Nature Conservation

Beech Woodland, Silent Valley

What is Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience?

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, in all its forms and all its interactions. This includes everything from microorganisms, plants and animals to the natural systems that support them. Biodiversity describes our natural wealth, which makes up the living landscape around us, sustains ecological systems and enhances our quality of life.

Biodiversity has an intrinsic value to all living things. They are a key indicator of sustainable development.

Biodiversity enables our natural systems to function properly by providing many important services such as soil formation and nutrient recycling, pollution breakdown and absorption, as well as biological resources such as the water we drink, the air we breathe and the food we eat.

The Council recognises that resilient ecosystems underpinned by a biodiverse landscape deliver multiple benefits for nature, climate and the people of Blaenau Gwent. Resilience depends on:

  • Diversity between and within ecosystems
  • The extent of ecosystems
  • The connections between and within ecosystems
  • The condition of ecosystems
  • The adaptability of ecosystems

We are committed to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity and working in partnership with others to ensure the sustainability of the subsequent benefits and their contribution to the well-being goals.

Safeguarding Blaenau Gwent’s Biodiversity is not just the responsibility of the Council or environmental groups; it needs commitment from all of us!

The Biodiversity Duty

Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 places a duty on public authorities to seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity where it is within the proper exercise of their functions. In doing so, public authorities must seek to promote the resilience of ecosystems. This means that Blaenau Gwent Council must take a pro-active approach to improve and not reduce biodiversity when carrying out functions. The duty came into force on 21st May 2016 and replaces the earlier Biodiversity duty in the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.

In response to the Environment Act, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council developed and produced a Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience Forward Plan. This Forward Plan follows guidance prepared by Welsh Government and considers the seven Wellbeing Goals contained in the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, the principles of Sustainable Development objectives of the Nature Recovery Action Plan for Wales and the Ecosystem Approach Principles. There is a requirement to report on the plan every 3 years. The plan will be reviewed following the reporting.

Wildlife Sightings

It’s also really important to record the wildlife that you see in your garden or out on walks – it helps to build a picture of what species are found in different areas so that they can be better understood and protected.

You can submit records at www.sewbrecord.org.uk or download their app – LERC Wales App. You can also find out what nature has been recorded in your area at the Aderyn website aderyn.lercwales.org.uk

Related Documents

Contact Information