Critical Wetlands mapped across Glasgow City Region

The Glasgow and Clyde Valley (GCV) Green Network are proud to announce the launch of a crucial piece of work for Clyde Wetlands identifying locations where the creation, restoration or management of wetlands across our Region will help reverse habitat loss and restore wetland networks.

The Clyde Wetlands Opportunity Mapping Report, in partnership with Wildfowl & Wetland Trust, Edinburgh Napier University, Buglife Scotland, Green Action Trust, & NatureScot provides new data and evidence for the region that will help to identify Nature Networks and target delivery to greatest effect.

The GCV Green Network commissioned the study on behalf of partners to identify what type of wetlands remain, where they are located, and how well-connected they are for species moving through the landscape.

The study identified 12,000 wetland habitat patches across Glasgow City Region, including many wetland areas of high conservation value.

Wetlands are critically important, providing a unique habitat for a diverse range of species, as well as delivering for climate and people. They provide natural flood management, preventing homes and businesses from flooding, and help to improve our water quality. They are also one of the most effective carbon sinks on the planet.

Despite this, wetlands have been disappearing at an alarming rate, with 90% of UK wetlands lost in the last 100 years, making it one of our most threatened ecosystems.

Knowledge gained from the study will help to provide a framework to aid the targeting of resources for wetland creation and expansion. The study outputs will also underpin the identification and delivery of Wetland Nature Networks – which provide a strategic approach to wetland creation.

Already, opportunity mapping has identified over 2,000 opportunity areas where the creation of new wetlands or the expansion of existing wetlands would enahnce wetland connectivity.