Rewilding The Mound
Edinburgh's Nature Network
Northern Brown Argus, (c) National Trust Images
Edinburgh's Nature Network (ENN) is a tool that has been developed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, in collaboration with a group of over 40 multidisciplinary stakeholders, including government bodies, local authorities, NGOs, academic institutions and volunteer groups. The Nature Network tool identifies opportunities for improving the environment that will provide multiple benefits for both people and wildlife.
ENN highlights areas of the city with the highest demand for intervention to help tackle the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss, such as where there is the need to plant trees for cleaner air or where areas of wetland, which will hold water and reduce flooding, should be created. The tool has also been used to create 'stepping stone habitats' for species to travel around the city; including rare species such as the Northern Brown Argus butterfly, pollinators and more common species such as bats, foxes and badgers. In Edinburgh, the northern brown argus is only found in Holyrood Park, however, there is perfect habitat at the nearby Calton Hill. Unfortunately, this butterfly cannot reach Calton Hill as the distance is too far with no suitable habitat to bridge the gap, and so there is a problem to solve.
'The Mound'
Calton Hill (c) Getty Images
To tackle this, the Edinburgh Thriving Green Spaces team have been working with the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) to create habitat for the Northern Brown Argus at the LBG office, known as 'The Mound', in the city centre. This opportunity arose when LBG approached the SWT for help in developing a site-specific habitat creation and management plan to support their ambition to protect at least 30% of the greenspaces they occupy. The Mound is a prime stepping stone location for wildlife in the city, as it is at the centre of several larger sites designated for natural heritage, such as Calton Hill, Holyrood Park and Princes Street Gardens.
In collaboration with Butterfly Conservation Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland, a meadow consisting of a mix of plants to create habitat and provide a food resource for Northern Brown Argus, and other locally rare invertebrates, has been created.
Reflections
Holyrood Park, (c) Getty Images
This work demonstrates how corporations, local authorities and environmental NGOs can work together to have a positive outcome for nature. The hope is that The Mound will be the first of many stepping stone habitats throughout the city and that the community can also play their part to help connect Northern Brown Argus habitat from Holyrood to Calton Hill. Stepping stone habitats can be as small as windowsill planters with nectar-rich flowering plants, meaning that everyone can help connect habitats across built-up areas in the city, naturalising the spaces and contributing to delivering the Nature Network.
By Donya Davidson, Edited by Georgina Harvey