Greater Manchester’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) will act as a roadmap for how we tackle the biodiversity emergency and improve access to nature across the city-region over the next decade. A key part of this strategy is to set out how we can help nature recover by identifying priorities for different habitats. In this blog series we want to introduce some of our draft priorities for the GM LNRS.
The priorities in the LNRS are essentially the long-term outcomes that we all need to work towards for both habitats and species. Delivering on these priorities will help nature recover. The draft habitat priorities developed for the strategy are intended to benefit many local species, while also delivering wider social and economic benefits – such as reduced wildfire risk and improved water quality.
Our draft GM LNRS sets out priorities for the following habitats:
1) Urban green spaces and buildings
2) Woodlands, trees, scrub and hedgerows
3) Rivers, canals and waterbodies
4) Lowland mosslands and wetlands
5) Grasslands, farmlands and lowland heath
6) Upland moorlands
We will be asking for feedback on these draft priorities during our public consultation from 15 November 2024.
Our upland moorlands
Our next habitiat blog focuses on our upland moorlands.
Our upland moorland areas areas extend along much of the northern and eastern edges of the city-region, reaching from the Peak District National Park to the West Pennine moors. These priorities cover a range of moorland habitats, including blanket bog, upland heath, upland springs, flushes and fens, upland woodlands and grasslands.
As some of the biggest remaining natural spaces in the Greater Manchester city-region, these spaces could play a crucial role in large-scale nature recovery. There is potential to enhance and restore extensive areas of upland moorlands to better support nature. Restoring our uplands also helps adapt the city-region to climate change by reducing carbon emissions from peat soils and helping draw down more carbon. At the same time their restoration can help to reduce wildfire and flood risks.
As well as their ecological significance, these iconic landscapes are cultural significant to many people who live, work and visit these landscapes to spend time in nature. The priorities set out in this strategy aim to help support communities to meet the multiple demands on these habitats.
Setting out clear priorities for nature recovery across this habitatwill help communicate how we can all take action to enhance these spaces for nature and people.
Draft nature recovery priorities for upland moorlands
The GM LNRS outlines the following draft priorities for upland moorlands:
– Restore and rewet bare upland peat to active blanket bog and wet heath, to retain more carbon and hold more rainwater
– More varied and well-functioning upland habitats, with patchworks of restored bog, heath, trees, springs and flushes, reducing flood and wildfire risk
– More of our upland flushes are thriving, rich with sphagnum moss, rushes and sedges, supporting a diverse range of species
– More trees, small woods and scrub are naturally regenerating, across our uplands, helping slow and store water
– More upland communities, land managers and landowners are rewarded for helping nature recover
These priorities will help guide nature recovery, supporting species such as heather, red grouse and kestrels.
Taking action on these priorities
Each priority is accompanied by several practical actions that will positively contribute towards delivering these priorities. Everyone can play a role in taking action to deliver on these priorities, even the smallest actions can add up to make space for nature to thrive.
Examples of actions to support upland moorlands priorities:
– Encourage more diverse native vegetation
– Improve wildfire risk management
– Encourage sustainable recreation
– Reduce and slow land drainage
Hear more about our priorities
We want to make sure our plan for nature reflects the views of residents and businesses right across Greater Manchester, from city and town dwellers to those living in rural areas.
Keep an eye out for upcoming blogs on priorities for all our habitats across Greater Manchester and sign up for our GM Green City Newsletter to stay updated about our upcoming public consultation.
Please note that the priorities and practical actions outlined in this blog are draft versions and may change following our public consultation.
