Solihull Council

Biodiversity - Legislation and Habitat Management

What is Biodiversity?

The Convention on Biological Diversity defines biological diversity as:

"The variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems."

This means all species of plants and animals, including any genetic variations, and the complex ecosystems of which they are part. It is not restricted to rare or threatened species but includes the whole of the natural world from the commonplace to the critically endangered.

The world is losing biodiversity at an ever-increasing rate as a result of human activity. In the UK we have lost over 100 species during the last century, with many more species and habitats in danger of disappearing, especially at the local level.

Biodiversity legislation

The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) 2006 requires all public bodies to have regard to biodiversity conservation when carrying out their functions — their “biodiversity duty” — embedding consideration of biodiversity into every decision process.  Defra has published guidance to local authorities and other public bodies on implementing the duty. As part of the NERC Act, Natural England has compiled a list of habitats and species which are of principal importance for the conservation of biodiversity in England.

More information on the council's biodiversity policy is available as part of the Biodiversity policy, strategy & legislation document available under attachments on the right hand side of this page.

Habitat management

We aim to conserve and enhance the ecology and landscape character of the Borough. Managing and maintaining the broad range of biodiversity and actively protecting the best wildlife sites.

We work within a number of different habitats, implementing management plans, developing new habitats, increasing and protecting the quality of existing sites.

Contact Details

Mike Eastwood, Principal Landscape Architect. Tel: 0121 704 6391

Email: meastwood@solihull.gov.uk