Lancashire Biodiversity Action Plan

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) was published in January 1994 in response to the Convention on Biological Diversity which was signed by the UK at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

Further information on National and Local Biodiversity Action Plans is available at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs* and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee* web sites.

In common with much of the rest of the country, the biodiversity of Lancashire has undergone a significant decline. Large tracts of the County have now lost much of their former interest, what remains tends to be concentrated on relict habitats which are often fragmented. The conservation of these areas is frequently best achieved by their identification as statutory or non-statutory wildlife sites which should receive appropriate management. These sites are seen as key features in the delivery of biodiversity objectives.

The County Council is one of the organizations playing a key role in the development and implementation of the local Biodiversity Action Plan for Lancashire.

Work on the production of the plan is being led by the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and N. Merseyside. The plan was published as a CD ROM in April 2001 and can be viewed on-line at www.lbap.org.uk*. It contains detailed action plans for a first tranch ofhabitats and species. These are listed below.

HABITATS

Broadleaved and Mixed Woodland
Species-rich Neutral Grassland
Calcareous Grassland
Reedbed
Mosslands (lowland raised bog)
Moorland/Fell
Limestone Pavement
Arable and Horticultural Farmland
Sand Dune
Rivers and Streams

SPECIES

Invertebrates Prostoma jenningsi (nemertean worm)
Northern Brown Argus
Large Heath
Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Belted Beauty
Formica rufa
Formicoxenus nitidulus (ants)
Osmia parietina (mason bee)
Doros profuges (hoverfly)
Vertigo Snails
Freshwater pearl Mussel
Freshwater White-Clawed Crayfish

Plants

Lancaster Whitebeam
Rock Sea-lavenders
Purple Ramping-fumitory
Ladys-slipper

Birds

Lapwing
Reed Bunting
Skylark
Song Thrush
Twite

Mammals

Brown Hare
Red Squirrel
Bats
Water Vole
Otter

Amphibians

Natterjack
Great Crested Newt