'Biodiversity' is life in all its various forms and relationships. It encompasses the whole range of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates, plants, algae, fungi and more obscure micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses. It also includes the complex relationships between them and with their physical surroundings. No organism can exist in isolation from other living things, and each contributes to the balance of nature and the very survival of our planet.

Why does biodiversity matter? back to top

Biodiversity nourishes our quality of life. How? It provides food, clothing, shelter, health, relaxation, inspiration, recreation, tourism, water and flood management, opportunities for regeneration and education and carbon storage to limit global warming. Loss of biodiversity brings with it environmental, economic and spiritual loss. Biodiversity constantly responds to changes in the environment, but human activities are now changing and destroying biodiversity at an ever increasing rate, so leading to extinctions. By sustaining variety of life, and the natural processes that go hand in hand with it, we are cradling the planet on which we live with a life insurance policy. True to basic economics, we place more value on nature as it becomes less diverse, instead of valuing it at its strongest.

The diversity of species around us is mind-boggling! Influenced by a mixing bowl of ingredients of DNA, time, chance and environmental stimulants, 40,000* species of fungi, higher plants and animals live alongside us in the UK.  We share the planet with as many as 13 million!

* Includes fungi, higher plants, insects and spiders, fish and amphibians, mammals, birds, reptiles; other species such as algae and bacteria are not included in this estimate (Source 'Species UK').

What is the BBAP? back to top

The Bromley Biodiversity Action Plan or BBAP is, at it's simplest, a plan of action for Bromley's wildlife. But its significance truly rests in ensuring we make the content reality. The effort involved in turning the plan into action is huge! Everyone who lives or works in the Borough can play a part in helping wildlife. The heart of the BBAP is formed from the Habitat Action Plans.

The concept of biodiversity action planning was born at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Here, Britain , along with over 150 other countries, recognised the need for action to halt the worldwide loss of animals, plant species and genetic resources and joined in signing a 'Convention on Biological Diversity'. Since that time, national, regional and local action plans have been devised in the UK.

The BBAP is one of many non-statutory local biodiversity action plans in existence across the UK . Positive steps at a local level can contribute to 'keeping the balance' on the world stage. As London 's largest Borough, benefiting from a wealth of species and habitats, we have quite a responsibility! The challenges our wildlife faces in Bromley's urban and rural areas are many.

Many organisations and individuals have shaped the focus and direction of the BBAP as part of the Bromley Biodiversity Partnership. Together we aim to conserve, protect and enhance the biodiversity of the London Borough of Bromley.

What benefits does a BBAP bring? back to top

•  It identifies and promotes biodiversity that is important to our area and to local people, whilst also taking account of the international, national and regional scene.

•  It outlines action planned to help selected habitats and their associated species in Bromley over the period 2010 - 2014.

•  It promotes coordinated action, helping to guide and increase effort to benefit Bromley's wildlife.

How much biodiversity has Bromley got? back to top

The London Borough of Bromley boasts an impressive range of wildlife, having species and habitats in common with both Kent and London. It contains London 's largest area of countryside, which stretches to the crest of the North Downs, and a good proportion of London's semi-natural habitats. We have a good idea of the extent of habitats in Bromley due to the information arising from surveys undertaken since the 1980s and most recently in 2008-9. Many hectares of land in Bromley are designated as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) under Bromley’s planning policies. Wildlife is not restricted to the open countryside, but thrives in the urban areas too and in a wide range of situations. These urban habitats make a significant contribution to the biodiversity of Bromley and are residents' first and most frequent points of contact with the natural world.

How is it that Bromley supports so much biodiversity? back to top

The rich tapestry of habitats we have inherited in Bromley can be largely attributed to the varied geology and human activity through the millennia.

The north and western half of the Borough is capped with London Clay and Blackheath Beds. The Clay produces damp, heavy soils supporting oak dominated woodland (English and sessile) and, where these have been cleared, some of the few examples of species-rich neutral grassland occur. The Blackheath Beds form plateaux with thin, nutrient-poor acid soils; with woodland clearance and subsequent management, heathland developed, of which only a remnant remains. The Ravensbourne and the Cray river valleys which have cut roughly north-south, have exposed Woolwich and Reading Beds and Thanet Sand, while lining valley bottoms with alluvial deposits. Patches of alder woodland have survived in the damper valleys. The southern and eastern half of the Borough is dominated by the chalk and clay-with-flints, which forms part of the North Downs. Originally covered in deciduous woodland, progressive clearances were made for agriculture, which led to the development of species-rich chalk grassland, ancient hedgerows and remnant ancient woodlands.

What pressures are there on Bromley's wildlife? back to top

There has always been change in Bromley's countryside. Since the Second World War, however, the pressures on our wildlife have increased dramatically and consequently many species and habitats are in decline - some in rapid decline. Development, agricultural intensification, vandalism, recreational use and lack of understanding, are just some of the pressures local nature faces. The challenge is to influence future change for the benefit of wildlife as well as people - they need not be mutually exclusive. The Borough has a large area of farmland, for example, which offers many opportunities for both the production of food and the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. Parks and sports grounds provide a venue for recreation, but can be enhanced to support species able to thrive in a more heavily visited, urban setting.

