The green infrastructure valuation toolkit user guide

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Building natural value for sustainable economic development: the green infrastructure valuation toolkit user guide KNOWLEDGE GAPS The primary issue for estimating recreational values is keeping abreast of new studies providing up-to-date information or a wider variety of activity and contextspecific benefit transfer values. The Environmental Value Reference Inventory (EVRI) database is the key repository for studies and is the first port of call. However, it could be worthwhile for a green infrastructure-specific filter to be developed, to aid the identification of relevant information and values. The collection of density information across a range of green infrastructure projects would be helpful to enable rapid and more robust demand assessments for a project. The frequency of participation in leisure uses is also an area requiring simplification. 130 AMION, Economic benefits of green infrastructure, 2008 131 O’Gorman and Bann, Valuing England’s terrestrial ecosystem services, a report to Defra, 2008 132 Bennet, 2003 cited in O’Gorman and Bann, Valuing England’s terrestrial ecosystem services, a report to Defra, 2008 133 Christie, 2006 cited in O’Gorman and Bann, Valuing England’s terrestrial ecosystem services, a report to Defra, 2008 134 Forestry Commission, 2003 135 Harnik, P and Welle, B Measuring the impact of a city park system, The Trust for Public Land, 2009 136 Eftec, Valuing environmental impacts: guidelines for the use of value transfer, 2010 59
Building natural value for sustainable economic development: the green infrastructure valuation toolkit user guide 10 Biodiversity Investment in green infrastructure can improve and protect habitats, provide ecosystem services such as pollination, and support biodiversity Relevant types of green spaces and features – all green infrastructure supports biodiversity, but the conservation, enhancement and restoration of biodiversity should be a key output of green infrastructure investment: green space in towns and cities provides habitat and migration routes, making the urban area more permeable designated sites – SSSIs, NNRs, SACs and so on [see table] – are recognised as having high biodiversity value. WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS Investment in green infrastructure can lead to better management of land, supporting ecosystem services* and biodiversity. Biodiversity 137 provides non-use values to individuals within society. These reflect peoples’ cultural concerns, or concerns about the preservation of particular habitats or species. These form the main pillar of the valuation approach in the toolkit. Investment in green infrastructure also contributes to maintaining critical supporting ecosystem services such as the carbon and water cycles. From these, direct and indirect benefits are realised, and these are covered in sections 1 and 2 of this guide. Investment in green infrastructure can help reverse habitat fragmentation and increase biodiversity. In urban areas, larger sites – urban parks and community woodland – are most valuable, but smaller sites play a vital role as part of a patchwork of green space through which species can move 138 . Urban trees are important, offering a range of habitats for insects and birds. Key factors influencing the value of green infrastructure for biodiversity are: the typology - the woodlands, urban forests, ponds, rivers and riverbanks, parks and gardens, allotments and cemeteries the quantity/area proximity of other sites. A small, isolated site is likely to have lower value than a larger site which forms part of a mosaic of green space. A study of four urban areas on Merseyside revealed that the greatest influence on their ecology was the proportion of green space, particularly trees. 139 Other studies 140 have shown the importance of networks of sites, allowing species to move between and through urbanised areas: this will be increasingly important for species’ adaptation to climate change. ASSESSING THE BENEFITS Many areas in the UK are subject to international, national or local habitat and biodiversity designations. Investment which improves these sites is likely to have high value. Designations include: SAC (Special Area of Conservation) International statutory designation - Natural England NNR (National Nature Reserve) National statutory designation - Natural England SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) LWS (Local Wildlife Site)/ BNS (Biological Notification site) RIGS (Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites) LNR (Local Nature Reserve) National statutory designation - Natural England Local non-statutory designation Local non-statutory designation Local statutory designation Other important strategies and targets for biodiversity improvements include: Ancient Woodlands UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Habitats and Species BOA (Biodiversity Opportunity Areas) Important networks of habitats National, non-statutory – Natural England and Forestry Commission National – Natural England. Translated into local action through the local BAP Non-statutory, local/regional Under national planning policy statement 9, biodiversity and geological conservation (PPS9) Even where they are not specially designated, some types of habitat always have special biodiversity value, including wetlands and lowland forest. Likewise, in urban areas, street trees and green space can be very important locally. 60
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The green infrastructure valuation toolkit user guide

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