and consequences of biodiversity loss.

Chapter 7. The future according to the authorities

Chapter 8. Conclusion

References

Appendix

Introduction
Biodiversity is a ‘hot’ topic. A modern term that is often used and less often understood. According to The Oxford English Dictionary it means:
‘the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable.’
This research sets out to: * Establish the essential elements for a biodiverse garden, with specifics to the Mendip region of Somerset. * To use my garden as a case study * To discover what levels of biodiversity exist in local gardens? * To discover

References: Baines. C., 2006. How to Make a Wildlife Garden. 2nd Edition. London. Frances Lincoln. Defra - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 2012. Defra - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. [ONLINE] Available at: http://defra.gov.uk. [Accessed 13 February 2012]. Hendy, J. 2005. Wild Gardens (Practical Gardner). Edition. London. Harper Colllins Mail Online JNCC - Adviser to Government on Nature Conservation . 2012. JNCC - Adviser to Government on Nature Conservation. [ONLINE] Available at: http://JNCC.defra.gov.uk. [Accessed 13 February 2012]. Lavelle,C., Lavelle, M., 2009. How to create a wildlife garden. Edition. London. Anness Publishing Ltd. London Wildlife Trust Packham, C., 2010. Chris Packham 's Back Garden Nature Reserve. Edition. New Holland Publishers Ltd. RHS Gardening . 2012. Home / RHS Gardening. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.rhs.org.uk. [Accessed 10 January 2012].www.rhs.org The RSPB Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. 2012. Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. [ONLINE] Available at: http://sciencedaily.com. [Accessed 15 February 2012]. Website of the UK government : Directgov. 2012. Website of the UK government : Directgov. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.direct.gov.uk. [Accessed 15 November 2011]. Fig 2 Google earth. 2011 Fig 3 All other images: Clement, 2011 Drawings: Clement, 2011 Garden for a living London | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | Yes | | Back Garden nature reserve(Packham,2010) | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | How to make a wildlife garden ( Baines,2000) | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Wild Gardens (Hendy,2005) | | | | | | | Yes | | | Yes | | How to create a wildlife garden (Lavelle,2009) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | 101 ideas for a wildlife friendly garden (Lavelle,2009) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Garden for a living London | | | | | | | | | | | Back Garden nature reserve(Packham,2010) | Yes | Yes | | Yes | | | | | | | How to make a wildlife garden ( Baines,2000) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | | | | | Wild Gardens (Hendy,2005) | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | | | | | | How to create a wildlife garden (Lavelle,2009) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | 101 ideas for a wildlife friendly garden (Lavelle,2009) | | | | | | | | | | Yes | Garden for a living London | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Back Garden nature reserve(Packham,2010) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | How to make a wildlife garden ( Baines,2000) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | | Wild Gardens (Hendy,2005) | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | How to create a wildlife garden (Lavelle,2009) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 101 ideas for a wildlife friendly garden (Lavelle,2009) | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Garden for a living London | | | Yes | | | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Extensive list | Back Garden nature reserve(Packham,2010) | Yes | | | | | | | | | Extensive list | How to make a wildlife garden ( Baines,2000) | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | | Yes | | Extensive list | Wild Gardens (Hendy,2005) | Yes | Yes | | | Yes | | | | | Details on wild plants | How to create a wildlife garden (Lavelle,2009) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Extensive list | 101 ideas for a wildlife friendly garden(Lavelle,2009) | Yes | | | | | | | | | Detailed plant list | Garden for a living London | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | Yes | | | | Yes | | Yes | Back Garden nature reserve(Packham,2010) | Yes | | Yes | | | | Yes | Yes | | Yes | | | | Yes | How to make a wildlife garden ( Baines,2000) | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Yes | | | Yes | | | | Yes | | Yes | Wild Gardens (Hendy,2005) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | How to create a wildlife garden (Lavelle,2009) | Yes | | Yes | | Yes | | Yes | | | | | | | Yes | 101 ideas for a wildlife friendly garden (Lavelle,2009) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Garden for a living London | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | | | | Yes | | | | Back Garden nature reserve(Packham,2010) | | Yes | Yes | Yes | | | Yes | | Yes | | | | How to make a wildlife garden ( Baines,2000) | | Yes | | | | | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Wild Gardens (Hendy,2005) | | | | | | | | | | | | |