Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network (GCV Green Network) have just published their Clyde Wetlands Opportunity Mapping Report identifying locations where the creation, restoration or management of wetlands across the Region will help reverse habitat loss and restore wetland networks.

Wetlands are one of our most threatened ecosystems, with an estimated 75% of UK wetlands lost in the last 300 years.  And yet they are increasingly recognised as crucially important as a unique and biodiverse habitat, as well as for ecosystem services such as improving water quality, slowing the flow of water and natural flood management and effective carbon storage.

The Mapping Report will help GCV Green Network and their partners (Wildfowl & Wetland Trust, Edinburgh Napier University, Buglife Scotland, Green Action Trust, & NatureScot) identify Nature Networks and target delivery to greatest effect.

The process included:

• detailed mapping and data collection unique to the study and with collaboration from existing national recording schemes

• considering all wetland habitat types including linking watercourses

• assessing habitat connectivity/fragmentation and “opportunity areas” where habitat creation/expansion could improve connectivity

• GIS ‘least-cost’ network analyses

• opportunity mapping to target future wetland creation/expansion.

The study identified 12,000 wetland habitat patches across the Glasgow and Clyde Region area. The opportunity mapping identified 2,000 opportunity areas where the creation of new wetlands or the expansion of existing wetlands would enhance wetland connectivity. The work also helps with identifying and delivering Wetland Nature Networks, a new requirement for local authorities through NPF4.

This new and innovative work will make a significant contribution to collective knowledge and provide a sound basis on which to develop policy and target action. It is intended to be an approach that can be replicated across other areas in Scotland and at a range of scales.

Read the full Report