‘Biodiversity Opportunity Areas Map’ Workshop Presentations

The Yorkshire and Humber Biodiversity Forum (YHBF) produced a regional ‘Biodiversity Opportunity Areas Map’ in autumn 2009. YHBF developed and issued this map in response to the desire from the regional biodiversity partnerships, to have one regional map, which could be seen as the definitive map to guide biodiversity action. The map was developed from a number of regional mapping initiatives, (and also utilising the England Habitat Network), and identified areas for which there was cross regional agreement . The map provides a regional framework/overview of the core areas where biodiversity action would have the greatest benefits. The primary aim of the map is both to raise the profile of biodiversity priorities outside of designated areas, and to help achieve a consensus across the region, both within the biodiversity partnership and local/regional government, of the priority areas for protection and delivery.

Two regional workshops were held on the 3rd and 4th February 2010 to help raise the profile, and discuss the applications of the map, and how it could be used to guide the identification and protection of ecological networks and biodiversity opportunity areas at a local scale. The workshops also looked at the policy drivers relating to biodiversity opportunity mapping and how this could be expressed in local development planning documents. Further discussion was also held with regards to the links between biodiversity mapping and green infrastructure mapping. A brief report on the workshop will follow. The speakers presentations are provided here.