IHN Work Gears up in Lothians and Fife
13 October 2010
Integrated Habitat Networks were the theme of a workshop organised by LFGNP on the 30th September.
The event brought together professionals from across Lothians and Fife who are involved in taking forward the green network agenda. In particular the workshop looked at practical applications for IHN and how it might be used as a tool for informing planning decisions for green infrastructure and ecosystem services provision.
Currently, Integrated Habitat Network Mapping is underway for the Lothians and Fife area as part of a wider initiative to provide consistent mapping and datasets for the whole of the Central Scotland Green Network area. This is being accompanied by an updated Phase 1 Habitat Survey for the Lothians which will be very useful information for conservationists and land managers in their day to day work.
The workshop covered a range of topics including experience from Glasgow and the Clyde Valley on the integration of IHN into development master-planning; varied examples from East Kilbride, Inverkip and Cowlairs were used to highlight the potential of IHN. A different approach from Scottish Borders Council was also shared. In particular this focused on how mapping of wetlands and river corridors could be used for identifying practical flood alleviation measures associated with new habitat creation.
There was also background to the development of IHN, how it functions and its strengths and weaknesses. The recently completed Fife IHN was used to illustrate the wider background and principles.
LFGNP Partnership Manager Ian Whitehead said “This is an exciting opportunity for us to use habitat mapping to inform development decisions within Lothians and Fife. We would encourage development planners and biodiversity professionals to see the value of IHN as a practical tool in their everyday work. We must ensure that habitat network and connectivity principles are mainstreamed into the new generation of Local Development Plans”.
For more background to the IHN project click here
For further information, please contact:
Ian Whitehead
Edinburgh & Lothians Forest Habitat Network Officer
Tel: 0131 654 1933
Email: ian@lfgnp.org.uk
Lothians and Fife will have attractive, biodiverse networks of woodlands, greenspaces and semi natural habitats.
"Managing and expanding green infrastructure will help to create more attractive urban and rural landscapes where people want to live & work..."
Michael Russell MSP