Broads Biodiversity Action Plan
‘Biodiversity’ describes the variety of life on earth. It includes all plants and animals and the unique habitats they have adapted to live in. This dynamic and complex interaction between different species of plants and animals and their environment create what is commonly defined as an ‘ecosystem’.
The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads are one of Europe’s most important wetlands for biodiversity and nature conservation. Essentially a freshwater ecosystem made up of meandering rivers interconnecting beautiful expanses of shallow water known as ‘The Broads’. The surrounding habitats include botanically rich fens, home to the rare Swallowtail butterfly, Norfolk Hawker dragonfly and the Bittern. The invertebrate and bird rich wet woodlands, grazing marshes with their network of unique aquatic plant and animal ditch communities, makes the Broads one of the most wildlife rich areas in the family of national parks.
The Broads is a fragile wetland which has come under increasing pressure from a variety of sources in the last century. Habitat loss and fragmentation, nutrient enrichment and pollution of waterways, and increasing threats from non-native species and rising sea levels associated with climate change, have seen a decline in species and habitats.
The Broads Authority is committed to halting and reversing this decline in species and habitats in the Broads. The Broads Biodiversity Action Plan (Broads BAP) is the Broads Authority’s response to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
The Broads BAP consists of two parts; the Broads Biodiversity Action Plan Framework Document and the Broads Biodiversity Action Plan Document. The Framework Document describes the special habitats and species of the Broads, and describes a series of case studies of partnership conservation projects.
The Action Plan document sets out the actions required by the Broads Authority for biodiversity enhancement, working with partners over the next five years (2009-2014). The Broads Authority is currently working with several partner organisations including Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership, Natural England, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Norfolk Wildlife Trust to ensure the wildlife and habitats of the Broads are conserved and enhanced for future generations to enjoy.
The Broads Authority has produced a Potential Habitat Opportunity Map as part of the BAP process.
If you would like to become involved with conservation projects in the Broads please see our volunteer opportunities.
For further information see our Conservation Reports.