What can we do to relieve the pressure? back to top

Appropriate management of habitats can help ensure suitable conditions are present for the majority of species. However, there are some rare and sensitive species, which require specific management regimes.

Habitat creation can boost biodiversity. Species have to be carefully chosen to match communities already found in Bromley. It must be remembered that long-established habitats such as species-rich chalk grassland, old hedgerows and ancient woodland cannot be easily created, if at all. Disturbance of these refuges can tip species over the edge and result in local extinctions.

It is not enough to conserve nature reserves in isolation in the hope that this will be enough to conserve local populations of species. It is vital that this is done in conjunction with positive action for wildlife in the wider countryside and in the urban areas too, so that they are able to cope with change. This not only helps create a network for wildlife now, but for the future as climate change occurs.

How have the species and habitats in the BBAP been chosen?
back to top

In drawing up and reviewing the BBAP, an evaluation of the wildlife in the Borough is made. Choice are made with the help of special criteria and the views of the Bromley Biodiversity Partnership Steering Group.

The list of Habitat Action Plans (HAPs) and is not exclusive, but does aim to show our specific intentions under the BBAP.  The Borough is host to many species and their needs aim to be taken into account as part of habitat management.  Survey and monitoring effort for these is important too. 

Some animals and plants act as 'flagship species' for habitats, such as reptiles. They provide us with clues about the quality and management of the habitat and a number are highlighted within the HAPs. There are many significant species not listed in  the HAPs but opportunities to help different wildlife in Bromley will arise and be pursued.

What is the Bromley Biodiversity Partnership? back to top

The Bromley Biodiversity Partnership includes anyone who is doing something for wildlife in Bromley and is helping to progress the targets set out under the BBAP! There are lots of ways to get involved.

A core partnership of Bromley Council , Kent Wildlife Trust, London Wildlife Trust, English Nature and the Orpington Field Club was established in 1998 to produce a BBAP. Following wider consultation including workshops, the first BBAP was published in March 1999. Since then, the Partnership has greatly expanded.

A Steering Group, involving local organisations, members of public and other key players, meets regularly to ensure that the BBAP remains relevant and focussed, the best approaches are taken and the effects of action are monitored.

Action is being taken constantly, including more high-profile activities arranged by local organisations as well as quiet on-going effort made by individual residents.

How do we hope to achieve action for biodiversity? back to top

By:

•  auditing biodiversity and its importance to local people.

•  implementing and influencing, where possible, the National and London targets for landscapes, designated sites, habitats and species found in the London Borough of Bromley.

•  raising awareness of biodiversity issues and improving availability of information to all residents of the Borough.

•  encouraging local people to be involved in the BBAP in a direct and practical way.

•  ensuring a long-term strategy for conserving, protecting and enhancing biodiversity exists and that it is regularly reviewed.

A number of themes form a common foundation for the BBAP. These relate to: policy; land and species management; advice, publicity and education; monitoring and research.

How does the BBAP fit in with London-wide plans? back to top

Much of the action accomplished through the BBAP contributes to action for Greater London's biodiversity, and vice versa. A great advantage of a regional approach is that it enables issues of a London-wide basis to have a louder voice and so receive greater attention.

The London Biodiversity Action Plan is an effective attempt to promote a common agenda amongst organisations and authorities working in the Capital with interest or influence on its wildlife, in order to make progress in a strategic way. Greenspace Information for Greater London (GIGL) aims to collate and manage all data for London's greenspaces, for example. The London Biodiversity Partnership brings together public, private and voluntary organisations working together for wildlife and people. Since its inception, various partners of the Bromley Biodiversity Partnership have influenced and contributed to the work of the London Biodiversity Partnership, through the efforts of its working groups and London Boroughs Biodiversity Forum (LBBF), for example. Valuing urban ecosystem services in London, ensuring protection and effective management of designated sites and promotion of London-wide landscape projects are just some of the projects with which the partnership is involved, represented by the Chair.

How does the BBAP fit in with England and UK plans? back to top

As chair, the London Borough of Bromley, has contributed to the England Biodiversity Forum and discussed and promoted relevant Bromley issues at regional and national workshops, conferences and exchange fairs.

Many projects have been used as examples of good practice at a regional and national level including the ‘Chalking Up London’s Downs Project’  and ‘Walking with Beetles’ Project’.   ‘The SUN Project’ and ‘Darwin’s Landscape Laboratory’ have promoted coordinated approaches in the UK, Europe and on a worldwide playing field.   

National grant schemes, which aim to integrate nature conservation with farming and forestry practices, have been promoted and adopted at the local level, so helping to meet Government targets.

Many local people are members of national organisations, which work towards the conservation of species and habitats across the country, and worldwide.