WBP Legacy Work

Ecosystems & Species Expert Groups

The groups are no longer active and information on this page is not current and is for reference purposes only.

The Wales Biodiversity Ecosystems Groups bring together habitat and relevant associated species interests at the Wales-level to provide an integrated, informed and independent overview of biodiversity and ecosystem conservation requirements. The Ecosystem & Species Expert Groups provide independent advice to Welsh Government, statutory authorities and others with management responsibilities that impact on biodiversity and strengthen the delivery mechanism between Wales-level ecosystem groups and LBAP partnerships/regional biodiversity groups.

The nine ecosystem groups have undertaken a mapping exercise of the priority habitat resource in Wales. The maps and the accompanying habitat synopsis provide partner organisations a mechanism to:

Prioritise action focusing on habitats/species in greatest need of management within each geographical area; Help identify key areas for large-scale projects; Provide a focus for drawing down external funding; Allows WBP Wales-level groups to concentrate on providing specific advice and assistance to LBAPs and WBP partner organizations on areas of national importance.

For detailed information relating to priority habitats in specific regions of Wales refer to the appropriate habitat category below.

The Nature Recovery Action Plan will focus on delivery of nature objectives in Wales. The Nature Recovery Action Implementation group will steer and drive the delivery at a national and local level. A series of specific task and finish groups will be established drawing on the expertise of the Wales’ Ecosystem and Species Expert Groups together with other working groups and the wider WBP membership.

The programme seeks to:

• Bring together practitioners, policy-makers and academics from across Wales to identify gaps in our evidence base;
• Provide a mechanism and route for translating these gaps into deliverable research projects;
• Prioritise and fund projects according to need (based on policy and delivery priorities)

1. Summary of research projects receiving grants 2019

The programme takes forward, refreshes and strengthens the work of the WBP Evidence Gaps Project. We thank all those who contributed to the project.

Steering Group

A steering group oversees the implementation of the programme. Its members include Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, Cardiff University Sustainable Places Research Institute, Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, JNCC, Plantlife, RSPB, Wales Environment Link and the Wildlife Trust.

Natural Resources Wales Marine Biodiversity Evidence Needs

Natural Resources Wales have identified priority evidence needs relating to some of their marine biodiversity work. For further information please visit the NRW website. The document below outlines the projects that NRW consider to be of high priority, and where they wish to explore opportunities for collaborative working.

1. NRW Marine Biodiversity Collaborative Research Priorities