{"id":14989,"date":"2021-08-13T09:37:04","date_gmt":"2021-08-13T08:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.futurebuild.nl\/?p=14989"},"modified":"2021-08-13T09:47:06","modified_gmt":"2021-08-13T08:47:06","slug":"why-habitat-matters-more-than-before","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.futurebuild.nl\/en\/why-habitat-matters-more-than-before\/","title":{"rendered":"Why habitat matters more than before"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Why habitat matters more than before, Adam Cane, Sustainability Lead, ACO Water Management<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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13 August 2021<\/p>

An opinion piece by Adam Cane, Suatainability Lead, ACO<\/strong><\/p>

Biodiversity in the UK is under threat. A report earlier this year by the RSPB found that the UK had lost the most amount of natural wildlife and wild spaces due to human activity when compared to the other G7 countries. Globally, the UK had the twelfth worst record of the 240 countries and territories.<\/p>

Concerns around wildlife do not end in the UK, either. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change\u2019s (IPCC) recent landmark report on climate change has highlighted critical levels of concern over the loss of wildlife habitat, where rising temperatures are set to have alarming and irreversible consequences. It serves a stark reminder that action is needed across the world to combat the damaging impact of climate change.<\/p>

In the UK, there are a number of planning regulations and protective measures in place for endangered species which the construction industry must adhere to. However, the IPCC report has shown the need to ramp up the conversation, in order to identify solutions which can protect biodiversity and habitats moving forward.<\/p>

Troubling statistics from the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) State of Nature report in 2019 found that Britain\u2019s terrestrial and freshwater species are declining at a rapid rate. According to the report, more species are decreasing (41%) than increasing (26%) in the last 50 years.<\/p>

Hedgehogs, for example, are suffering from a steep population decline. Since 2000, the number of hedgehogs has halved, according to a report in 2019, with rough estimates suggesting the population has dropped from 30 million to one million since the 1950s. As such, MPs have started to lead the case for hedgehogs to be added to Britain\u2019s list of protected animals.<\/p>

Tree coverage is also declining. According to a 2017 report<\/a>, only 13% of the UK\u2019s total land area is covered in trees. In comparison, the EU\u2019s coverage is 35%, indicating the issues facing the UK and the impact the built environment has on wildlife. The UK has also seen a 90% drop in lowland ponds on farmland since the 20th<\/sup> century. This reduction not only has negative consequences on animals, but it can also impact physical and mental wellbeing in humans.<\/p>

It\u2019s clear, therefore, that we must alter the way we live, and how we approach the built environment is key.<\/p>

The Impact of the Built Environment<\/strong><\/p>

The built environment has had a significant impact on biodiversity loss. Land use and construction practices contribute to the removal of natural habitats, causing fragmentation. Subsequently, this affects the diversity of individual species, genetic diversity and prevents migration and the occupation of a wider range of habitats. As such, there are ways in which the construction industry can help mitigate climate change and benefit biodiversity in the built environment. Nature-based solutions include:<\/p>