Green Infrastructure to Combat Climate Change: A Framework for ...

Basel Exhibition Centre’s green roof, Switzerland. Increased biodiversity
benefits of extra substrate depth (left); and solar panels (right)
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Helping Other
Species Adapt
As the climate changes, the range of species may
shift northwards and to higher altitudes. A number
of factors will limit their ability to move, including
their dispersal abilities and the nature of the
landscape (i.e. the fragmentation of habitats and
the permeability of the landscape in between). The
recent Lawton review states “we need a step-change
in our approach to wildlife conservation, from trying
to hang on to what we have, to one of large-scale
habitat restoration and recreation, under-pinned by
the re-establishment of ecological processes and
ecosystem services, for the benefits of both people
and wildlife” 48 . Establishing a coherent ecological
network, including managing linear corridors for
movement, will be increasingly important.
For other good practice see:
The Gowy and Mersey Washlands is a Living Landscapes project
in Cheshire www.cheshirewildlifetrust.co.uk/proj_Gowy_Mersey_
Washlands.htm
The Mosslands Project looks at the long term survival of a lowland
peat bog www.lancswt.org.uk/index.php/mosslands.php
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment’s
Sustainable Places website provides case studies of wildlife corridors
www.cabe.org.uk/sustainable-places/advice/wildlife-corridors
Wildflowers for Transport Projects is a best practice guide
for local authorities in Merseyside www.letstravelwise.org/
files/1975422928_2010%2001%20-%20Wildflower%20Guide.pdf
48. Lawton et al (2010). Making Space for Nature: a review of England’s wildlife
sites and ecological network. Report to Defra. www.defra.gov.uk/environment/
biodiversity/documents/201009space-for-nature.pdf
Case Study 14 (Basel, Switzerland)
Green Roof Policy
Basel has the highest density of green roofs
in the world, covering 23% of its flat roof area.
Following subsidies in the 1990s, the Building
and Planning Act was amended in 2002 so
that all new buildings with flat roofs must have
green roofs. On roofs over 500m 2 , the substrate
must be native soils and of varying depth. Basel
Exhibition Centre’s green roof shows the value
of different substrate depths for biodiversity; it
also has solar panels which provide shade for
species, and are more efficient as they are kept
cooler by the green roof.
www.urbanhabitats.org/v04n01/wildlife_full.html
www.greenroofs.org/grtok/policy_browse.
php?id=63&what=view
Case Study 15 (The Cumbria High Fells)
Responding To The Impacts Of Climate
Change On The Natural Environment
Natural England's Character Area Climate
Change project aimed to identify local
responses required to safeguard our natural
environment and our enjoyment of it in a
changing climate. Cumbria High Fells was one
of four Character Areas in England that were
selected to represent contrasting habitats and
landscapes. The project identified significant
biodiversity, landscape, recreational and
historic environment assets; assessed the
potential risks climate change poses to these;
and suggested practical actions to make them
more resilient to climate change.
www.naturalengland.org.uk/regions/north_west/ourwork/
climatechangeproject.aspx
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