Peatlands are wetland landscapes formed from the accumulation of dead and decaying plants over thousands of years in the presence of waterlogged conditions. This organic matter is called peat. They occupy 3% of land globally and 12% within the UK. There are multiple types of peatlands, three of which are common in the UK: Why …
The importance of woodlands Trees have umpteen benefits; biodiversity, climate change, flooding, air pollution, soil and human health (see this blog for more details). Woodlands are home to more wildlife species than any other habitat. The state of woodlands today Woodlands are essential landscapes but have been diminished and fractured worldwide through human-based activities, such …
Native woods and trees provide the means to tackle the significant environmental crises of our time. Here are a few key benefits based on facts from the Woodland Trust. Trees and climate change Trees are helpful in: Trees and flooding Extreme rainfall events arising from climate change increase the risk of flooding. Trees help reduce …
Composting takes materials we often consider general waste and produces a material highly valuable for soil. What is composting? Composting is the break down (decomposition) of organic material such as food and garden waste by microorganisms in the presence of oxygen, providing a nutrient-dense resource for enhancing soil quality. Why compost? How to compost at …
What is seagrass? If you have never heard of them, you are probably not alone. Seagrasses are flowering plants living in shallow waters along the coastline. Their bright green leaves form large, dense meadows under the sea. Among the 60-odd species, there are two species in the UK – dwarf eelgrass and eelgrass. It seems …
What is a mammal? Mammals, which includes us (and your furry pets), are vertebrate animals (with backbones) characterised by: Mammal species Mammals are diverse; they can be super small, such as bats weighing less than one gram, or impressively large, like the blue whale weighing in at over 180 metric tonnes. There are 5,500 species …
What is rewilding? Rewilding is the restoration of ecosystems by implementing interventions to the point at which nature can take care of itself. Richard Bunting presents a comprehensive picture of rewilding in his podcast episode. What is the difference between conservation and rewilding? Conservation is the protection and preservation of natural landscapes, ecosystems and species. …
As we learned from Nick Milestone’s podcast episode, using timber in construction reduces its carbon footprint. Personally, the thought of having more wood in our houses and buildings is very appealing. I know it is not just me, as Biophilia, our connection to nature, is a known phenomenon. The advantages of using timber Numerous advantages of …
What is an ecosystem? An ecosystem describes an environment and all the living organisms within it, such as plants, animals and other organisms, along with the interactions that occur between all the different elements. Ecosystems are vital to human existence as they provide people with water, food, building materials and other essential items. How have …
It was an absolute delight to have Dave Goulson on the podcast. I read Bee Quest a few years ago and have a good friend who keeps bees, so I had some idea about the importance of bees for pollination of our flowers and agricultural crops. More recently I read The Garden Jungle and in …
