| Biodiversity, referring to the variety of life and range of
plants, animals and other living things found within a specified
area, includes the soil, the combination of habitats and wildlife,
species diversity and native and exotic plants. Falkland in Bloom
and the voluntary organisations working alongside it therefore have
an important part to play in ensuring efforts are made in
encouraging this balance in nature.
We believe this is reflected in the projects that are undertaken
within the community and beyond, where the work taking place,
whether through clearance of invasive species or the planting of
trees, shrubs and plants, will help feed, shelter and sustain
wildlife of all kinds.
Both clearing of self-seeded sycamore and Japanese knotweed and
planting of alder, rowan, broom and wild rose, amongst others, were
done at The Clough as one example. In this area also, a grass
cutting policy was agreed with Fife Council to ensure disturbance to
a colony of water voles, a species now under threat, was kept to a
minimum, while log piles to provide shelter were created and new
kinds of wildflower began to appear after the clearances made.
 A grassed area at Balmblae, at one stage only supportive of
dandelions, has now been planted with additional
wildflower species with the help of local children and many more
plugs will be added in the current year. This should improve the
visual appeal of this extensive area as well as helping support
insect life.
The West Loan is now bounded on one side by a mixed hedge of
hawthorn, alder, elder and wild rose running all the way to the
Estate gates beside an area where hundreds of bluebells and
foxgloves were planted earlier. The grassed area now has a
herbaceous/shrub bed on its other edge intended to support insect
life and where a second phase of planting will see the inclusion of
native species including rowans and birches.
We recognize the need for a healthy balance of planting styles
throughout the community and have attempted to develop sustainable
approaches to our bedding schemes.
To these projects can be added the huge amount of work undertaken on
the outskirts of Falkland in the Estate where Fife Air Cadets,
Falkland Conservation Group and Falkland Stewards all contribute to
the promotion and conservation of wildlife. In an attempt to examine
the numbers of red squirrels, another threatened species, in the
woodland here, a survey was done last year.
Organised by Falkland Stewards, high above Maspie Den, a Community
Woodland is gradually taking shape and will mostly include deciduous
trees that are more beneficial for wildlife.
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By Kind Permission of Falkland Centre for
Stewardship. |
For some years we have attempted to
develop a healthy interest in matters like conservation and
biodiversity in the young people who regularly help with projects
and visit our base at Sugar Acre for regular tuition by the
Community Gardener/Project Officer.
See
Junior Falkland In Bloom |
