Natural Capital

Natural capital in Cornwall & Devon refers to the stock of renewable and non-renewable natural resources such as air, water, land, forests, minerals, and wildlife, all of which are essential to humans and living organisms. The benefits gained from natural capital are otherwise known as ‘ecosystem services’ and include clean air, water, food, soil creation, timber, erosion control, carbon storage, pollination, and recreation.

Having strong natural capital is critical for both human well-being and economic development and it plays a vital role in supporting a variety of sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism, and energy.

The depletion and degradation of natural capital from anthropogenic (industrialisation) activities, such as deforestation, pollution, and the overexploitation of resources, all pose significant threat to the sustainable development of our society. Understanding natural capital in Cornwall & Devon is becoming increasingly important in environmental management as it provides a framework for valuing and managing the benefits provided by nature, and for promoting sustainable practices which balance economic development with environmental protection.

How can Lost Habitat help you to enhance the Natural Capital of your land?

Lost Habitat work with landowners to promote the conservation and restoration of their natural capital, making informed decisions that will enhance the natural capital value of their land through the delivery of nature-based solutions benefitting business, communities, and the planet.

Nature-Based solutions, such as agroforestry and natural flood management, work with nature to protect, restore, and mimic the natural processes, helping to sequester carbon, mitigate flooding, improve soil health, and habitat for wildlife. This is turn enhances ecosystem services and provides a large benefit to human health and the environment.

Examples of Natural Capital Enhancements:

• Financing natural capital: The natural capital approach is now a focus of government policies that impact development, land management, farming, and nature restoration. For example, there are schemes which offer payments for enhancing ecosystem services, such as the Upstream Thinking Programme, the England Woodland Creation Offer, and Environmental Land Management schemes. Lost Habitat can advise and implement measures that are compatible with these public financing schemes.
• Farming and estate management: We can assist farmers and land managers to transition towards more sustainable farming practices, such as regenerative agriculture, which will enhance ecosystem services. Lost Habitat can advise and implement measures that will grant landowners access to the Farming in Protected Landscapes Scheme and Environmental Land Management schemes.
• The Environment Act 2021 means that a Biodiversity Net Gain of at least 10% for development will be mandatory as of February 2024. As part of this biodiversity strategy, landowners or managers will be able to create or enhance habitat for the purpose of selling biodiversity units. Lost Habitat can advise landowners and implement the work to meet the requirements of this policy.

Lost Habitat can help landowners in Cornwall & Devon wishing to enhance the natural capital of their land by promoting the value of natural resources and ecosystem services. We collaboratively with stakeholders to develop sustainable strategies that promote the conservation and restoration of natural capital. Please get in contact for more information.