Natural Resource and Rural Affairs Science Unit B - Biodiversity and Landscape
The objective of the Natural Resource and Rural Affairs Science Unit B - Landcsape and Biodiversity (NRRASU B - Biodiversity and Landscape) is to provide scientific advice to the Wildlife, Countryside and Flood Management Directorate on all aspects of policy development, ensuring that procedures anticipate as early as possible those issues for which scientific advice or research will be needed. WCSU supports broadly-based, longer term research to help the Directorate respond to new and unexpected findings.
The team consists of three scientific officers, supported by one administrative officer. They can be contacted by email at the following address: david.webb@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
By phone: 0117 372 8452
By fax: 0117 372 8182
By post:
Defra
Zone 1/07a
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6EB
Roles and responsibilities
The principal responsibility of the Natural Resource and Rural affairs Science Unit B - Landscape and Biodiversity (NRRASU B - Biodiversity and Landscape) is to provide scientific advice to the Wildlife, Countryside and Flood Management Directorate policy branches which is both timely and relevant. Liaison with other government departments, non departmental public bodies (JNCC, EN, CC, SNH, CCW, EHSNI, EA) and NERC is also maintained to ensure WCFM's interests are represented in the co-ordination of strategic research, monitoring and information.
Advice is also afforded to Environmental Protection Statistics and Information Management (EPSIM) on the use and interpretation of wildlife and countryside information and indicators. Examples of current research areas and contract management include:
- Drivers of Countryside Change Report
- Countryside Survey 2000 (CS2000)
- Countryside Information System (CIS)
- ECOFACT
- Biodiversity Research Support Services
- New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora
- UK Climate Change
Further research details can be found in the Countryside Research Newsletter.
Page modified: 31 August
2004
Page published: 11 August 2000