Practical approaches to habitats: a new CIWEM guide

CIWEM’s new publication, Habitats Guide – Volume 1, is a useful resource for all those with an interest in habitat management, creation and restoration – from students to environmental practitioners.¹ Featuring a varied collection of habitat case studies,² it brings together good practice guidance and case study information with technical aspects of habitat management, and looks at the planning context, as well as domestic and EU legislation affecting habitats.

The chapters in this volume are written by fifteen different authors, all of whom are specialists in their fields. Each aims to provide an introduction to the habitat, consider relevant legislation, and set out best practice guidance for habitat management/creation/restoration. These principles are exemplified through case studies from around the UK and overseas, and reference is made to a wide range of texts, journal papers and websites to support the reader further.

The varied and up-to-the-minute case studies and practical guidance provide information on:

• Involving and winning support from local communities
• Choosing contractors and drawing up contracts
• Different methods of comparing habitats
• Monitoring as a key to project success
• Creating ‘role model’ projects
• The contribution of habitat development to economic and social regeneration.

Some of the more novel information provided by the book includes the challenge of replacing roosts for a bat community at Manchester Airport, the creation of ‘green’ roofs on inner-London public buildings, the contribution of golf courses to increasing biodiversity and supporting wildlife, and the potential for ‘habitat engineering’.

For a review copy of CIWEM’s Habitats Guide – Volume 1, contact Ilana Cravitz, CIWEM Press Officer, on 020 7269 5820; ilana@ciwem.com

Notes

1. The guide (ISBN 1 870752 78 3), sponsored by the Environment Agency, is £12.99 including p&p. To order, send a cheque for £12.99 payable to ‘CIWEM’ to Helen Wilson, CIWEM, 15 John Street, London, WC1N 2EB.

2. The chapters cover river restoration, marine habitats, coastal saltmarshes, estuaries, post-industrial and brownfield habitats, habitat creation through mineral extraction, recreational landscapes, golf courses, buildings, ancient woodland and habitat comparability.

3. CIWEM also publishes Environmental Careers: The Inside Guide. For details contact ilana@ciwem.com, tel. 020 7269 5820.

4. CIWEM is the leading professional body for the people who plan, protect and care for the environment and its resources. CIWEM provides educational opportunities and continuing professional development, independent information to the public and advice to government. CIWEM’s members in 96 countries include scientists, engineers and students. www.ciwem.com. Tel. 020 7269 5820. Press: ilana@ciwem.com

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